Shirley Plantation is Virginia's first plantation (1613) and one of the first economic engines of the new world. Only six years after John Smith's settlement at Jamestown, the crown grant carving Shirley Plantation out of the Virginia frontier was established. The chronicle of Shirley Plantation best exemplifies the period in our nation's history between the settlement at Jamestown in 1607 and the movement towards American independence from Great Britain in 1776. During its long history and under the leadership of one family, Shirley Plantation has survived the Indian Uprising, Bacon's Rebellion, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and the Great Depression.
Shirley Plantation is the oldest family-owned business in North America dating back to 1638. Construction of the present mansion began in 1723 when Elizabeth Hill, great-granddaughter of the first Hill, married John Carter, eldest son of Robert "King" Carter. Completed in 1738, the mansion, referred to as the Great House, is largely in its original state and is owned, operated, and lived in by direct descendants of Edward Hill.
The present mansion was begun in 1723 by Edward Hill III, a member of the house of Burgesses in the Virginia Colony, for his daughter Elizabeth, who married John Carter, eldest son of King Carter. It was finished in 1738 and is largely in its original state.
The home is recognized as an architectural treasure. Its famous carved walnut staircase rises for three stories without visible means of support, and is the only one of its kind in America.
The superb paneling and elegant wood carving are fine examples of the work of 18th-century artisans. Shirley is a home filled with family portraits, furniture, crested silver, and memorabilia.
A number of superb brick outbuildings, built in 1723, form a unique Queen Anne forecourt. These include a large two-story kitchen, laundry house, and two sturdy barns, including one with an ice cellar beneath it. This is the only standing example of this building method in the United States. Other original structures include the stable, smokehouse, and dove cote.
This historic estate provides an intimate study of a way of life spanning three centuries. A visit to Shirley is a step into American history.
Shirley Plantation has been designated a National Historic Landmark. No funds are received from any foundations or government agencies. The entrance fees paid by visitors help to preserve and improve this unique part of our heritage.