Telling the stories of ordinary people who lived through extraordinary times in American history.

The house was built by William and Christian Eppes Gilliam. The Gilliam family arrived in Virginia in the 17th century as indentured servants but by the late 18th century the family had amassed several properties in the area. Christian was the daughter of Richard and Christian Robertson Eppes of nearby Appomattox Manor. Her maternal grandfather was a descendant of Pocahontas.

Listed on the National Register of Historical Places, Weston is considered notable for preserving much of its original interior, especially its distinctive moldings, wainscoting and chair rails.

Volunteers and staff tell the stories of ordinary individuals who lived through extraordinary times in American history.

• A family with its roots in 17th century colonial America builds an impressive house on the Appomattox River and deals with life in a brand new country.

• Enslaved laborers provide the work force that sustains the plantation.

• A twelve-year-old girl and her family flee Hampton and the Union Army and become refugees at Weston, only to find themselves once more living in a war zone.

• An immigrant family begins a new life at Weston during the unsettled postwar period.

In 2008 Historic Hopewell Foundation opened two new structures on the site. After extensive archeological research the two main dependencies were reconstructed – the summer kitchen and the laundry. These structures allow us to expand the stories we tell and include all those who lived on the site.

The following photo shows the manor in 1864 when occupied by Union troops during the American Civil War.

Below is a photograph taken along the Appomattox River in the mid to late 1800’s. The view from the Weston Manor pier would have been very similar.