Country Roads: Pharsalia Estate Turns 200

Interpreters show what 19th century life was like on the Pharsalia plantation.

The story below is an excerpt from our May/June 2014 issue. For the rest of this story and more like it subscribe today, view our digital edition or download our FREE iOS app!

Foxie Morgan has fond memories of growing up at Pharsalia, a private estate in Nelson County gifted to her great-great-grandfather William Massie 200 years ago. And she plans to share the beauty and history of the property by hosting a series of events in celebration of the anniversary.

Pharsalia, which is listed on the National Historic Register and the Virginia Landmarks Register, still features many original buildings, including the kitchen, icehouse, smokehouse and slave quarters. A Folk Life Festival on May 17-18 will give guests the opportunity to experience 19th century living on the plantation with interpreters in period attire, chore demonstrations and period food such as oyster ice cream.

Morgan also will host a Massie reunion on June 27-28. She has found around 400 descendants and hopes to locate more before the reunion.

“This is such a special, magical place,” Morgan says. “I hope to share it with as many of my relatives as possible.”

Want to Visit?

Pharsalia

434-277-5231, pharsaliaevents.com


The story above is an excerpt from our May/June 2014 issue. For the rest of this story and more like it subscribe today, view our digital edition or download our FREE iOS app!

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