Evelynton Plantation was originally part of William Byrd's expansive Westover Plantation and named for his daughter, Evelyn. Since 1847, it has been home to the Ruffin family whose patriarch, Edmund Ruffin, fired the first shot of the Civil War at Fort Sumter.

Ruffin's significant agricultural contributions--from scientific soil testing to the publication of The Farmer's Register--rescued l9th-century Virginia from a declining agricultural economy, earning him the distinguished title, father of American agronomy.

Evelynton was the site of fierce Civil War skirmishes in 1862, when General George McClellan waged his destructive Peninsula Campaign; J.E.B. Stuart, Stonewall Jackson and John Pelham bravely led the Southern offensive in the Battle of Evelynton Heights. The original house and out-buildings were burned during that conflict, and the current residence was erected two generations later by Edmund Ruffin's great grandson, John Augustine Ruffin, Jr. and his wife Mary Ball Saunders. Architect W. Duncan Lee, who completed a brilliant restoration of Carters Grove in Williamsburg, designed the Georgian Revival manor house in 1937. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the 2,500-acre farm is still family owned and operated.The house, lush grounds and gardens are open daily from 9-5 for tours, and also available for private occasions such as weddings, corporate&private functions and group tours & special events.

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