Berry Hill Plantation
In researching other plantations, we wanted to make sure that we looked within our own state of Virginia. We searched for a plantation that was being used as a bed and breakfast so we could take notes of things we want to do, things we don’t want to do and things that we never thought of. This brought us to the Berry Hill Plantation in South Boston, Virginia.
This plantation sits on 650 acres and is one of the largest plantations in Virginia. The main house was built in 1842 by James Coles Bruce, a Virginia delegate ad landowner. The main house was modeled after the Second Bank of the United States in Philadelphia and is a great example of Greek Revival architecture.
When you arrive, you drive along a long tree lined drive way that rolls pass fields that are dotted with old stone slaves quarters. In the distances you see on a small hill, what looks like a Parthenon style home with a circular drive. On either side are two smaller versions of the main house.
As you enter the main foyer, you are greeted by a sweeping floating staircase that is a copy of the same staircase in the Second Bank of the United States.
On the left side of the home, you have the formal parlor and library rooms.
Just behind the library are windows that look out into the conservatory and back court yard.
On the right side of the home are rooms that have been turned into a small restaurant called the Carrington. These rooms are filled with family photos and are decorated in period style.
The back courtyard has two wings extending off the back. One is the newer Reception Hall, the other is the older Kitchen.
The main house has two bedrooms suites, both upstairs. They include a full bathroom and a separate sitting room.
Berry Hill has been turned into a conference center as well. You wouldn’t know it coming up to the main house, but behind a small hill is a 92 room hotel and conference center. It offers an indoor pool, spa, exercise room, his / her saunas and tennis court. They also offer guided historic tours of the main house. On Saturdays and Sundays, the Reception Hall opens to the public for brunch. On our visit here, we had the chance to meet the owner, who lives in Baltimore and had a chance to discuss the ins and outs of his B&B. Their main focus is on Business Conferences and Weddings.
The one thing that struck us about Berry Hill was the architectural detail the main house had as well as the historic significance of the home and grounds. Below are some of the details that caught our eye.
Formal Parlor Fireplace Detail
Front Column
View down stairs
Former Call Bells
Gable Detail
Formal Parlor Ceiling Detail
Formal Parlor Chandelier
Barn
Front Hall Chandelier
Stone Slave Cabin Ruins
Library window shutters
Wow, just wow. And great photography, too.
It was a “Wow”. That is what we want to take away from Berry Hill and have at our plantation. Thank you for stopping by!
Being Australian i wasn’t real sure what a plantation was, this pictures give me a mutch better idea!
You know I think we sometimes take for granted that everyone knows what we are talking about when we say plantation. But in viewing the different locations that have viewed our blog, I think we are going to have to start thinking more globally. Once we get the okay to move forward with the announcement, we will be able to cover more of that it is and what it was like. Thank you for stopping by!
Wow, such an old, beautiful house! I am haunted by such manors/buildings, the interior is lovely too!
It was a great place! You can just “feel” the history here. Thank you for stopping by!
I’ve never before seen flooring like the one in the Main Foyer, it is almost like a ceiling, in fact when I saw the photo taken from the top of the stairs, I thought I was looking at the ceiling. It’s a beautiful building and very nice photos. I can’t wait to see photos of your own building.
The floor was such a beautiful detail. That was so much at every turn, it was hard not to know what to shoot. We hope that we have the same impression once we open. Thank you for stopping by!
Spectacular presentation and wondrous architectural detail.
Loved the Parthenon-like stately mansions in the splendid location and the interior decor.
Only the sculptured gable and the decorated metopes were missing …
Most inviting atmosphere in every sense !!!I!!
This place was really hard not to like. We adore details so we could have spent days looking around. That is one of the things we wanted to take away from this place. Everything is in the details.
This is beautiful. I’ve been to South Boston many times, but have never seen this. Thanks for sharing your photos.
This place is off the beaten path so unless you knew about it, you would never see it. That is one thing we are kind of glad about our place. We are where anyone could just drive by. (oops, another hint)
What a beautiful plantation! Thank you for stopping by my food blog, Some Kinda Good, and liking my Summer Fruit Jam and Bread post. Your visit is greatly appreciated! I will definitely look y’all up if I am ever over your way. 🙂
Rebekahafaulk.wordpress.com
Thank you! I have been looking through blogs for some good jam recipes to have on hand at the plantation. I look forward to seeing more of your blog in the future! We welcome a visit once we open!
Oh the architecture is beautiful! I love the foyer!
I loved that part too! I was just beautiful!
Lovely and incredible! I wish I live somewhere like this in the next life.
Thank you, but why wait until the next life! This life will do!
Just lovely…. the interiors are so classically beautiful. Thanks for sharing these 🙂
Thank you for stopping by! More to come!
Oh, what a beautiful home! So stately and elegant, and I love your attention to detail. Lovely photos, too! I especially appreciate your sharing the gardens and Parthenon with us. 🙂
Thank you! We enjoyed taking the pictures! More to come soon!
Absolutely breathtaking! Thank you for posting about this plantation. The double set of pocket doors are classic–as are the details in the finishes. I love the barn too!
You are welcome! We enjoy sharing our “research”! The barn was in the back with two other older building, maybe storage buildings.
Wonderful details! I can’t wait for your big announcement! You are really building up some anticipation.
I hope it is not too far for a weekend visit.
Thank you! I can’t wait to tell you! I just hope I don’t slip up and reveal it before I can! It is getting harder each day!
What an amazing place – such beautiful architecture! Love that double staircase.
It is a really beautiful place. Our room was just up those stairs. It was so much fun climbing them.
I adore the ceiling details!
Aren’t they beautiful! There is another plantation just across the river from ours that is a private plantation. In January, I got to visit it with my son for my birthday. There details are even better! I just can’t reveal it yet because it would give away where ours is!
I’m Tommaso, from Italy. I own the blog simplefoodtastessogood you have just visited. I hope you appreciated my recipies. Some more will come. I share a great passion with my wife for the authentic Italian cuisine. Our intent is to post tasty recipies for foreigners. Because of this it would be great if you could advertize our blog in the USA. I’ll do the same here. Leave a comment in our blog!!!
Beautiful photos…thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you for stopping by!
This is so pretty! We have to get down there at some point!
Thank you! We welcome your visit!
First, Thank you very much for visiting and liking my post. It led me to your own site, and this beautiful plantation! I’m so looking forward to following you on this journey. Wonderful site and that home- oh my! A new chapter in the legacy of a very special place. Congratulations! I think you are just the right family to call this one home.
Thank you! We like to think we are the right ones to do this. Someone not too long ago could me the “custodian of the history” of this house. I like to think that we are bring it back to life. It has been without a residence since 1981. We also look forward to seeing more of your blog!
Great photos, what a house. The older kitchen is very cool….
Thank you! We loved visiting Berry Hill. But if you want to see a really old kitchen, wait until you see our plantation’s Summer Kitchen. It dates back to the 1790s. I can’t wait to share it with everyone!
What a dream. It is absolutely stunning. The windows, open rooms, colors, detail. I can’t say it any better way, so I repeat, what a dream!
Thank you! The only thing better is living it!
Amazing photo documentation, breathtaking detail. Being a history lover, the planatation era has always both fascinated and repelled me, but whatever our personal feelings, it is a part of all of us. Congratulations on having the courage to follow a dream, and I have the feeling it will be an adventure in every sense of the word. I’m anxious to follow your journey and excited for you for each step. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you! It has been a great adventure! We love hisotry just as much and this plantation is loaded with it!
What a gorgeous home! We noticed in parts of North Carolina the plantation homes were not as grand but still very elegant and beautiful. This looks like the house they used for North and South – I was told it was an actual home they used for the outside scenes. I am going to learn enjoying all about Virginia and these stately homes. Blessings, Patty
Thank you! We really enjoyed our visit to Berry Hill. It is very beautiful and just so Southern grand!