Charles City in Charles City County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Colonial Kitchen

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, August 31, 2024

1. Colonial Kitchen Marker

Inscription. During colonial times, food was prepared in a separate building or dependency. As in many homes today, the kitchen is where the most activity and gathering happened. The Harrisons did a great deal of entertaining and the kitchen produced lavish meals of delicacies meant to impress their guests. Enslaved cooks lived on the upper floors and began their day before dawn with the kindling of the cooking fires. The kitchen was built after Berkeley's mansion was completed in 1726.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1726.

Location. 37° 19.039′ N, 77° 10.85′ W. Marker is in Charles City, Virginia, in Charles City County. It can be reached from Harrison Landing Road 0.7 miles south of Westover Road. Marker is within Berkeley Plantation on the north face of the kitchen. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12602 Harrison Landing Road, Charles City VA 23030, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Coastal Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Cannon Ball (here, next to this marker); Guest House (within shouting distance of this marker); First Official Thanksgiving (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lane to Site of First Thanksgiving

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(about 300 feet away); Berkeley and Harrison's Landing (about 500 feet away); Commemorating the 350th Anniversary at Berkeley Hundred (about 500 feet away); Instructions Given (about 500 feet away); Origin of Taps (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charles City.

Colonial Kitchen image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, August 31, 2024

2. Colonial Kitchen

The marker is to the right of the door, on the building's exterior wall facing the north walkway.

Colonial Kitchen, South Elevation image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, August 31, 2024

3. Colonial Kitchen, South Elevation

This is the opposite side of the building from the side the marker is on.

Colonial Kitchen Interior image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, August 31, 2024

4. Colonial Kitchen Interior

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, August 31, 2024

5. Colonial Kitchen Interior

Dining space opposite the room with the main fireplace.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 140 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 21, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.