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About the Ferry Plantation House |
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 ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION
This Federal Style home stands three-stories and three bays wide at its central block and is constructed of brick laid in a three-course American bond. There are one bay additions projecting from either end of the home, one is brick and the other of wood frame construction. The main block features two interior chimneys and the brick addition features one exterior chimney. The land side of the home is dominated by a two story wooden porch constructed in the colonial revival style in the 1950s. The interior of the home contains a large central hall with flanking rooms. There are original mantels, original historic 6" heart pine flooring and floor framing, as well as historic wooden trim and interior shutters.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Construction Date: 1830, main house; 1852 addition
Outbuildings: No
Acreage of Site: +/- 0.1 acre owned by City; 2 acres of open space by Homeowners Association
Architect or Builder: George McIntosh
Historical Use: Plantation, Courthouse, Tavern, School
Present Use: Museum and Office Space for Non-Profit Office
Ferry Plantation House is a 1830 brick structure (once covered with oyster shell stucco) with a ten-room central passage plan. It's an example of a Federal farm house, built by slave labor, and faces the Western Branch of the Lynnhaven River as the last witness to the rich past of the site's recorded history. The third courthouse, which was also the first brick courthouse in the county, was on this site; the stately Walke mansion, circa 1780, was destroyed by fire. The existing Ferry Plantation House was built, in part, of bricks salvaged from the ruins. It is currently being renovated by Friends of the Ferry Plantation House, Inc. in partnership with the City of Virginia Beach. The house soon will be an educational center open to the public. INFORMATION FOR TOURISTS Location: 4136 Cheswick Lane, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23455 Phone: 757-473-5182 Hours: Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays 10 a.m. -4p.m. (Last tour starts at 3:30 p.m.) If the Virginia State Flag is flying, we are open for tours. Please pull the bell and enter. Tour Donation is $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for Senior Citizens and Students Members Tour for FREE
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Grace Sherwood Day at Ferry Plantation |
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The heat and humidity did not deter the festivities at this year's Grace Sherwood Festival at the Ferry Plantation House. 304 years have passed since Virginia's only convicted witch was tried by water. On Saturday, July 10, 2010, her life and legacy was celebrated with reenactments of her trial by water and her wedding. In addition, a special performance by local group Theatrix entertained the crowd.
You can see some of the festivities in this video. |
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The heat and humidity did not deter the festivities at this year's Grace Sherwood Festival at the Ferry Plantation House. 
Digging in the dirt is just part of the fun at Ferry Plantation House's Summer History Camps; Join in the Fun!