Shirley Plantation, Colonial tobacco plantation in Charles City County, United States.
Shirley Plantation is a historic estate in Charles City County documenting over 400 years of agriculture and family life. The main house rises with red brick walls on a square foundation, while the kitchen, laundry, smokehouse and dovecote stand in separate buildings around the yard.
The Hill family acquired the land in 1638, only 25 years after the first settlement. Over the centuries ownership changed through marriage and inheritance but remained within related families.
The name comes from Elizabeth Hill Carter, known locally as Lady Shirley, who gave the estate its nickname during the 18th century. The main house and its support structures show the daily routine of a large plantation where enslaved people performed all heavy labor until the Civil War.
Access is limited to a few public events each year, including Historic Garden Week in April and a holiday event in December. Visitors planning to attend should check dates in advance and bring sturdy footwear.
A freestanding walnut spiral staircase connects the floors without visible supports. The construction is considered a rare example of colonial-era carpentry.
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