Bacon's Castle

See the oldest documented brick home in North America.

Arthur Allen bought 200 acres in Virginia on March 14, 1650. Alice Tucker came to Virginia with three servants, and she was either already Allen's wife or would soon be married at that point. It is unknown why he came, where he came from, or when he arrived in Virginia. Allen became one of the justices of the Peace for Surry County back in 1652. He was one of the wealthiest men in the county, working as a merchant-planter. The brick home was built in 1665 when Arthur Allen was 57 years old. 

In later years, 70 men plundered the home and stole saddles, bed linens, towels, bridles, pewter plates, and mustard pots, but they could not find the silver that Arthur Allen had hidden. Regardless, they trampled his wheat and tobacco fields, and even slaughtered and ate some of his cattle, then proceeded to live in the home for four months. Nathaniel Bacon, the instigator of Bacon's Rebellion, died from dysentery and the rebellion calmed down. The name Bacon's Castle came to be due to Bacon's rebellion. This historic site also features outbuildings such as barns, tenant quarters, a smokehouse, and an English formal garden. Guided tours inside the home are available March through December on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm, plus Sundays from 12 pm to 5 pm.