Smith's Fort Plantation facts for kids
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Warren House
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Front Elevation of 1751 Main House (photo by United States Department of the Interior)
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| Location | Surry County, Virginia, United States of America |
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| Built | 1751 |
| NRHP reference No. | 73002065 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 14, 1973 |
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Smith's Fort
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| Nearest city | Surry, Virginia |
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| Area | 5 acres (2.0 ha) |
| Built | 1609 |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000827 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | June 15, 1970 |
Smith's Fort Plantation is a historic place in Surry County, Virginia. It includes a beautiful old house and a piece of land. The main house you see today was built in 1751. It is also known as the Faulcon House. Sometimes people call it Warren House or Rolfe-Warren House. This plantation has a long and interesting history.
History of Smith's Fort
The plantation got its name from an old fort. Captain John Smith built this fort in 1609. It was called "New Fort" and was right across the James River from the Jamestown colony. The fort was not used for long. It had problems like dry rot and too many rats.
Later, this same land was given as a special gift. Chief Powhatan gave it to John Rolfe. This was a dowry for Rolfe to marry Powhatan's daughter, Pocahontas.
Experts have studied the land carefully. They found signs that many buildings stood here over time. The main house that stands today was built by Jacob Faulcon in 1751. It has been carefully restored to look like it did long ago.
Saving the Plantation
In 1933, a group called Preservation Virginia bought the property. This group used to be known as the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities. They wanted to save the historic house.
A rich man named John D. Rockefeller Jr. helped pay for the house's restoration. Today, Smith's Fort Plantation is a museum. You can visit it to see furniture from the 16th to early 18th centuries. The plantation also hosts a fun event each year. It is called the Old Virginia Christmas-Festival of Crafts.
Looking for the Old Fort
Captain Smith wrote about his fort. He said it was "neere a convenient River upon high commanding hill." He also said it was "very hard to be assaulted an easie to be defended." The location of Smith's Fort Plantation matches this description.
Archaeologists have done some digging at the site. They found parts of an old ditch and a rampart. A rampart is a protective wall of earth. More digging is needed to be sure this is where Smith's fort stood. However, the way the earthworks were built here is similar to other old forts. This makes it a likely spot for Smith's fort.
