Bacon's Castle
Bacon’s Castle is the oldest brick dwelling in North America and was once the home of Arthur Allen, a prosperous merchant and planter, and his family. Allen’s Brick House earned the moniker “Bacon’s Castle” in 1676 when several of Nathaniel Bacon’s men occupied the home for four months during the uprising that became known as Bacon’s Rebellion.
Bacon’s Castle is an example of High Jacobean architecture and notable for its stunning triple stacked chimneys. The home features a reconstructed 17th-century English formal garden restored by the Garden Club of Virginia. Several outbuildings also survive, including an 1830 slave dwelling.
Preservation Virginia acquired Bacon’s Castle in the 1970’s at auction and meticulously researched, restored and furnished the house in the 1980’s.
Address
465 Bacon’s Castle Trail
Surry, VA 23883
Hours
Bacon’s Castle is temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Read the official statement from our CEO.
Bacon’s Castle is typically open March through December
(closed to the general public in January and February)
Fri and Sat: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Memorial Day – Labor Day: Monday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Plan your visit
Guided Tour
In a 45-minute tour guided by one of our trained interpreters, you’ll learn about the lives of the families who made Bacon’s Castle home. Engage with fellow visitors and discuss Bacon’s Rebellion and the ways that uprising set the stage for further conflict in early America. Make sure you ask about the love letter delicately inscribed in one of the windows.
Self-Guided Tour of Bacon’s Castle
Walk through our exhibit space and explore the grounds and outbuildings, including the 1830 slave dwelling, a smokehouse and both 18th- and 20th-century barns.
17th-century English Formal Gardens
Stroll through the garden and see what’s in bloom! After extensive archaeological surveys and research sponsored by the Garden Club of Virginia, the garden at Bacon’s Castle has been restored and planted with heirloom flowers and plants.
Picnic Area
Pack a lunch and eat at one of our six picnic tables.
Jamestown-Scotland Ferry
You can hop on the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry for free to visit Preservation Virginia’s Historic Jamestowne or take a short car ride to Smith’s Fort Plantation.
Temporary Detour
SURRY COUNTY – Crews with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) are closing a portion of Route 634 (Highgate Road) in both directions to replace the existing bridge over Chippokes Creek in Surry County.
Construction and closure of the 87-year-old bridge begins as early as Tuesday, Nov. 19, and is estimated to continue through late spring 2020.
A signed detour will be in place to direct motorists around the closure, which will remain in place for the duration of construction. All construction work is dependent upon weather conditions.
From Bacon’s Castle traveling north on Route 10, the detour will direct motorists to:
- Continue north on Route 10 (Colonial Trail);
- Turn right onto Route 633 (Chippokes Farm Road);
- Turn right onto Route 634, providing access north of the bridge.
Motorists are advised to plan their commute by using VDOT’s free traffic information tools:
- Download the 511 smartphone app, or 511-integrated Waze app.
- Visit the 511 Virginia website or dial 511 for traffic information on your phone.
- Follow @511hamptonroads and @VaDOTHR on Twitter.
You can also view the release at https://conta.cc/33V01uS on a browser.
Hours & Directions
March 1, 2018 through December 29, 2018
Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Memorial Day – Labor Day: Monday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Admission
Pricing
| Preservation Members | Free (Become a member) |
| General Admission | $10 |
| AAA, Senior (60+), Military Discount | $9 |
| Students | $7 |
| Children under 6 | Free |
Buy a Block Ticket to visit Bacon’s Castle and Smith’s Fort for one special price, $14!
Call ahead and reserve a special discounted rate for groups of ten or more.
Contact
For information on pricing and availability:
Carol Wiedel, Site Coordinator
baconscastle@preservationvirginia.org
757-357-5976
Donate to Bacon’s Castle
Tours & Site Rental
Bacon’s Castle is a beautifully restored 17th century plantation home located in scenic Surry County, Virginia and a short ferry ride from the Historic Triangle. Make your event truly special with our unique blend of colonial Virginia architecture, history and beautifully restored English formal garden.
Site Rental & Special Events
Meeting Space: Rent Bacon’s Castle for your small group meetings and events. Pricing starts at $100 per hour.
Special Events: Rent our grounds for your special occasion. Pricing starts at $50 per hour.
Group Tour Bookings
Surry County is a small town packed with historical significance. Plan a day trip to explore Bacon’s Castle and Smith’s Fort.
Group tours are available by arrangements made no less than one week in advance of the visit.
Contact
For information on pricing and availability:
Carol Wiedel, Site Coordinator
baconscastle@preservationvirginia.org
757-357-5976
Bacon's Castle is a partner of the American Evolution 2019 Commemoration
AMERICAN EVOLUTION™ commemorates the 400th anniversary of several key historical events that occurred in Virginia in 1619 that continue to influence America today, including the first representative legislative assembly in the New World, the arrival of the first recorded enslaved Africans to English North America and the recruitment of English women in significant numbers.
