Endview Plantation

"Fun with the Family"

Three of America’s early wars have left their mark on this eighteenth-century plantation. During the Revolutionary War it was used as a campground by militia on their way to the final battle at Yorktown. It was again a campground during the War of 1812, and during the Civil War it was occupied by both Union and on federate forces. The house and grounds, which have been restored by the City of Newport News, are now the site of some terrific children’s programs throughout the year.
 
 
Even kids who may not be that interested in the house’s period furniture will want to spend some time in the gallery, where Native American, colonial-era, and Civil War artifacts from on-site archaeological digs are displayed. (Ask for the handouts just for kids.) A restored smokehouse on the grounds displays ways in which food used to be preserved. Restoration on the summer kitchen has begun and there are plans to restore one of the barns, also.
 
 
During the summer there are Civil War camps, where kids ages 8 to 13 can learn all about camp life, including medicine, food, and taking care of their muskets. At Miss Sallie’s Academy, kids are invited to tea, as well as to learn the language of the fan and the Virginia reel. (Both are daylong, Monday through Thursday, extra fee.)
 
 
Endview’s very popular ghost walks at Halloween have led other City of Newport News historic houses, such as Lee-Hall Mansion (757-888-3371; www.leehall.org) and the Newsome House Museum and Cultural Center (804-247-2360; www.newsomehouse.org) to host some of their own Halloween events.
 
 
These three properties and the Virginia War Museum (below) are owned and operated by Newport News’s Department of Parks and Recreation. At the Lee-Hall Mansion, kids can learn about the hardships of sharecropping after the Civil War from costumed storytellers. Newsome House is the refurbished home of Joseph Newsome, a leading African-American lawyer in the late 1800s.