Bring the family to Berkeley Plantation to explore the colorful autumn gardens, river shore, exhibits and tours.

“Pick a pumpkin and find your way through the plantation’s corn maze, all while learning Berkeley’s amazing history,” officials said in a press release. “The corn maze is included in Berkeley’s tour admission, an additional fee is charged to take home a pumpkin.”

According to the release, children are given a brochure upon arrival which takes them on a hunt through the plantation’s gardens and grounds, which includes the Harrison graveyard and monuments to “Taps” and the first Thanksgiving.

“Guides in period costume conduct tours of the original manor house,” officials said in the release. “A short film and museum of Colonial and Civil War artifacts and Sidney King’s — a well-known historical artist — paintings are on display in the basement museum.”

The release cited during September, Berkeley offered a special rate to homeschooled students and their families.

“Twilight Tours of Berkeley’s hauntings and progressive ghost tours are offered on specific days during the season,” officials said in the release. “On the first Sunday in November, Berkeley celebrates the historic 1619 landing with the Virginia Thanksgiving Festival.”

According to the release, in December the plantation is decorated with 18th century holiday decorations of fresh greenery and natural arrangements from Berkeley’s gardens.

“Berkeley’s history begins in 1619 when settlers observed the first official Thanksgiving in America,” officials said in the release. “The 1726 Georgian mansion is the birthplace of Benjamin Harrison V, signer of the Declaration of Independence and three times governor of Virginia.”

The estate is also the birthplace of William Henry Harrison, ninth president of the U.S., and ancestral home of his grandson, Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd president.

“During the Civil War, Berkeley was occupied by Gen. George McClellan’s Union troops,” officials said in the release. “While at Berkeley, Gen. Daniel Butterfield composed the familiar tune ‘Taps,’ first played by his bugler, O.W. Norton.”

According to the release, Berkeley is a Virginia and National Historic Landmark located off Route 5 between Richmond and Williamsburg at 12602 Harrison Landing Road in Charles City. Those interested are directed to call (804) 829-6018 or (888) 466-6018 for more information.