City: Williamsburg, VA

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (804) 829-5176

Address: 12200 Weyanoke Rd.

Description: The original plantation house was built in 1819 for Sarah Harrison, the wife of wealthy landowner John Minge and a sister to William Henry Harrison, our ninth president. In 1853 the house was doubled in size, and a total renovation was completed in 1982 by the Copland family, descendants of noted agriculturist Edmund Ruffin and current owners of the house. Even after all the changes, North Bend’s main house survives as the best-preserved example of the academic Greek Revival style of architecture in Charles City County. Of special historic note is the plantation’s 1864 occupancy by General Phillip Sheridan and his 30,000 Union troops.Today, the plantation operates as a bed-and-breakfast. Day and evening tours for groups of 10 or more are offered by appointment. If you just happen to be in the neighborhood, the 500-acre grounds are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a self-guided tour. To begin your tour, simply stop in at the grounds kiosk and pick up a bright yellow brochure. Points of interest include the smokehouse and dairy house, both built around 1819, a slave quarters, and the site of the 1853 cookhouse. The tour ends just outside the house, where tables and chairs have been set up to give visitors an opportunity to sit awhile and take in the view. North Bend is about 25 minutes west of Williamsburg. To reach the plantation, take Route 5 to Highway 619, then travel about 1 mile to Weyanoke Road.