(Above: Bacon's Castle, front.)
On Saturday we ventured out from Norfolk....driving over toward Williamsburg and taking the ferry from Jamestown across the James River.
(Above: Mom and Steve on the ferry boat. It was quite windy and hot!)
We headed to Bacon's Castle in Surry and took another great tour through the rare Jacobean structure. Built in 1665, it was updated with a Greek revival addition in 1844. The interior was furnished according to mid-18th century inventories. Our octogenarian guide instilled us with her love of the building, the preservation efforts, and covered all three floors plus the basement. She's been with the place since it was opened to the public in 1983. (It was purchased by the Preservation Virginia in 1972.) Steve and I have visited in 1984 and 1987. Since then the 17th century garden has been excavated and planted.
(Above: Bacon's Castle, back.)
From Bacon's Castle, we drove to nearby Smithfield and walked around the charming town, its art center, and then had a fabulous lunch at the Smithfield Inn.
