Berry Hill Plantation facts for kids
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Berry Hill
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Berry Hill
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | S of jct. of Rtes. 659 and 682, near South Boston, Virginia |
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| Area | 1,275 acres (516 ha) (landmarked area) |
| Built | 1839 |
| Architect | John E. Johnson |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 69000246 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 25, 1969 |
| Designated NHL | November 11, 1971 |
Berry Hill Plantation, often called just Berry Hill, is a really old and important estate in Halifax County, Virginia. It's located on the west side of South Boston, Virginia. The main house, which was changed around 1839, is a fantastic example of Greek Revival architecture. This style looks a lot like ancient Greek temples! Because of its history and beauty, Berry Hill was named a National Historic Landmark in 1969. This means it's a very special place in American history. Today, the part of the plantation that still exists is used as a place for meetings and events.
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What Makes Berry Hill Special?
Berry Hill is a large property, about 650 acres (263 hectares) today. It sits between River Road and the Dan River. The main house is a big, two-story building made of brick. It's covered in a smooth finish called stucco and has a roof with sloped sides.
A Look at the Main House
The front of the main house is designed to look like the famous Parthenon temple in Greece. It has eight huge columns, called Doric columns, that hold up the roof structure. This makes the house look very grand and impressive, just like an ancient temple!
How Big Was Berry Hill?
At its biggest, Berry Hill Plantation was enormous, covering about 3,600 acres (1,457 hectares). This made it one of the largest plantations in all of Virginia. The property also includes a historic cemetery where many people who lived and worked on the plantation are buried. You can also see well-preserved buildings where workers lived long ago.
Who Lived at Berry Hill?
The land for Berry Hill was first owned by Isaac Coles. He started using enslaved people to work on the plantation in 1802. Over the years, the plantation changed owners a few times. In 1832, James Coles Bruce took control of Berry Hill. He is the one who transformed the older 18th-century brick house into the amazing Greek Revival mansion we see today. It's thought that Bruce got ideas from an architect named John E. Johnson. Johnson also designed Staunton Hill, which was the mansion of Bruce's half-brother.
Berry Hill Today
Today, the beautiful main house is the center of the Berry Hill Resort and Conference Center. It's a popular spot for people to stay, hold weddings, and host business meetings. It's a great example of how historic places can be preserved and used in new ways.
Gallery
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Berry Hill in 2017
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Stone living quarters
