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former slaves to continue as paid
workers. When he returned to
Nottoway, most came along with
him. However, producing sugar had
become less profitable and by 1875,
the plantation was reduced to 800
acres. John Randolph died at
Nottoway on September 8, 1883
leaving the property to his wife.
Touring Nottoway
Today the 35-acres of Nottoway
are opening for touring, dining and
overnight lodging. Most visitors are
stunned when they first glance at
the Big House; it’s massive. The
house has 64-rooms and six interior
stairways within a 53,000 squarefoot structure. During the
antebellum period, Nottoway led
the times with indoor carpeting,
gas lighting, running water, a
bowling alley and an elaborate
servant call bell system.
The front of the house faces the
levee and Mississippi River. Years
earlier, a horse and carriage path
approached the house. Today,
visitors enter on the second-floor
after climbing the twin spiral
staircase. I found it easy to envision
a greeting party waving to arriving
guests from this entrance balcony
or the one on the third floor.
When the front door opened for
my group, a guide in a white hoopskirted dress stepped out to meet us
and begin the tour. She explained
that the central hall runs the length
of the house, some 40 feet long
and 12 feet wide. Large crystal and
brass chandeliers hang from the
15.5-foot-high ceilings, and family
portraits grace the walls.
To the right of the entrance hall
rests the impressive White Ballroom,
reportedly John Randolph’s favorite
room in the house. Randolph had it
painted entirely white, including the
flooring, to show off the natural
beauty of his seven daughters, six
of whom married there. The room
is beyond stunning, with white
floor-to-ceiling silk drapes, white
upholstered furniture and two
fireplaces with hand-carved rococo
white marble mantles. Certainly one
of the most memorable rooms I’ve
ever walked around.
The visit continued into the lavish
dining room and upstairs to the family
quarters. No doubt Mr. Randolph was
out to impress; you see and feel the
immense wealth of this family and
their home through the original and
antique furnishings, musical
instruments, art and decorations.
Visitors find the first-floor basement
transformed into a restaurant and a
small museum. Historically the space
held the laundry, dairy, wine cellar
and servants quarters, as well as
a 10-pin bowling alley.
While I enjoyed peeking at the
high-society life of Antebellum days,
I do feel Nottoway needs to speak
to the life of the slaves who kept
the plantation running. Perhaps
they will add this element to their
tour in the future.
in spotless chambers of the big
house with antique beds and
authentic furniture and accessories.
Private baths feature modern basins
and fixtures, chosen to blend in with
the original designs. I would truly
love to experience a night in the
mansion and stroll the grounds in
the evening and early morning.
Must be quite a step back in time!
For an authentic taste of plantation
life, guests can stay overnight at
Nottoway. The house serves as an inn
and is a member of Historic Hotels
of America, the official program
of the National Trust for Historic
Preservation. Choose between the
renovated historic Mansion rooms
and the deluxe hotel rooms of the
Cottages and Carriage House.
Although the Cottages and Carriage
House resemble typical plantation
buildings, they are modern luxury
hotel rooms with plush beds, deluxe
private baths, wireless Internet
access and flat-screen TVs. Each
cottage has two individual units
with a single covered porch and
oversize rocking chairs; the Carriage
House rooms overlook the plantation
grounds or sugarcane fields.
Resort amenities include casual and
fine dining restaurants, an outdoor
pool, tennis courts and an on-site
salon and spa. Many brides choose
to marry and hold receptions at
the resort.
Nottoway’s historic rooms allow you
to sleep as the Randolph family did,
Disclosure: Many thanks to Travel
South for my visit to Nottoway.
Stay at Nottoway
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