Description: Bacon's Castle is one of the earliest brick structures in America, having been built in 1665. It is the only example of what is known as Jacobean Architecture in this country. It is also the site of the first formal English garden in our country.
In 1676, the castle received its name when it was seized by Nathaniel Bacon. He was a wealthy local planter who led an uprising against the British Governor of Virginia, Lord Berkeley. Evidently, Mr. Bacon wished for increased protection against the "Indians" and less economic restrictions. So exactly 100 years before 1776, there was a rebellion here.
I only toured the outside of the building, as my time was short. This is a most impressive brick structure, characterized by its unique three-flue chimneys. The gardens are a reproduction of the exact gardens that were built here more than 400 years ago. There are a wide variety of hebs, flowers, and vegetables to be seen. The only downside here is an overwhelnming number of pesky black flies.
Close