England in America | Agecroft Hall

 

"Built in England about 500 years ago,
Agecroft Hall now overlooks Virginia's James River.

England's Past. Crated, Shipped & Carefully Reassembled.

On the rolling banks of the James River stands a remarkable Tudor estate. And by Tudor, we're not simply referring to an architectural style. This manor house was actually built in Lancashire, England in the late 15th century. For hundreds of years, Agecroft Hall was the distinguished home of England's Langley & Dauntesey families.

At the end of the C.19th however, Agecroft fell into disrepair, and in 1925, it was sold at auction. Hearing of this tremendous opportunity, Richmonder Thomas C. Williams, Jr. purchased the structure, and had it dismantled, crated, shipped across the Atlantic, and then painstakingly reassembled in a Richmond neighborhood, known as Windsor Farms.
 

Today, Agecroft Hall stands beautifully re-created, in a setting reminiscent
of its original site on Lancashire's Irwell River."

We were there for open-air Shakespeare so I didn't explore the indoors to witness its
"English opulence, room-by-room" of the Great Parlour, the sleeping chambers,
the "dyninge parlour", "intricately carved staircases, noble passageways". 

  

Having come to the end of a busy Tech & Opening Weekend, I was glad to be outdoors, surrounded by knot gardens & sunken gardens, based on those at Hampton Court. 

Man, lawn, big house.

Man, lawn, river.

And narry another person in sight. Such peace! I was indeed gladdened by the quiet of our surroundings & the distinct lack of people, sufficient to fill a small town in Iowa.

Blue skies also boded well for the night's performance.

I had wanted a picnic, just like the flyer had suggested, & so lo, a picnic was duly served!

Hurrah!

 

Playbill perusal pre-performance.

Agecroft by night.