I had seen Agecroft Hall on television, probably an episode of "America’s Castles", and like most of the homes featured, it was a beautiful home, but more than that, it had an intriguing story behind it. Agecroft was built in the late 15th century in Lancashire, England… the large Tudor home of the Langley and Dauntesey families respectively. It didn’t do well in the industrialized England of the 19th century and was gradually being undermined by coal tunnels and getting in the way of the age of steam. Finally, it became a case of either tearing it down or auctioning it off for removal. Richmond businessman, Thomas Williams, seized the opportunity, bought the home, had it carefully dismantled and shipped to America.
Williams saw Agecroft in two lights: it was to be his home, and more than that, it would be the anchor of his new subdivision, Winsor Farms. It would be an upscale project and Agecroft would lend it that air of "old money" that Williams was looking for. Before you begin your tour, you will watch a slide-show describing the history of the house and William’s involvement with it.
The home that the visitor enters has been decorated to the Tudor period and as such, houses a fine collection of Elizabethan furniture and household goods. The Great Hall of the house is authentic, with leaded glass windows featuring the stained-glass arms of the original owners. It is beautifully paneled in dark wood and dominated by a massive stone fireplace. A long trestle table completes the effect, taking one back to a period when people would have gathered in front of a blazing fire to feast… not entirely a pleasant picture as the fork wasn’t invented until the 17th century.
The guest has the opportunity to see most of the home’s principle rooms, the dining area, the great staircase and the bedrooms upstairs. The bedrooms, in particular, feature some superb furniture, rare pieces that one won’t see in other homes in America. Only the library is true to the time of Thomas Williams. It was actually my favorite room in the house with its book-lined walls, huge library table, over-stuffed furniture and minstrel’s gallery.
Having finished your guided tour, you may wish to go to the extensive gardens… the house did have the prime location at Winsor Farms. The rest of the subdivision that Williams had constructed skirts his 23 acre property and features Virginia House, a second old English manor house that is also open to the public. For more on Agecroft, try agecroft.