The fourth grade students of Surry County Public Schools had an outstanding field trip to Bacon's Castle last spring. They toured the 17th century garden, main house which showed different decorative styles of previous owners, and slave quarters to learn how enslaved people lived. Though the weather was poor, both students and faculty learned a great deal about the history and heritage of Bacon's Castle. The experience helped students connect what they learned to their Virginia Studies curriculum. The letter recommends the field trip for any educator wanting to provide students a hands-on experience of 17th-18th century life in Surry County.

1. October
25,
2012
To
Whom
it
May
Concern:
The
fourth
grade
students
of
Surry
County
Public
Schools
had
an
outstanding
experience
on
the
field
trip
they
attended
last
spring
to
Bacon’s
Castle.
The
students
visited
several
areas
of
the
property,
indoors
and
out.
One
of
the
first
stops
on
the
tour
was
of
the
Allen
family’s
17th
century
garden.
The
students
were
delighted
to
examine
the
wide
array
of
vegetables
and
plants
that
were
growing
or
beginning
to
grow
in
the
garden.
The
tour
guide
even
allowed
them
to
pinch
off
pieces
of
various
herbs
in
order
to
smell
them.
They
were
most
fascinated
with
this
activity.
Next,
they
moved
onto
the
main
house
where
they
learned
about
the
history
of
the
house
itself
and
its
previous
owners.
The
students
and
faculty
had
the
opportunity
to
see
parts
of
the
house
being
renovated.
It
was
interesting
to
see
the
different
decorative
styles
of
the
previous
owners
as
well
as
how
it
was
modernized.
Finally,
the
students
migrated
outside
to
view
the
grounds
behind
the
main
house.
They
were
eager
to
see
the
slave
quarters
and
venture
inside
to
see
how
enslaved
African
Americans
lived
during
this
time.
Even
though
the
weather
was
not
the
best
that
day,
both
students
and
faculty
learned
an
incredible
amount
about
the
history
and
heritage
of
Bacon’s
Castle,
a
place
where
many
of
them
and
their
families
have
never
visited.
The
staff
at
Bacon’s
Castle
were
passionate
and
a
pleasure
to
work
with.
They
interacted
beautifully
with
the
students
and
answered
their
questions
to
the
best
of
their
ability.
Even
more
importantly,
the
students
were
able
to
incorporate
the
knowledge
they
learned
on
the
field
trip
with
the
Virginia
Studies
objectives
they
have
been
learning
throughout
the
year.
This
experience
was
a
great
opportunity
for
review
as
well
as
an
extension
to
our
curriculum.
I
highly
recommend
this
experience
to
any
educator
who
wants
to
provide
their
students
with
a
hands-­‐
on
experience
of
what
life
was
like
in
the
17th
and
18th
century
in
Surry
County.
My
parents,
who
currently
reside
in
New
York,
visited
Bacon’s
Castle
this
summer
with
my
seven
year
old
son
and
they
were
very
impressed
with
the
tour.
They
were
amazed
at
the
amount
of
rich
history
that
is
here
in
Surry
County
at
Bacon’s
Castle.
Anyone
who
visits
will
not
be
disappointed!
Sincerely,
Jennifer
S.
Conner
Fourth
Grade
Team
leader
Surry
Elementary
School