Meadow Farm


Meadow Farm is a historic farm and estate in Henrico County, Virginia. It is best known for its role in Gabriel's Revolution. The main farmhouse was built in the late eighteenth century and is a well preserved example of small Virginia plantations of the time. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. The estate is now owned and operated by Henrico County as the Meadow Farm Museum.

History

Starting in the early eighteenth century, Meadow Farm was owned by several generations of the Sheppard family. The Sheppard family raised livestock and grew crops such as tobacco, wheat, and corn. In 1800, two slaves named Tom and Pharaoh informed then owner Mosby Sheppard about a planned slave revolt in August of that year. Mosby Sheppard informed then governor James Monroe, who halted the rebellion before it could begin. Mosby Sheppard later served in the Virginia Militia for the War of 1812.
Doctor John Mosby Sheppard, son of Mosby Sheppard, later inherited the estate. John Sheppard, who's life and time period is depicted at the now museum, practiced medicine on the site and his medical office still stands today. John Sheppard's grandson, General Sheppard Crump, was last of the Sheppard family to live at Meadow Farm. After Sheppard Crump passed away, his widow lived in the house until eventually donating the property to Henrico County.

Architecture

The main dwelling at Meadow Farm is a story-and-a-half frame house. The house is a well preserved farm house of its time and important interior details survive such as the stairs and banisters, mantels, baseboards, and floors. The house has a gabled roof with exterior end chimneys. There is Greek Revival porch on the house which dates to the 1840s. Later additions were made to the house, such as a shed wing and a large two story wing on the rear.

Meadow Farm Museum

The 1860 period living history farmsite and museum presents programs and exhibits on the culture of the rural South. The buildings include the farmhouse, barn, doctor's office, blacksmith forge and kitchen.
The museum is featured in "Welcome to the Meadow Farm Museum", a 10-minute Henrico County TV film available for viewing online.