Bacon’s Castle was originally home to a prosperous planter, Arthur Allen, and his family. Following Allen’s death, the house was inherited by his son, Major Arthur Allen II. A loyalist supporter of the colonial government and member of the House of Burgesses, Major Allen was driven from his house in 1676 by followers of the patriot rebel Nathaniel Bacon, whose uprising later came to be known as Bacon’s Rebellion. The episode later gave Bacon’s Castle its name though the house remained in the Allen family until 1844.

Preservation Virginia acquired Bacon’s Castle in the 1970s. After extensive research and restoration, the house was opened to the public in 1983. Throughout the season, Bacon’s Castle hosts many special events for families as well as academic symposiums and hands-on workshops. On weekends, visitors to the house can enjoy a guided tour of the interior of the house, a self-guided tour of the grounds, outbuildings, gardens, or browse the museum store. A cell phone tour is available dawn to dusk on days when the site is not open to the public.