Pleasure House, a tavern which was one of the first places in the New World where spirits could be had, was built in the 1600 or 1700s. Pleasure House Point, a spit of land jutting into the Lynnhaven, was located very close by.
America was first seen by English settlers in 1607 at Cape Henry which is located right here.
When the English arrived, they described seeing oysters “as big as dinner plates”, oysters so thick on the bottom you could walk across the bay, water that was clear enough to see 60 feet down…
The Lynnhaven, as it was named by Adam Thoroughgood, was renowned as having the best oysters in the world. The Native Americans already living here knew that.
These Lynnhaven oysters were coveted
by Royalty in Europe and Russia
for over a century, thanks to their
superior flavor, texture and size.
In the 1960′s the river was closed due to unhealthy environmental conditions.
Thanks to the hard work and dedication of many people and organizations like Lynnhaven River NOW, the Lynnhaven was partially reopened to shellfish farming in 2007.
Our family operated farm strives to recreate the experience of tasting the amazing bounty of the Lynnhaven as it was experienced in the past.
That spit of land, Pleasure House Point, was permanently preserved in 2012 and we enjoy viewing it from our farm as we work. Without it’s preservation, we would not exist.
To ensure that our valued customers can always enjoy Pleasure House Oysters, we’ve expanded our farm to include another location located near First Landing State Park in Broad Bay.
Please support the Lynnhaven oyster & the Pleasure House Oyster by helping ensure the Lynnhaven remains clean. Our thanks to you in return is our quest to revive the reputation of this oyster as the best in the world.