Working plantation estate featuring one of America's most intact eighteenth-century plantation complexes, historic outbuildings, formal gardens, and collections that interpret centuries of agricultural and cultural history.
Guided house tours offered throughout the day
Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day
Seniors (65+): $22
Students: $15
Children ages 6–17: $8
Children 5 and under: Free
How to Get There
From Richmond (25 mi): Take I-64 east to VA-156 south, continue toward the James River plantations, then follow Shirley Plantation Road directly to the historic estate entrance.
Overview
Shirley Plantation is the oldest active family-owned business in North America, run by descendants of the Hill-Carter family since it was established along the James River in 1613. Its centerpiece is the Great House, a striking example of Georgian colonial architecture completed in 1738, filled with original family furnishings and collections spanning more than three centuries.
Guided tours cover the Great House interiors and grounds — formal gardens, historic outbuildings, and barns overlooking the James River — while examining the lives of the families, workers, and enslaved people who shaped the plantation across the colonial, Revolutionary, and Civil War eras. It's one of Virginia's most compelling stops for a deeper look at the region's plantation history.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for Shirley Plantation, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.
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