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 September 16th for a narrated and visual presentation of the history of this iconic mansion.
You can register for one of two available sessions during the afternoon.
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 receive a narrated historical tour of the mansion as well as some free time to photograph the property.
How will I get exact specifics and logistics for the event? An e-mail with that information will be sent in early September to the address used to register for the tickets. That information will also be published at "John Plashal Photo" on Facebook.
Is this the only tour you offer of the property? No. We also offer a tour geared specifically towards photographers. The Photography Tour does NOT offer a historical narration and was designed for guests who simply want access to the property in order to take pictures of it. Occasionally, we willl offer a tour called "The Dunnington Mansion Experience", which also includes a fascinating storytelling session from several of the Dunnington descendants revolving around their early memories of visits to "Granny Dunnington" during their youth. While this Historical Tour offers a visual narration, it does NOT include the stories from the Dunningtons themselves.
How long does the tour last? On average, the narrated tour lasts between 25-30 minutes, depending on the Q&A duration. You are allowed to roam and photograph the property for the remainder of the allotted time.
Will I get to see 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.
Can I take pictures during the tour? Yes you may. We have earmarked up to an hour for you to photograph the property. If you would like to spend more than an hour taking pictures, we recommend that you register for the Photography Tour, although that does not offer any historical narration. The lighting on the ground floor is low due to boarded up windows on the first floor so you may want to bring a tripod. In the event of a sunny day, the potential for shadows on the exterior of the house is high. And the first floor windows have recently been freshly boarded up. An accurate depiction of the current facade of the mansion is shown below.
I am less interested in the history of the property and more interested in just photographing it. Is this the tour for me? While you are able to take pictures during this tour, we highly recommend you participate in the Photography Tour, which will also take place on September 16h, but later in the afternoon. 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.
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, but not when the docents are speaking. So you will basically have an hour to fly and 30 minutes of a no-fly restriction. The Photography Tour allows drone flights for the entire 90 minutes.
Will I have access to restrooms during this event? Yes. There are restrooms in the nearby golf pro shop. The pro shop is just a few hundred yards away from the Mansion.
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? Unfortunately 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 also offer tours of the Belmead on the James and Swannanoa.
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.