Edgewood Plantation and Harrison's Mill facts for kids
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Edgewood
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | W. of Charles City on VA 5, Charles City, Virginia |
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| Area | 4 acres (1.6 ha) |
| Built | 1854 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Cottage |
| NRHP reference No. | 83003265 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | February 10, 1983 |
Edgewood Plantation is a beautiful old house located in Charles City County, Virginia. It sits north of the James River, a famous river in Virginia. You can find it along State Route 5, a scenic road that connects the cities of Richmond and Williamsburg. Edgewood is so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. This means it's a special place worth protecting!
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Building Edgewood: A Gothic Home
Edgewood Plantation was built around 1854. It's a great example of Gothic Revival architecture. This style looks a bit like old castles or churches. It has pointy arches and tall, steep roofs. Edgewood is the only Gothic Revival house along the James River.
The house has a traditional center hall plan. This means a long hallway runs through the middle. A tall, three-story staircase is found under four steeply-pitched gables. Gables are the triangular parts of a wall under a sloping roof. The house was built for Richard S. Rowland. He moved from New Jersey to run a gristmill on the property.
The Historic Mill at Edgewood
The mill at Edgewood is very old. It was built in the 1700s by Benjamin Harrison V. He was a famous person from Berkeley Plantation. This mill was important for grinding corn.
The mill saw a lot of history. During the American Revolutionary War, British troops visited it. They were led by Benedict Arnold. Later, during the American Civil War, General J.E.B. Stuart stopped by.
Edgewood During the Civil War
The American Civil War was a very difficult time. Edgewood played a small part in it. The third floor of the house was used as a lookout spot. Confederate generals watched from there. Their troops were camped nearby at Berkeley.
The gristmill at Edgewood was busy during the war. It ground corn for both the Union and Confederate soldiers. On June 15, 1862, General J.E.B. Stuart visited Edgewood. He was on his way to Richmond. He needed to warn General Robert E. Lee about the Union Army's strength.
What Happened Next at Edgewood
After the Civil War, Edgewood changed over time. In the early 1900s, it became a restaurant. It was called The Blue Tea Pot. This was the first restaurant in Charles City County!
Today, Edgewood is a bed and breakfast. People can rent rooms and stay overnight. They also offer special Victorian high teas. You can even take themed tours of the house.
Visiting Edgewood Plantation
You can visit the grounds of Edgewood Plantation. They are open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you want to see inside the house, you can take a guided tour. Just make sure to make an appointment first!
