Weyanoke, Virginia facts for kids
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Weyanoke
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Weyanoke plantation house, HABS photo, 1930s
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | Route 619 off Route 5, Charles City, Virginia |
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| Area | 1,225 acres (496 ha) |
| Built | c. 1790 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 80004406 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | March 10, 1980 |
Weyanoke is a historic farm and home located in Charles City County, Virginia, United States. This special place has a long history, going back thousands of years. It is known for being the arrival point of the First Africans in Virginia in 1619. They created the first African community in North America right here. Weyanoke, including its old house and important archaeological sites, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
Contents
Discovering Weyanoke's Past
Weyanoke has a rich and long history. People have lived on this land for about 10,000 years! Many different groups have called this place home over time.
Early Land and First Arrivals
In 1665, a man named Joseph Harwood was given 422 acres of land. This land was on the north side of the James River and became known as Weyanoke. Later, the land passed to the Lewis family when Agnes Harwood married Fielding Lewis.
The land was developed into a farm, mainly for growing tobacco. This work was done by enslaved people.
The Weyanoke Mansion
The main house at Weyanoke is a beautiful Georgian style mansion. It was built around the 1790s. The house is two stories tall and made of wood, sitting on a brick foundation. Fielding Lewis, who was named after his famous uncle, Colonel Fielding Lewis, built this grand home.
Clues from the Ground: Archaeology
Over the years, experts have found many clues about the past at Weyanoke. They have identified about 40 archaeological sites on the property. These sites show signs of Native American, African American, and European American activities. They help us understand how people lived here long ago.
Weyanoke During the Civil War
The Douthat family owned Weyanoke through the American Civil War. A very important event happened here in June 1864. The Union Army, led by General Grant, crossed the James River from Weyanoke Point. They built a quick bridge made of boats, called a pontoon bridge, to get to the other side.
A New Chapter for Weyanoke
The original house was made bigger after 1938. In 1972, Lawrence Lewis, Jr. bought Weyanoke. He was a descendant of the earlier Fielding Lewis. Lawrence Lewis, Jr. was a successful businessman and a generous person who helped many causes. He also founded Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida.
