Shirley Plantation

Infobox_nrhp | name =Shirley
nrhp_type = nhl

---

caption = Main house of Shirley Plantation, July 2006
nearest_city= Hopewell, Virginia
lat_degrees = 37
lat_minutes = 21
lat_seconds = 21
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 77
long_minutes = 14
long_seconds = 39
long_direction = W
locmapin = Virginia
area =
built =1770
architect= Unknown
architecture= Georgian
designated= April, 1970cite web|url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=872&ResourceType=Building
title=Shirley|accessdate=2008-06-27|work=National Historic Landmark summary listing|publisher=National Park Service]
added = October 01, 1969
governing_body = Private
refnum=69000328cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2008-04-15|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]

Shirley Plantation is an estate located on the north bank of the James River in Charles City County, Virginia. It is located on State Route 5, a scenic byway which runs between the independent cities of Richmond and Williamsburg.

Shirley Plantation, settled in 1613, is the oldest active plantation in Virginia and said to be the oldest family-owned business in North America, dating back to 1638. Occupied by the Hill family and their descendants since 1738, the mother of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, Anne Hill Carter, was born at Shirley and in 1793, married Light Horse Harry Lee in the mansion’s parlor. 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 Carter family has lived in the house for ten generations, with the eleventh generation currently occupying the house.

Shirley Plantation has been designated a National Historic Landmark. It is normally open for tours 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. The house is the Carter family's only place of residence and therefore, only the bottom floor is open to tours.

References

External links

* [http://www.shirleyplantation.com/ Shirley Plantation]
* [http://www.shirleyplantation.com/aboutshirley.html]
* [http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/jamesriver/ James River Plantations, a National Park Service "Discover Our Shared Heritage" Travel Itinerary]