History of Langley AFB

Most of our VIPMOAA members live in Williamsburg, Yorktown, Hampton, and Newport News areas. We also have members in Mathews, Hayes, Arc, Gloucester, James City County, Poquoson and elsewhere.  Military installations include Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Yorktown Naval Weapons and multiple Coast Guard Stations.

The Colonial Williamsburg is the center of the historic region that encompasses Historic Jamestowne, Jamestown Settlement, Colonial National Historic Park, and Yorktown. 

Just next to the Williamsburg area along Virginia’s scenic Route 5 in Charles City County are five historic James River Plantations. The plantations and farms along the James River  are gracious manor houses and are preserved National Register properties.

• The Shirley Plantation is Virginia’s first plantation in 1613.

•  Berkeley Plantation is the most historic plantation for on Dec 4, 1619, early settlers from England came ashore here and observed the first official Thanksgiving in America. Benjamin Harrison V, signer of the Declaration of Independence and three times governor of Virginia was born here.  William Henry Harrison, 9^th President and his grandson Benjamin Harrison, the 23^rd President, were born here at the Berkeley Plantation.

• Sherwood Forest Plantation was the home of John Tyler, 10^th President, from 1842 until 1862.

•  Westover Plantation is a grand mid-18^th century plantation owned by the Byrd family. This is a premier example of Georgian architecture.

• Evelynton was part of William Byrd’s expansive Westover Plantation. The property was named for Byrd’s daughter, Evelyn. The site has been home to the Ruffin family since 1847.