Endview remained in the Curtis family's possession until 1985. Curtis had to sign an oath of allegiance to the United States in order to legally possess his home again. After the war was over, the Curtis's returned to their estate, which was under control of the Freedman's Bureau. Curtis's wife, Maria, tended to the wounded soldiers before abandoning the estate when the Confederate army retreated that May.

During McClellan's Peninsular Campaign of 1862, Endview served as a Confederate field hospital and campground during the Siege of Yorktown. In 1861, at the outbreak of the Civil War, Curtis formed the Warwick Beauregards who later mustered in to the 32nd Virginia Infantry Regiment. Curtis was one of two surgeons in the peninsular region and he was a highly respected member of southern society. Humphrey Harwood Curtis purchased the estate. Throughout the Antebellum Era, this plantation stayed in the Harwood family name and produced tobacco, wheat, and supported livestock. This plantation house was built in 1769 by William Harwood, whose ancestors had owned the land for nearly 130 years prior. Evidently, the cabins were built by the city to accommodate war reenactors on the property during plantation events.Located just outside the city limits of Newport News stands Endview Plantation.

There lies a collection of cabins located in the woods behind the home – the cabins are very small, with built in bunk-beds. Southeast Virginia Investigations explored the property in 2012 and gathered evidence of possible paranormal activity, such as strange noises and voices on digital recordings. Over the years, varying accounts tell tales of haunting and strange phenomena on the plantation. After a two-year rehabilitation project, Endview was opened to the public as a historic house museum in 2000. The property has been used for military reenactments including events related to the 225th anniversary of the Siege of Yorktown which was held in 2006. An inscription on one of the mantles in the upstairs of the home is a visual reminder of the occupation by both the Confederate and Union forces. The City acquired Endview in 1995 and slated it for restoration. But I’m not someone who’s seen anything, nor do I want to.” ~ Endview Curator, 2012Įndview survived both the destruction of the American Revolution and Civil War. “I’ve had some experiences, but don’t think I’ve seen anything appear. I’m sure there are realms of the paranormal, alternative realities that we don’t understand. During the Civil War, Confederate generals occupied the property, where the plantation residence served as a military hospital during Peninsula Campaign. During the War of 1812, the military utilized the property. General Thomas Nelson’s Virginia Militia used it as a shelter shortly before the surrender of the British. The 247-year-old house and grounds were used by military forces during the Revolutionary War. The admirable captain served as a militia officer, tobacco inspector, and later the Speaker of the House of Burgesses. In 1769, William Harwood completed the Georgian-style house located on the expansive property of the Great Warwick Road – this long road linked the colonial capital of Williamsburg with the harbor town of Hampton. The twenty-four-acre property contains three secondary buildings, two cemeteries, two road traces, and a newly constructed earthen fortification. His great-great-great grandfather Captain Thomas Harwood owned a 1,500-acre plantation dubbed Queen’s Hith, an Old English term meaning “river landing”. William Harwood emigrated from England in 1622. Harwood Plantation is located on Route 238 in the Lee Hall community of Newport News.

Endview plantation address