Historic London Town and Gardens was set up as a non-profit in 1993, but the history of London Town itself stretches back more than 300 years. The 23-acre plot is an immaculately preserved piece of the former tobacco and trans-Atlantic trade port that thrived on the edge of the South River from the late 17th century to the early 19th century. Visitors can learn about the history of the once-bustling town through archaeological excavations and landmarks such as the William Brown House, built around 1760 and still standing today. Other attractions include the reconstructed Lord Mayor's Tenement and carpenter shop, built to look just as they might have in the 1700s, as well as ten acres of woodland and ornamental gardens and a kid-friendly Sound and Sensory Garden .