400th Anniversary of Shirley Plantation

Far shot of approach to Shirley Plantation's Great House.

This year marks the 400th year of Shirley Plantation in Charles City, Virginia! 

Shirley is the first plantation in Virginia!  That is really saying something--it was settled in 1613.

When you arrive at Shirley you are a one-of-a-kind Colonial place--according to experts there is no other place that holds so many original colonial plantation buildings on original site!

Shirley Plantations Great House, Charles City, VA.

The Great House is spectacular!  When I was writing my novella "Return to Shirley Plantation" my hero, Matthew, approaches this home realizing how old it was even then (about 150 years old!) Look at the picture above and note the two story brick building to the left, in front of it and one to the right, also.  If you look to the left of the picture and the right in the margins forefront in the picture you will see a tiny bit of the two--two story L-shaped brick buildings that are closest to the parking area--the storehouse and the ice house.

Dovecote at Shirley Plantation

One of my favorite buildings in the Dovecote.  The colonials ate young doves.  It was fun to have a fellow history geek with me at Shirley and this person didn't know what it was.

Ice House at Shirley Plantation

This is a shot from inside of the ice house.  This large L-shaped brick building is on the right side forefront as you approach the house.

Exterior side of Shirley Plantation Store house

The Flemish bond brickwork is spectacular.  The bricks for the house and the buildings on the property were made onsite.

It is thought that indentured servants helped design and build the home and the outlying buildings on the property.


RT: Inside the storehouse building.  Note the wooden shutters. Various displays are showcased inside of the storehouse, hence the light fixtures.

Kitchen Display at Shirley Plantation

See the pie in the oven on the left?

Shirley Plantation's Kitchen

The kitchen is house on the first floor of a two story brick building to the right of the property and closer to the house.  On the side of the Great House there is an entry/exit door used to go to and from the kitchen.  The modern day kitchen is in the basement of the house.

The Carter family still owns the home although they were not the original owners of the property, Carters married into the Hill family and have occupied it for hundreds of years.  This is the oldest continuously working farm in Virginia!  Depending upon the time of year that you drive through, various crops are growing in the fields all around Shirley, which sits adjacent to the James River.

If you have never visited this National Historic Site, I encourage you to do so!  There is nothing quite like it!

Post cards of Return to Shirley Plantation and the 400th Anniversary Ornament

Giveaway:  We are giving away one of the beautiful 400th Year Anniversary Ornaments, thanks to Janet Appel, Director of Shirley Plantation, to one of our readers!  Leave a comment to enter!