Hazelwood (Port Royal, Virginia) facts for kids
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Hazelwood
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Fields at the site
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| Nearest city | Port Royal, Virginia |
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| Area | 130 acres (53 ha) |
| Built | 1750 |
| NRHP reference No. | 74002111 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | January 11, 1974 |
Hazelwood is a special historical place located near Port Royal, Virginia, in Caroline County, Virginia. It was once a large farm, known as a plantation, with a big house. This house was built around 1750. Hazelwood was the home of an important person named John Taylor of Caroline. He was a famous writer and a U.S. Senator.
Sadly, the original Hazelwood house was destroyed during the American Civil War. Today, Hazelwood is recognized as an archaeological site. This means it's a place where scientists can dig and study old objects to learn about the past.
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What is Hazelwood?
Hazelwood is more than just an old farm. It's a historic site where people lived and worked many years ago. An archaeological site is like a giant puzzle. Scientists called archaeologists carefully dig up clues, like old tools, pottery, or parts of buildings. These clues help them understand how people lived in the past.
The Hazelwood Plantation
A plantation was a large farm in the southern United States, especially before the Civil War. These farms often grew crops like tobacco or cotton. Hazelwood was a plantation that played a part in the history of Virginia. It covered about 130 acres, which is like 130 football fields!
Life at Hazelwood
Life on a plantation like Hazelwood involved many people. The main house was where the owner's family lived. There were also many other buildings, such as barns, kitchens, and homes for the workers. The daily activities revolved around farming and managing the land.
Who Was John Taylor of Caroline?
John Taylor of Caroline (1753-1824) was a very important person in early American history. He was born in Virginia and became a lawyer, a politician, and a writer. He was known for his strong beliefs about how the government should work.
A U.S. Senator
John Taylor served as a U.S. Senator for Virginia several times. A U.S. Senator is a person elected to represent their state in the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C. Senators help make laws for the whole country. John Taylor was known for his ideas about farming and how the economy should be run. He believed in protecting the rights of farmers and states.
A Political Economist
John Taylor was also called a "political economist." This means he studied how government and money work together. He wrote many books and essays about his ideas. He believed that a strong farming economy was important for the country. His writings influenced many people during his time.
Hazelwood's Historical Importance
Hazelwood is important because of its connection to John Taylor of Caroline and because it helps us understand what life was like on a Virginia plantation. The site gives clues about the architecture of the house and the layout of the farm.
National Register of Historic Places
In 1974, Hazelwood was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list kept by the United States government. When a place is on this list, it means it's considered very important to American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. Being on the list helps protect these places so future generations can learn from them.
