Agecroft Hall & Gardens

This historic manor was dismantled in Lancashire, England, shipped to Richmond, Virginia, then reassembled in 1929.

The Tudor manor house was built in 1485 by Robert Langley. Over the 16th century, there were many add-ons to the house. In 1929, Thomas C. Williams Jr., a wealthy entrepreneur, bought the house and had 1/3 of it dismantled, shipped to Virginia, and reassembled where it stands today. Williams wanted to build homes around the manor and live there with his family as the centerpiece. He died in 1929, so that dream died as well. His widow inherited the home, extensive grounds, and gardens. In her will, she specified the desire to have the manor made into a museum.

The exterior features magpie woodwork that displays the owner's wealth because it was so labor-intensive to make. The grounds have a sunken garden with 5,000 bulbs planted each year. The garden has a grass maze, an herb garden, and a flower garden, decorated after Henry VIII's garden, all opening to the view of the James River. The rooms and furniture are magnificent. There is a library inside that is 30 feet tall by 50 feet wide, all in one room. It has thousands of books that Williams either inherited or collected. Through the center is a 16-foot long inlay table called a refectory. As you tour, you will see the great hall, dining parlor, and bedrooms with carved 4 poster beds, one of which is from the 16th century and still has the original paint.

There is a museum shop within the manor too if you want to bring home a souvenir. Tours are available Thursday through Sunday from 12 pm - 5 pm. General admission includes a guided tour of the mansion. A ticket to the garden includes a self-guided tour of the gardens, Woodland Walk, and Sunroom Exhibit. Tickets are $10 or less, and it is worth your while to see this historical place.