Ferry Plantation House
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Ferry Plantation House
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Ferry Plantation House
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| Location | 4136 Cheswick Lane Virginia Beach, Virginia |
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| Coordinates | 36°51′50″N 76°7′6″W / 36.86389°N 76.11833°WCoordinates: 36°51′50″N 76°7′6″W / 36.86389°N 76.11833°W |
| Built | 1830 |
| Architect | McIntosh, George |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP Reference # | 04001545 |
| VLR # | 134-0011 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | January 20, 2005 |
| Designated VLR | December 1, 2004, July 20, 2005 |
Ferry Plantation House, or Old Donation Farm, Ferry Farm, Walke Manor House, is a brick house in the neighborhood of Old Donation Farm, Virginia Beach in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The site dates back to 1642 when Savill Gaskin started the second ferry service in Hampton Roads to carry passengers on the Lynnhaven River to the nearby county courthouse and to visit plantations along the waterway. A cannon was used to signal the ferry, which had 11 total stops along the river. The first ferry service was started nearby by Adam Thoroughgood.
The house, which is reputedly haunted by 11 spirits, has been used as a plantation, courthouse, school, and post office. It is currently a museum and educational center. A Summer History Camp, which educates youths about life in the 18th and 19th centuries, is also held on the site.
The area was initially cleared by the local Indians in the 16th century and many of their artifacts have been found on the site. The third Princess Anne County courthouse, the first brick courthouse in the county, was built on this site, complete with and pillory. This third courthouse was in existence from 1735 until the construction of the Walke Mansion. The Walke Mansion 1751-1828 by William Walke, but was destroyed by fire in 1828. Walke may have run a tavern here during the American Revolution.
The current house was built in 1830 by slaves. Its exterior is Federal style three-course American bond brickwork; all of the bricks were from the ruins of the Walke Mansion. Bay additions on each end — one of brick, one of wood — were built in 1850. The land side of the house has a two-story porch constructed in Colonial Revival style in the 1950s. The house has 10 rooms with heart-of-pine flooring and several original features. It was once covered with oyster shell stucco. The rear of the home faces the western branch of the Lynnhaven River.
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