President Abraham Lincoln visited Union General George Hartsuff at Centre Hill on April 7, 1865, just days after the fall of Petersburg and Richmond. In 1909, President William Howard Taft lunched at the mansion. Built in 1823 by Robert Bolling IV, Centre Hill remained a lavish Petersburg residence until 1936. Often described as a symbol of the grandeur of nineteenth-century Virginia aristocracy, the home’s interior features outstanding examples of Greek Revival, Federal and Colonial Revival architecture.
The basement galleries feature exhibitions on the history of Petersburg, including memorabilia and photographs from Centre Hill’s archives, a turn-of-the-century aviary of stuffed birds from Australia and furnishings from First Baptist Church in Petersburg, the oldest African-American congregation in the United States.
Centre Hill has been used as a set for many feature films and TV series, including Killing Lincoln, Turn and Mercy Street.
Admission fee charged. Gift shop on-site.
DID YOU KNOW?
For several years on the evening of January 24, residents of Centre Hill heard what they believed to be ghosts of Civil War soldiers marching up and down the home’s staircase. A popular ghost watch is held annually on that date.
Amenities
- Family Friendly
- LGBT Friendly
Price Information
- $5/Adults, $4/Senior (60+), $4/Children (7-12), Free for Active Duty Military & Families
Region
Last Updated: 09/02/2020
