Agecroft Hall

Agecroft Hall is an 'Elizabethan' mansion on the banks of the James River in Richmond.

The original Agecroft Hall was built in Lancashire in the early 1500's and it was passed through the Langley and Dauntcey families with additions and renovations until the early 1900's, when it fell into disrepair and was put up for auction.

It was bought by Thomas Williams of Virginia who arranged for it to be dismantled and the building materials shipped to Richmond to be rebuilt in Elizabethan style but as a 'modern' family home.

Many of the original features including huge leaded windows, carved oak panelling,  fireplaces and original paintings of members of the family were brought over and incorporated into the design of the new house.

No photos were allowed inside the house but since it has been made into a museum it is presented as it would have been lived in during the 1600's and the tour was very interesting and informative.

The tiny door in the large doors into the courtyard is an original feature.



Outside are beautiful formal and informal gardens including this sunken garden which was very quiet and peaceful today.

There is a summer house with a view over the James River.

In the garden quite a bit of activity amongst the flowers..

A hummingbird moth, and then the real thing (in fact three of them, more of them another day)..

Many dragon or damsel flies flitting around the pond..



Huge bees enjoying the flowers..

This handsome resident ginger cat, optimistically named 'Rocket' finally settled in the shade to sleep after following me around, meowing, the whole time that I was trying to stalk the hummingbirds with my iPhone !