Westover, Charles City County, Virginia
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Westover Plantation
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Westover from the front (river) side
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| Location | 7 mi. W of Charles City on VA 5, Charles City County, Virginia, United States of America |
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| Coordinates | 37°18′40″N 77°8′58″W / 37.31111°N 77.14944°WCoordinates: 37°18′40″N 77°8′58″W / 37.31111°N 77.14944°W |
| Area | 1,025 acres (4.15 km2) |
| Built | c. 1750 |
| Architect | unknown |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP Reference # | 66000923 |
| VLR # | 018-0027 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | October 9, 1960 |
| Designated VLR | September 9, 1969 |
Westover Plantation is a historic colonial tidewater plantation located on the north bank of the James River in Charles City County, Virginia. Established in the 1730s, it is the homestead of the Byrd family of Virginia. State Route 5, a scenic byway, runs east-west to the north of the plantation, connecting the independent cities of Richmond and Williamsburg.
The plantation has been designated as a National Historic Landmark in the United States, cited for the architectural quality of its early Georgian mansion house and the history of its influential family. In the early years of the Virginia colony, the plantation was one of the sites of the courts of Charles City County.
Sir John Pawlett, by deeds of lease and release, demised most of Westover Plantation in 1665 to Theodorick Bland of Westover for £170. Bland lived on the property until his death in 1671 and was buried in the chancel of the original Westover Church, which he helped build. His eldest son, Theodorick, inherited the land and joined with his brother, Richard, in its ownership. The brothers eventually conveyed 1,200 acres of the property to William Byrd I in 1688 for £300 and 10,000 pounds of tobacco and cask.
The plantation is notable for its 18th-century and later history. The mansion, Westover Plantation, was built in the Georgian style. It was considered the seat of the William Byrd family in Virginia. William Byrd II, the founder of Richmond, was thought to have built the mansion c. 1730. This date was part of the 1960 designation of the house as a National Historic Landmark.
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