<div><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in">Home to Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in the New World, Virginia is in many ways the birthplace of America and the home of U.S. history.  It is also literally the birthplace of eight presidents and numerous Revolutionary and Civil War heroes. Virginia was among the wealthiest southern states in the antebellum period, resulting in a long tradition of stately homes on luxuriant plantations. In addition to their elegant architecture and classic southern styling, these homes feature some of the most extravagant and noteworthy gardens on the eastern seaboard.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </p> From the James River Plantations to the Shenandoah foothills, <I>Virginia's Historic Homes and Gardens</i> celebrates the legendary houses and landscapes of Old Dominion. Virginia natives, the authors travel throughout the state to highlight the best of the famous and lesser-known homes. Including such national landmarks as George Washington's Mount Vernon and Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, the book brilliantly illustrates the homes' exteriors and interiors as well as their gardens and landscaping.   Historical details accompany the exquisite color photographs, along with useful information on each site's location.<BR><br> List of Feature Houses:<BR><br> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none">Adam Thoroughgood House</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none">1636 Parish Road</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none">Virginia Beach, VA 23455</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none">Lee Hall Mansion</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none">163 Yorktown Road</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none">Newport News, VA 23603</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none">www.leehall.org</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none">Smith's Fort Plantation</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none">217 Smith Fort Lane</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none">Surry, VA 23883</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none">www.apva.org/smithsfort</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none">Bacon's Castle</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none">465 Bacon's Castle Trail</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none">Surry, VA 23883</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none">www.apva.org/baconscastle</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none">Berkeley Plantation</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none">12602 Harrison Landing Road</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none">Charles City, VA 23030</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none">www.berkeleyplantation.com</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none">Shirley Plantation</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none">501 Shirley Plantation Road</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none">Charles City, VA 23030</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none">www.shirleyplantation.com</p> <p class="MsoNorma