Shirley Plantation

See the oldest plantation in Virginia.

The lands of the Shirley Plantation were settled by Sir Thomas West, the 3rd Baron De la Warr, in 1613. His wife was Lady Cecily Shirley, and this used to be a tobacco plantation. Over the years, more acreage was added by marriage and purchased. Eventually, Elizabeth Hill married John Carter, and after three generations of Hills, the Carter family began operating the farm. Charles and Lauren Carter live on the 2nd and 3rd floors of this historic house, but the first floor remains a house museum open to guided tours.

There are eight outbuildings on the 700-acre property, with 300 acres of farmland, 200 acres of marsh and wetland, and 200 acres of open area. The outbuildings include the original kitchen, an ice pit dome, a smokehouse, the stables, and a dovecote where they raised doves for eggs and food. This place is still a working farm with pecan trees, wheat and other grains, and shrimp farming. Guided tours of this historic plantation show guests the first floor with some of Elizabeth Hill Carter's furniture, family oil paintings, and original silver pieces dating back to the pre-Civil War era.

Shirley is the oldest plantation in Virginia. Guided tours are available Tuesday through Saturday at the following times: 10:30 am, 12 pm, 1:30 pm, and 3 pm. The grounds and outbuildings are open to the public Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. As you explore the grounds, check out the 350-year-old willow oak tree with signage, "This oak symbolizes the strength and longevity traits possessed by the 11 generations of the Hill Carter family residing at Shirley."