Season 1, Episode 9: William Henry Harrison and Berkeley Plantation
Heading to the James River in Virginia, and William Henry Harrison’s birthplace at the Berkeley Plantation, home to six generations of Harrisons! The only presidential birthplace where the president’s birth is only one of the five most interesting things to happen there. Also, learn about why William Henry Harrison conveniently elided his regal roots in favor of the log cabin myth.
Be sure to listen to William Henry Harrison’s “Visiting the Presidents” Episode from Season 2, “William Henry Harrison and Grouseland” for his homes!
Also, listen to William Henry Harrison’s “Visiting the Presidents” Episode from Season 3, “William Henry Harrison’s Tomb” for his gravesite!
From My May 2017 Visit!
Berkeley Plantation house.Sign at Berkeley Plantation and Harrison’s Landing.At Berkeley Plantation!Display on Harrison in the basement of the house. William Henry Harrison.House, with stone for Benjamin and Anne Harrison over doorway.Cannon ball hole fired by J.E.B. Stuart in 1862.From the native attacks on the Berkeley Hundred.Berkeley in its heyday.Military camp at Berkeley during the Civil War. From the first playing of “Taps.”Abraham Lincoln visiting George McClellan at Berkeley.View from the house to the James River. Marker for the Berkeley Hundred and First Thanksgiving. The James River at Harrison’s Landing.Plantation grounds.On the river. Marker for John Woodliffe at the First Thanksgiving. Great view through the doors. Marker for “Taps.”Gravesite for the Harrison family; the Jamiesons are buried nearby, as well.Marker for First Thanksgiving.Marker for Benjamin Harrison (V) outside the plantation.
From My July 2021 Visit!
Re-Visiting the Berkeley Plantation! All the signage leading to the Plantation. On the road to Manderly…or, the Berkeley Plantation. Berkeley Plantation. My favorite birthplace site. Berkeley through the years, in one of their out buildings. Family trees of the Virginia Presidents Thanksgiving marker movedLove this shot of the James Benjamin Harrison graveDown by the James The slave quarters commemorated The terraced gardensBerkeley George the Berkeley Cat The cannonball and plaque Capstone Love the location With the marker
From My June 2022 Visit!
Back at Berkeley! Berkeley!Our tour guide! CannonballDown to the riverPath through the gardensWith the house behind Front door At the gate What an entrance Berkeley marker At the marker the next morning (I didn’t get my marker shot!)
From My June 2023 Visit!
From My July 2024 Visit!
Back at BerkeleyLooking towards the JamesLeading to the mansionIn front of the mansionBirthplace marker
Berkeley from above. (from Berkeley website)
Berkeley main house in the 1920s; the porch and portico were destroyed in a fire.
My favorite room (and most William Henry Harrison centric) from the Berekley website.
William Henry Harrison portrait by James Reid Lambdin.
BONUS episode featuring my summer of presidential travels as I fit in as many birthplaces, gravesites, homes, and other sites into one history professor's summer break. My trip back to Ohio from Arizona, and the start of my New England swing! Links to Previous Episodes Mentioned:Birthplaces"Andrew Johnson and Raleigh""Calvin Coolidge and Plymouth Notch""Lyndon Johnson and Stonewall"Homes"Franklin Pierce and Concord""Abraham Lincoln and Springfield""Benjamin Harrison and Indianapolis""Calvin Coolidge and Northampton" for the Coolidge Homestead"Franklin Roosevelt and Warm Springs" for Campobello Island "Lyndon Johnson and the LBJ Ranch"Gravesites"Millard Fillmore's Tomb""Franklin Pierce's Tomb" "Abraham Lincoln's Tomb""Benjamin Harrison's Tomb" "Calvin Coolidge's Tomb""Lyndon Johnson's Tomb" Support the showAlso, check out “Visiting the Presidents” on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! Support the showAlso, check out “Visiting the Presidents” on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
I'm a Professor of History at Central Arizona College and someone who loves history and travel; my new blog will combine those interests!
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3 thoughts on “Season 1, Episode 9-William Henry Harrison and Berkeley Plantation”
3 thoughts on “Season 1, Episode 9-William Henry Harrison and Berkeley Plantation”