DCR Virginia

Since David (my husband) and I have been staying in the cabins at Chippokes Plantation State Park since 1999, it is hard for me to remember my very first impression of the cabin. Well, that isn't entirely true. I had the opportunity to see the cabins when we first opened them and that's the impression that stays with me.

Cabin 2 is the oldest of the three houses, is one of the oldest structures on the Plantation, and was the overseer's house. Cabin 1 is a 1947 reproduction of an earlier structure. Cabin 3, the Osborne House, dates to 1930 and served as a tenant farmer residence. In fact, if you read the cabin journals, you will note that every once in a while descendants of the Osbornes will visit and tell guests about what it was like to live there. If you believe the journal in cabin 2, you may get visits from ghosts of former residents.

We made an effort to furnish the cabins with colonial reproduction-style furnishings. This is state government now, so I don't mean something you'd pick up at Colonial Williamsburg's Craft House. Cabin 2 is the star with it's claw footed bath tub and replica old-fashioned yet modern stove (that set the state back some). But there are also little touches that make the cabins different from other Virginia State Park cabins, lace doilies, silk flower arrangements, comforters. While a couple of the cabins have fireplaces, they are not working fireplaces. As historic structures, we have to forgo that little romantic addition.

The Chippokes cabins are very popular. The good news is that thanks to the 2002 State Park and Natural Area Bond Referendum, we have a couple of more cabins in the final stage of renovation.

When we checked in Friday night, we found that the housekeeping staff had left us a surprise, two valentines and a small box of candy. What a special touch!

There is one other amenity that the Chippokes cabins have that you won't find in any other state park cabin. If you are not a Virginia State Parks employee and know the answer, send a comment to this post with the answer and I'll send you a State Parks Special Edition Monopoly Game.

For more information on the park, visit the Chippokes Plantation State Park web page. To reserve a cabin at Chippokes Plantation State Park, call 800-933-7275, or reserve on line.

Comments for A Stay in the Osbourne House at Chippokes Plantation State Park

Monday, March 2, 2009 by Nancy Heltman:: No one got the answer to the question as to what amenity the cabins at Chippokes Plantation State Park have that no other Virginia State Park cabins have. The correct answer: televisions.