There’s nothing quite as captivating as ruins. These structures provide just an outline of what once was, alluding to the past in a mysterious way. Here in Virginia, there are plenty of these structures to explore. While some are easily accessible, more are hidden away and nearly obscured. Perhaps one of the most intriguing sites of ruins lies in Gloucester County. What once stood as one of the grandest mansions in all of America’s early colonies now exists as just a few brick pillars looking over the York River.

Take a peek at the peculiar ruins of Rosewell Plantation:

Tucked away on the banks of the York River in Gloucester County, the gorgeous ruins of Rosewell Plantation hint of Colonial days long gone.
Wikicommons
This massive home, considered among the most extravagant of its kind, was built in 1725 for the Page Family. Photographed below is the house as it looked in 1900.
Wikipedia
The Page family sought to build a home that would exceed the luxury and stature of the Governor's own palace in Williamsburg. In its entirety, the house stood at 12,000 square feet, which doubled the size of the palace.
Carmen Shields/flickr

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Rosewell saw its ups and downs as the country developed, and even throughout economic hardships brought on by the Civil War, the site was known for hosting lavish parties and dances.
Wikicommons
In 1916, a tragic fire swept through the house and demolished all but what remains today: a few brick columns and the bare bones of a building from another time.
Carmen Shields/flickr
The ruins of the site were donated to the Gloucester Historical Society in 1979. The Rosewell Foundation has preserved the historical site since 1995.
Carmen Shields/flickr

For a fascinating aerial view of Rosewell, watch the brief video below:

Have you visited Rosewell Plantation recently? Be sure to share your experiences there with us! For more information on this site, be sure to visit the Rosewell Foundation page.

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