Bacon's Castle
Bacon’s Castle is the oldest brick dwelling in North America and was built for Arthur Allen and his family in 1665. Originally known as Allen’s Brick House, it 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 a rare example of High Jacobean architecture. 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.
African American History at Bacon’s Castle
The Black history connected to Bacon’s Castle “is incredibly rich. It is filled with stories of the families that were built under enslavement, the experiences of those who risked their lives to fight against the institution of slavery, and the people who created new lives and tight family units, which grew during the Reconstruction era and into the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.” African American historian and genealogist, Peighton Young,
To read more about Bacon’s Castle’s African American history, Click Here. And for more in-depth information, and primary source material please email us at baconscastle@preservationvirginia.org
We have only begun to study the history of the Black presence here. We aim “to build strong relationships with the descendants of Bacon’s Castle, collect oral histories, and present the individual stories that truly highlight the African American experience at Bacon’s Castle from 1665 to 1972. Moving forward, we hope to continue to be able to provide a detailed context for how these people lived and how they viewed their lives at Bacon’s Castle.”
We value Bacon’s Castle’s African American community’s history and would love for you to be a part of the process of gathering more information about the Black presence at Bacon’s Castle. If you are a descendant of Bacon’s Castle or a member of the community and would like to share your family’s history or your knowledge of the African American history at Bacon’s Castle, please contact us at baconscastle@preservationvirginia.org or 757.357.5976
Address
465 Bacon’s Castle Trail
Surry, VA 23883
Hours
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
Ways to enjoy your visit
Self-Guided Cell Phone Tour- Receive an informative site map and explore the grounds following a numbered path. Use your personal cell phone to hear about the site’s history and architecture.
Guided Exterior Walking Tour- 45 minute guided tour of the history and architecture of the site. This is a public, mixed-group outdoor only tour and will require guests to be socially distant from individuals outside of their closed group. Masks are encouraged.
Private Interior Tours, pre-registration only
- Tickets must be purchased on-line advance of arrival.
- 45 minute private guided tour of the interior spaces
- At this time, all interior tours will be private, we cannot guarantee walk-up visitors will be able to receive a tour of the interior of the site.
- Masks are required.
- Closed group size limits of 8 apply.
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.
VISITOR INFOHours & Directions
Preservation Virginia Members can call ahead to book their tours for free, a benefit of membership! Contact 757.357.3486.
March 1, 2020 through December 29, 2020, pending Covid-19 updates
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.
Bring a piece of history home
Browse one-of-a-kind gifts and collectibles from our online shop.
Hauntings in the Garden
We invite you to join us for Hauntings in the Garden, our new outdoor Fall Event!
Stroll the decorated grounds and partake of warm cider at the campfire. Wander the garden to find what lurks in the darkness. Follow an interpreter around outside as they entertain you with ghost stories from the past. Visit the tent with folks from the Center for Paranormal Research and Investigation who will be demonstrating their equipment and explaining the findings from their investigations of Bacon’s Castle. Historical costumes are encouraged. Two tour types are available every 30 minutes on October 17th and 24th.
All COVID-19 protocols will be followed including wearing masks and social distancing.
$15 per person includes all outdoor activities, and you can find the link for those tickets here.
$30 per person for a very limited number of tickets, which will also include a 30 minute small group tour of the interior of Bacon’s Castle led by paranormal investigators demonstrating their scientific methods- find those tickets here.
Hauntings in the GardenAdmission
Pricing
| Preservation Members | Free (Become a member) |
| General Admission | $10 |
| AAA, Senior (60+), Military Discount | $9 |
| Students | $8 |
| Children under 6 | Free |
Contact
For information on pricing and availability:
Carol Wiedel, Site Coordinator
baconscastle@preservationvirginia.org
757-357-5976
Donate to Bacon’s Castle
Key Visitor Info
Rules & Regulations
For the health and safety of our guests, we’re taking the following precautions as part of re-opening:
Our pledge to you–
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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.
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All of our staff will wear masks and will be trained on appropriate cleaning, hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.
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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.
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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.
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Hand sanitizer will be located throughout the building for guest and staff use.
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We will limit the size of groups to maintain physical distancing on interior tours. Tour limits are as follows:
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For Smith’s Fort and John Marshall House–groups are limited to six (6) people
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For Bacon’s Castle and Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown, groups are limited to eight (8) people
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Wherever possible doors will remain open to alleviate the necessity of touching.
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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–
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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.
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You will register for tours online and in advance and use “no touch payment” when possible.
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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.
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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
