Get a feel for some of Fredericksburg’s important, yet sometimes forgotten, history with the Enslaved Experience and History Tour. This tour takes place at Belle Grove Plantation on a regular basis. It is the result of several years of research into the plantation’s history.
Going on the Tour
If you want to go on the Enslaved Experience and History Tour, you need to make a reservation. The tour lasts an hour, starting at 2 p.m. every day between Wednesday and Sunday. Tickets are $15, but it is well worth it for the insight you get into the plantation’s history.
What You’ll See and Learn
During the Enslaved Experience and History Tour, you will learn about the history of Belle Grove Plantation in the era of slavery. The tour includes history from more than six years of research about the enslaved community of the plantation. It also shows you the experiences that slaves endured during one of the most difficult eras in American history.
While on the tour, you will get to view artifacts and various areas of the plantation related to its history of slavery. You will also learn more about how Africans influenced what we eat in Virginia today with the cooking techniques and foods they brought with them to America.
A Word of Caution
This one-hour tour is not appropriate for children or those who are easily offended due to its serious content matter. It may be graphic at times as well. Because of this, you should make sure you are mentally prepared to deal with the harsher side of Virginia history before making a reservation.
A Brief History
To give you an idea of Belle Grove Plantation’s significance, it’s important to point out that its history spans more than 300 years. It was one of the first New World colonization sites in the late 1600s and survived the Revolution and Civil War. This plantation has been home to many prominent families and still stands to share its history even today.
Other Ways to Experience Belle Grove Plantation
In addition to the regular tour, Belle Grove Plantation regularly hosts special events like weddings and even serves as a bed and breakfast. Each of the master suites has a private bath and is named after one of the families that owned the plantation at one point. You can also choose to attend a traditional afternoon tea in Dolley’s Tea Room from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays thru Saturdays. The tea features a range of petite sweets, scones, and tea sandwiches.
You’ll learn a lot at this Belle Grove Plantation experience tour. But you don’t need to be a history buff to know a great deal when you see one. Visit Volvo Cars Fredericksburg for unbeatable deals on a premium selection of new and pre-owned vehicles.
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