Shirley Plantation Williamsburg Virginia
Shirley is dominated by the three story dutch.
Shirley plantation williamsburg virginia. Visit on your own without a tour guide. Berkeley plantation is the most historic plantation on the james river and is located between williamsburg and richmond in charles city, virginia. Shirley plantation stands as a testament to colonial life and early american history of the indigenous, settlers, indentured, and the enslaved.
While in charles city visiting plantations, don’t miss this one — the first plantation in virginia. Shirley plantation has the distinction of being the oldest virginia plantation in the old dominion dating to 1623. An active family farm, shirley is currently home to the 11th and 12th generations of the hill carter family.
Route 36 ends at route 10. The estate set prominently off the james river. It lies on state route 5, a scenic byway which runs between the independent cities of richmond and williamsburg.
Sponsored by the garden club of virginia. It is the most intact 18th century estate house in virginia and is occupied by the direct descendents of edward hill i who first established the plantation in 1638. African americans tended the fields, harvested the crops, maintained the house, cooked the meals, and provided the majority of skilled labor, including carpentry, masonry, and blacksmithing.
Tour proceeds fund the restoration and preservation of gardens throughout virginia. The estate set prominently off the james river. Go left on shirley plantation rd.
Shirley plantation sponsors the mccary’s migrants bird walk twice a year, in march and in december. Shirley plantation is an estate located on the north bank of the james river in charles city county, virginia, usa. Chartered in 1613 and the oldest plantation in virginia, shirley has been occupied by a single family, the carters, for 11 generations.