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A Facelift for Shirley's Great House
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| Four-hundred-year-old Shirley Plantation is undergoing a historically accurate facelift of its porticoes. Visitors to the beautiful and historic 11-generation family plantation will see two-story scaffolding covering the landside and riverside entrances to the three-story Great House. They will also have the opportunity to observe workers repairing columns, porch ceilings, and decks. Shirley’s Great House, built between 1723 and 1738 by John Carter, was originally constructed with one-story porches. In 1831 the landside and riverside entrances were expanded by plantation owner Hill Carter to the present ornamental porticoes adorning the house. Between 1832 and 1850, Carter further enhanced the porticoes to include plastering and stuccoing, adding a tin roof, and copper floors. This is Shirley’s first restoration project since present owner and administrator Charles H Carter III donated an easement on the property to the Commonwealth of Virginia in 2006. The easement ensures that the scope of work and craftsmen selected for the restoration are approved by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, and that the state’s senior architectural historian has approved the restoration plan. It will be the overall responsibility of the Virginia Department of Historical Resources to ensure repairs are historically accurate. Installation of the restored columns is expected to occur the week of February 12, with repairs to both porticos completed by March 2007. Shirley Plantation is located on Scenic Route 5, just 10 miles east of Richmond and 35 miles west of Williamsburg. Shirley is open 7 days a week, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $10.50 for adults and $7.00 for youth, with discounts available for AAA members, military, and seniors. |
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© 2007 Shirley Plantation. All rights reserved. Website: First Graphics, Inc.