Shirley Plantation, Charles City

We decided to come on a whim the Saturday before Father's day. We were pleasantly surprised that admission to the grounds were free that particular day. The house itself was spectacular and we enjoyed.the grounds and gardens. They had an amazing 350 year old willow oak behind the house near the river. The was a very informative time-line of the history of the site found in the ice house building.

Beautiful historic home! The interior has been beautifully maintained over the generations, with tons of antiques original to the house. The portraits of the family members are beautiful. The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Very impressed!!!!

Beautiful and remarkable home. The people who constructed this home were truly craftsmen and built something that continues to stand the test of time. It’s hard to fathom that this family 13/14 generations later is still profiting from slavery. They profit from their ability to show and tell their family story, the “Carter family” to be precise. I don’t think it’s right to charge people to visit a space constructed using free labor. The Carter family wealth continues to accrue but what of the descendants of those enslaved here? I think more can be done here to right historical wrongs and set an example as “The oldest family run business in America.” If you’re selling the story include all the players, not just the story you choose to highlight.

Lovely old home with out-buildings open to the public. It has been the same family since before the American revolution. Still operates a farm growing pecan, wheat, soybeans and cotton.

It was a beautiful Plantation and we had gone 2 days before Thanksgiving 2022 to visit family on Virginia. When we arrived we waited for the 3:00 tour to begin. It started outside & the weather was sunny but chilly and very windy. The tour guide Kathy started outside with a lengthy explanation of the exterior and history of the buildings. Once we went inside she discovered there was no heat and it was 56 degrees in the house on the main floor which is where the tour is. Mind you my husband and I both wore masks and I had gloves, scarf and hood on during the entire tour. That evening about 3 hours later I started to get so sick from coughing and we had to leave Virginia without seeing our family, no thanksgiving & driving back straight through the next morning Wednesday 500 miles to Ohio. My husband ending up getting sick as well. Not Covid just horrible colds and we are still sick and it’s Saturday. Warning : If your going to visit this historic plantation during the cold season call in advance to make sure the home has heat. Especially if your older. Just wish the outcome was better because the history of the plantation was just fascinating and the guide was well informed.