Originally known as the Poplar Hill Plantation, the current beautifully abandoned Dunnington Mansion was actually a very modest four room home before it was acquired by Captain John Knight, who eventually passed it down to his daughter India and her tobacco tycoon husband, Walter Grey Dunnington. A subsequent massive renovation by the Dunningtons expanded the square footage of the house to 8500, including 14 rooms. Currently abandoned for over two decades, the mansion now sits alone by herself, in a beautiful state of decay and in search of a new owner. Join us on April 29th for a self-guided tour of this iconic mansion. Take as many pictures as you want along the way!
THIS IS A NON-REFUNDABLE TICKET WITH NO REQUEST EXCEPTIONS. IF THE EVENT IS CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER, FULL REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED.
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What type of experience should I expect during this event with the purchase of a General Admission ticket? You will have a 90 minute window of opportunity to photograph the property and partake in a self-guided tour.
How many photographers should I expect at this event? We now cap the # of photogs at this event to twenty total for each of the two sessions.
What kind of light should I expect for photography? We cannot guarantee the absence of exterior shadows given a sunny day. The event was scheduled in the afternoon so photogs could take advantage of the softer light. . A tripod is a MUST for all DSLR users for the interior images, especially on the first floor, which now had boarded windows.
Is this the only tour you offer of the property? No. We also offer two separate historical tours.. "The Dunnington Mansion Historical Tour" offers a tour with historical narration. Occasionally, we willl offer a tour called "The Dunnington Mansion Experience", which includes a fascinating storytelling session from several of the Dunnington descendants revolving around their early memories of visits to "Granny Dunnington" during their youth.
How long does the tour last? This tour offers a 90 minute window of opportunity for you to explore and photograph the property.
Will I get to shoot the inside of the mansion? For the most part. Almost all of the rooms are structurally sound and accessible with a few exceptions. Those rooms will be cordoned off and access to them will be strictly prohibited for safety reasons. A tripod is A MUST for photographers as the light in the mansion can get low in the late afternoon.
I am less interested in the history of the property and more interested in just photographing it. Is this the tour for me? Yes. This tour caters to those who are strictly interested in photography.
What is your refund policy? This is a NON-REFUNDABLE TICKET with no exceptions. If you are unable to make the event due to ANY CIRCUMSTANCE, the money you paid for your ticket(s) will be donated to the Dunnington Mansion Foundation .
What should I bring to the event? Please check the weather forecast for Farmville, Va. before your departure and make sure to dress accordingly. .A tripod is a must for interior DSLR shots. DO NOT WEAR NICE SHOES. In late April, there is always the chance to pick up some ticks, so I would wear long pants and bring some bug spray.
Can you offer me a recommendation on local restaurants for lunch? There are plenty of local and tasty eateries in Farmville.The four that I recommend include Macado's, Charley's Waterfront Cafe, the North Street Press Club and The Fishin' Pig.
Will you conduct the event in bad weather? We reserve the right to cancel the program in the event of bad weather. Should a cancellation occur, a full refund will be offered and notifications will be sent no later than 2 days before the event so our guests can cancel hotel reservations without penalty.
I see that I have the option to donate additional money to the Dunnington Mansion Foundation. Can you tell me more about that organization? Sure. Here is the link : The Dunnington Mansion Foundation
Can I fly a drone at this tour? Yes. Please exercise etiquette towards your fellow photogs/pilots when doing so.
Will I have access to restrooms during this event? Yes. There are restrooms in the nearby golf pro shop. We will have a volunteer with a golf cart that will be able to transport you if you do not feel like walking. The pro shop is just a few hundred yards away from the Mansion for those that want to walk.
Do you offer discounts for youths, military or senior citizens? Unfortunately not for this event.
Are pets allowed? Pets are not allowed at this event.
Is the property handicapped accessible? Unfortunatley the property is not conducive to guests with physical disabilites.
Is this tour child friendly? No it is not. We respectfully request that no kids be present. We will not enforce it but ask that you keep the ticket purchases to adults only.
Do you conduct other events/tours in Virginia? Yes we do. Please visit www.johnplashalphoto.com for a comprehensive list of events. In addition to the Presidents Heads events, we will also offer 2023 tours of the Belmead on the James and Swannanoa that have not yet been scheduled as of late January.
I am traveling from afar and in search of lodging recommendations. Any suggestions? Farmville is just a few minutes away and has many lodging accommodations that fit ALL budgets. If you rent a place in town, make sure they have a policy that allows you to cancel without penalty at least 48 hours in advance, in case the event is canceled due to treacherous conditions.
Who do I contact if I have questions? Please contact John Plashal at "john@johnplashalphoto.com" with any questions.