The two-story residence, built in 1853, is a common-bond brick structure, which has a kitchen at the east side of the dwelling, separated by a long hyphen.

[3] In 1612, English colonist John Rolfe introduced the cultivation of a special strain of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) in Jamestown for export to England, which was much better-liked by the Europeans than a harsher form which grew naturally in Virginia.

[3][a] As his tobacco became a cash crop for the struggling colony's economy, about 1615 he established a plantation estate[3] 50 miles (80 km) from the first settlement at Jamestown.

[3] Varina plantation was established across the river from Sir Thomas Dale's 1611 settlement at the progressive community in Henricus.

[5] The plantation became the home of Rolfe and his second wife, Rebecca (Pocahontas) whose father was the Powhatan tribe's leader for two years following their marriage in 1614 in Jamestown and then established their residence at Varina.

While they were abroad, Pocahontas died on March 21, 1617, and was buried at St George's Church, Gravesend in Kent, England.

[3] Union General Benjamin Butler and his troops engaged in a battle in 1864 that caused damage at the plantation and the area.

A pontoon bridge was built by Union troops upstream of the house so that they could cross the river on their way to Richmond.

In 2023 and 2024, the Henrico County Board of Supervisors made agreements to purchase the site for historic and environmental preservation.

With a total expenditure of $18.55 million, the purchase was the largest investment in land preservation in the county's history.

[11] The Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission has conducted surface investigations of Varina and have found evidence of prehistoric activity on the property, as well as artifacts from the 17th and 18th centuries.

[3] There is evidence of a colonial structure about 650 feet northeast of the main house, which was found during an archaeological study.