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View beautiful historic plantation locations actually used filming for The New World, starring Colin Farrell, Christian Bale, Christopher Plummer and Q'Orianka Kilcher,  Sally Hemings: An American Scandal starring Sam Neill, Carmen Ejogo, Diahann Carroll and Mario Van Peebles,  Iron Jawed Angels, starring Academy Award winner, Hilary Swank, Patrick Dempsey, Anjelica Huston, Julia Ormond and France O'Connor, The Love Letter, starring Jennifer Jason Leigh, Campbell Scott and Estelle Parsons,  Broken Chain, starring Pierce Brosnan,  Major Payne, starring Damon Wayans, Zelly and Me,  starring Isabella Rossellini, David Lynch and Glynis Johns, Dream West, starring Richard Chamberlain, Alice Krige, F. Murray Abraham and Rip Torn, UPN TV series Legacy, ABC TV series, The Monroes, starring William Devane and more...

Berkely Plantation is Virginia's most historic plantation. It is the site of the first official Thanksgiving in America. Berkely is the birthplace of Benjamin Harrison V., signer of the Declaration of Independence and three times governor of Virginia. The estate is also the birthplace of William Henry Harrison, ninth president of the United States and ancestral home of his grandson, Benjamin Harrison, the twenty-third president.  Learn how "Taps " was composed at Berkeley when General George McClellan headquartered 140,000 union troops there in 1862.

Today, Berkeley remains in its traditional state with exceptionally fine antiques authentic to the period. The handsome Adam woodwork and the double arches of the "Great Rooms" in the mansion were installed by Benjamin Harrison VI in 1790 at the direction of Thomas Jefferson. George Washington, and later  the succeeding nine Presidents of the United States, all enjoyed the famous hospitality of Berkeley in the dining room with its view of the James River. Terraced boxwood gardens lead down to the James River. the gardens are beautifully landscaped with flowers blooming spring through fall. Berkeley Plantation has been owned by the Jamieson family since 1907.

Tuckahoe Plantation is a National Historic Landmark and is protected in perpetuity by a preservation easement donated by the owners. It is considered by architectural historians to be the finest existing early 18th century plantation in America.  Tuckahoe is the only remaining early Randolph home still standing on its original site. 
Built on a bluff overlooking the James River valley, the plantation and its collection of historic out buildings are in a setting that remains remarkably untouched by the passage of time. The mansions "H" shape plan is unique among frame buildings. The house  contains outstanding interior paneling and is appropriately furnished with exquisite antiques collected over the centuries. A masterfully executed staircase with intricately carved frieze, newel and brackets leads upstairs to fully paneled bed chambers. Many famous Americans have visited here, as Tuckahoe has been a home and working farm for nearly 300 years.  Flanking the mansion is a pair of out buildings, one of which served as the plantation dairy and office, and the other the schoolhouse where Thomas Jefferson first attended classes. Tuckahoe Plantation has been owned by the Jessie Baker Thompson family since 1937.

Westover Plantation was built circa 1730 by William Byrd II, the founder of Richmond. It is noteworthy for its secret passages, magnificent gardens, and architectural details. Westover was named for Henry West, fourth Lord Delaware and son of Thomas West, Governor of Virginia. The shady tulip poplars framing the building are more than 150 years old. "Ancient" is the best word to describe the boxwood hedges which enclose the lawn.
The house is considered one of the most outstanding example of Georgian architecture in America. The special charm of the house lies in its elegant yet extremely simple form and proportions, combined with its perfect setting in the landscape, the essence of the artistic ideals of its period adapted to the style of living in Colonial Virginia. Turning from the river to the north side of the house, the visitor will find the famous Westover gates, with William Evelyn Byrd's initials incorporated in the delicate ironwork. The lead eagles on the gateposts are a play on the name "Byrd." The wrought-iron fence has supporting columns topped by unusual stone finials cut to resemble an acorn for perseverance (from little acorns great oaks grow); a pineapple for hospitality, a Greek Key to the World for knowledge; a cornucopia, or horn of plenty: a beehive for industry and an urn of flowers for beauty.

Let our expert guides entertain, educate and  amaze you with fascinating behind-the-scenes stories about the making of the movies and the historical significance of the locations visited where the movies were  filmed.

     Winner of the 2006 Muse Award Program
presented by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Business Council for extraordinary creativity in the Richmond area.