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.

For the health and safety of our guests, we’re taking the following precautions as part of re-opening:

Our pledge to you–

• We will continuously clean bathroom fixtures, doorknobs and other highly touched surfaces multiple times throughout the day with a deep clean at the close of business.

• All of our staff will wear masks and will be trained on appropriate cleaning, hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.

• All of our staff will maintain physical distancing (6 feet) while conducting tours and collecting admissions. Where possible, we have placed reminders to help you maintain that distance.

• Each day, all Preservation Virginia staff members will be required to pass a wellness check. Anyone that is sick or exhibiting systems will not be allowed to work that day.

• Hand sanitizer will be located throughout the building for guest and staff use.

• We will limit the size of groups to maintain physical distancing on interior tours.  Tour limits are as follows:

  • For Smith’s Fort and John Marshall House–groups are limited to six (6) people

  • For Bacon’s Castle and Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown, groups are limited to eight (8) people

• Wherever possible doors will remain open to alleviate the necessity of touching.

• Our guidelines do not supersede any directives issued by government entities and will be continuously evaluated and amended as we receive further guidance from the CDC and other agencies.

Your pledge to us–

• You will practice the Virginia mandated physical distancing guidelines that have been put into place to protect you, our staff and other guests.  This includes maintaining 6 feet of distance and wearing masks are required for interior access, including the museum shop, shuttles and restroom facilities and are recommended outdoors.

• If you have underlying health concerns and are not able to wear a mask, please contact our sites to learn of special visiting hours specifically for you and your family.

• You will register for tours online and in advance and use “no touch payment” when possible.

• You will refrain from bringing food, water or other items on to the site. If you do, please “leave no trace” and take your trash with you to help protect others from possible exposure to infection.

• If you have been exposed to COVID-19, feel sick or have a fever, please stay home, and we look forward to seeing you when you are well.