Sherwood Forest Plantation facts for kids
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John Tyler House (Sherwood Forest)
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Sherwood Forest in 2021
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 Location in Virginia
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| Nearest city | Charles City, Virginia |
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| Area | 40 acres (16 ha) |
| Built | 1842 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000922 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | July 4, 1961 |
Sherwood Forest Plantation is a historic home located in Charles City County, Virginia. It sits on the north bank of the James River. This large house was built in 1730. It became the home of John Tyler, who was the tenth president of the United States. He lived here for the last 20 years of his life.
The house is found on State Route 5. This road is a beautiful scenic byway that connects the cities of Richmond and Williamsburg. Sherwood Forest is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the river. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1961 because of its important history.
The Story of Sherwood Forest
Many people think Sherwood Forest is the only private home owned by two different U.S. presidents. However, this isn't quite right. While William Henry Harrison (another president) owned land nearby, it wasn't the same exact property.
John Tyler bought this plantation in 1842. He bought it from his cousin, Collier Minge. Tyler moved here after he finished his time as president in the White House.
Why John Tyler Renamed His Home
When John Tyler bought the plantation in 1842, he gave it a new name: Sherwood Forest. He chose this name because he felt like an "outlaw" from the Whig political party. He liked this spot because it was close to where he was born, at Greenway Plantation.
He retired to Sherwood Forest in 1845 and lived there for the rest of his life. He lived with his second wife, Julia Gardiner Tyler, and many of his children. He had 15 children in total from his two marriages. His youngest child, Pearl, was born in 1860 when he was 70 years old.
Sherwood Forest During the Civil War
In 1861, tensions grew in the United States, leading to the American Civil War. John Tyler supported Virginia's decision to leave the Union. He passed away in January 1862.
Later that spring, soldiers from the Union Army occupied the house. This happened during a military campaign in 1862 and again in 1864. During the 1864 occupation, the Battle of Wilson's Wharf was fought nearby. When an Ohio regiment left the house in 1864, they tried to burn it down. They wanted to punish Tyler's support for the Confederacy. Luckily, someone loyal to the family quickly put out the fire, and the house was not badly damaged.
Unique Features of the House
The Sherwood Forest house is famous for its incredible length. It measures 301 feet (91 meters) long! This makes it the longest framed house in the United States.
One special part of the house is its long, narrow ballroom. President Tyler added this section to the house. He wanted to make space for a popular dance style of his time. Today, we might call it "line dancing," but back then, it was known as the "Virginia reel."
When people started restoring the house in the mid-1970s, they found something interesting. They were removing some old storm windows. Records showed that President Tyler himself had built these windows! So, they decided to keep them as part of the house's history.
Sherwood Forest Today
The house has been owned by the Tyler family ever since John Tyler bought it in 1842. Today, it belongs to Harrison Ruffin Tyler. He is President Tyler's grandson. He and his wife, Frances Payne Bouknight Tyler, worked to restore the home and its grounds. They used information from over 47,000 letters that described the house's decorations, furniture, and gardens.
You can visit Sherwood Forest today. Tours of the house are available by appointment. The grounds are open every day from 9 AM to 5 PM for self-guided tours. They are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The Tyler Family Cemetery
There is a special pet cemetery on the property. Tyler family pets have been, and still are, buried here. The most famous pet buried here is John Tyler's horse, The General.
The staff at Sherwood Forest also take care of a small grove of trees. This is where John Tyler had planned to be buried. However, in January 1862, while in Richmond, he became very ill. He was there to serve in the Confederate House of Representatives. He died while planning his return to Sherwood Forest. His wish to be buried at his home was not followed. Instead, he was buried in Richmond’s Hollywood Cemetery.
