| March 1-31, 2012 |
Woman's History Month - Five Courageous Women. These five women were chosen from Shirley Plantation’s history and researched in depth revealing the incredible influence these women had on the daily operations, entertainment, social networks, travel, politics, and the management of North America’s oldest family business. |
| February 1-29, 2012 |
Courting in the Colonies. For lovers and couples of all ages, come to Shirley for a romantic tour while enjoying original family love letters and romance stories. Romance tours included with the price of admission. |
| January 13-16, 2012 |
Civil War to Civil Rights. Make the connection in your mind between Confederate General Robert E. Lee and the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr., separated by nearly 100 years of history yet similar in so many ways. Included with the price of admission. |
| January 1-31, 2012 |
Ice Harvest. Discover how ice was harvested from fresh water ponds and how ice lasted through the hot Virginia summer until the next winter harvest. Included with the price of admission. |
| December 11, 2011 |
McCary's Migrants. Enjoy a bird walk around Shirley Plantation with resident birder Tom McCary and Randy Carter, member of the 11th generation of the Hill Carter family. 8:30am. Reservations required in advance. Special Fee. |
| December 3, 2011 - January 6, 2012 |
Home for the Holidays. Guided house tours feature holiday decorated rooms and family stories representing 11 generations of the Hill Carter family’s Christmas celebrations. Included with the price of admission. |
| December 3, 2011 |
Christmas Open House. Kickoff the holiday season with complimentary refreshments from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Christmas Church services will be held at 12 Noon and 2:00 p.m. Included with the price of admission. |
| November 11, 2011 |
Veteran's Day. Shirley honors the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces with complimentary admission for all veterans. Military history thematic tours featured. Donations collected for Disabled American Veterans. |
| October 29, 2011 |
Silent Auction for a Ghost Watch on Halloween Night. Bid on a silent auction for a paranormal investigation at Shirley Plantation. 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on October 29. |
| October 29, 2011 |
Ghostly Book Signing with Beth Brown. Meet award winning author Beth Brown. Signed copies of Haunted Plantations of Virginia available from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. |
| October 29, 2011 |
Ghostly Tales and a Graveyard Trail. Mourning rituals cemetery walk at 5:00 p.m. led by the family ghost, Aunt Pratt. Included with the price of admission. |
| October 23-31, 2011 |
Legendary Aunt Pratt Tours. Guided house tours focus on the tragic deaths and mysterious happenings including the tales of the family ghost, Aunt Pratt. Included with the price of admission. |
| September 22 & 23, 2011 |
Homeschool Days. Homeschool groups are always welcome at Shirley. Hands-on educational programs make field trips fun and memorable. |
| July 13, 2011 |
News from across “The Pond". Shirley Plantation featured in June 2011 The Heraldry Gazette. |
| July 13, 2011 |
Places that shaped the early history of the United States … Shirley Plantation featured in Summer 2011 Travel Special. |
| July 4, 2011 |
Fourth of July Ice Cream Social at Shirley Plantation. Cool off and enjoy Independence Day at America’s first plantation. Thematic tours focused on Revolutionary war stories from the Carter Family of Shirley. Complimentary ice cream from 2-4 p.m. while supplies last. Included with the price of admission. |
| June 19, 2011 |
Father's Day. How Did Your Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great Grandfather Influence You? Bring your father and enjoy a wonderful day with a thematic tour focusing on the fathers of 11 generations of the Hill Carter family. Included with the price of admission. |
| May 28-31, 2011 |
Military History and Memorial Day Weekend. Military thematic tours focusing on one family’s military service spanning 350 years. Hear the stories from the men of Shirley, free and enslaved, who fought and died for their country. Included with the price of admission. |
| May 12 & 13, 2011 |
Homeschool Days. Homeschool groups are always welcome at Shirley. Hands-on educational programs make field trips fun and memorable. |
| May 8, 2011 |
Mother's Day. How Mothers Shaped 400 Years of History. Bring your Mother to Shirley to enjoy a wonderful day featuring thematic tours focused on the mothers of 11 generations of the Hill Carter family. Included with the price of admission. |
| April 23, 2011 |
Easter Egg Hunt. Bring your own basket (BYOB) and enjoy an egg hunt through the gardens. For children ages 3 to 10. Included with the price of admission. |
| March 26, 2011 |
Founders and Patriots Honor Edward Hill II. The Virginia Society of the Order of Founders and Patriots of America will dedicate a marker honoring the life of Edward Hill II of Shirley Plantation. |
| March 1-31, 2011 |
They Changed More Than Diapers. Find out how the women of Shirley saved the plantation from destruction and financial ruin and influenced the history of Shirley Plantation. Included with the price of admission. |
| February 14, 2011 |
Shades of Gray at Shirley Plantation
Book Signing with Jessica James
On February 14, meet Jessica James, award-winning author of Shades of Gray, a Civil War novel that takes place entirely in Virginia. Shades of Gray has twice climbed to number one on Amazon’s best seller list in its category. |
| February 1-14, 2011 |
Passion on the Plantation. For lovers and couples of all ages, come to Shirley for a romantic tour while enjoying original family love letters and romance stories. Romance tours included with the price of admission. |
| January 16-19, 2011 |
Civil War to Civil Rights. Make the connection in your mind between Confederate General Robert E. Lee and the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr., separated by nearly 100 years of history yet similar in so many ways. Included with the price of admission. |
| January 1-31, 2011 |
Ice Harvest. Discover how ice was harvested from fresh water ponds and how ice lasted through the hot Virginia summer until the next winter harvest. Included with the price of admission. |
| January, 2011 |
Who Says You Can’t “Grow” New Topsoil?
Shirley Plantation and Charles H. Carter III featured in No-Till Farmer publication. Click here to read entire article. |
| December 12, 2010 |
McCary's Migrants. Enjoy a bird walk around Shirley Plantation with resident birder Tom McCary and Randy Carter, member of the 11th generation of the Hill Carter family. 8:30am. Reservations required in advance. Special Fee. |
| December 1, 2010 - Janary 6, 2011 |
Home for the Holidays. Guided house tours feature holiday-decked rooms and family stories representing 11 generations of the Hill Carter family’s Christmas celebrations. Included with the price of admission. |
| December 4, 2010 |
Christmas Open House. Kickoff the holiday season with refreshments and a Christmas Church service, 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Included with the price of admission. |
| November 11, 2010 |
Veteran's Day. Shirley thanks the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces with complimentary admission. |
| October, 2010 |
Shirley featured in Southern Lady Magazine. |
| October 30, 2010 |
Ghostly Book Signing with Beth Brown. Beth Brown will be signing books and sharing her interests in history and the paranormal from 1 PM to 5 PM on October 30, 2010 in the original Storehouse at Shirley Plantation. |
| October 30, 2010 |
Ghostly Walk to Cemetery. Mourning rituals cemetery walk at 5:00 p.m. led by the family ghost, Aunt Pratt. Included with the price of admission. |
| October 24-30, 2010 |
Legendary Aunt Pratt Tours. Guided house tours focus on the tragic deaths and mysterious happenings including the tales of the family ghost, Aunt Pratt. Included with the price of admission. |
| October 9, 2010 |
Discovery Day. Enjoy a day of learning with Shirley Plantation’s educational programs. Included with the price of admission. |
| Immediate Release |
Preserve, Protect and Pass On. Shirley Plantation Foundation. Join as a charter member to help preserve, protect and pass on the legacy of America's oldest family-owned business to future generations of Americans. |
| July 3, 2010 |
Independence Day Ice Cream Social. Cool off and enjoy Independence Day at America’s first plantation. Complimentary ice cream from 2-4 p.m. while it lasts. Included with the price of admission. |
| May 29-31, 2010 |
Military History and Memorial Day Weekend. The Hill Carter family stories of serving our country. Military thematic tours focusing on one family’s military service spanning 350 years. Included with the price of admission. |
| April 22, 2010 |
Our Kids Won’t Leave the Classroom. Enjoy a day of learning with Shirley Plantation’s educational programs. Included with the price of admission. Click here for programs scheduled. |
| April 22, 2010 |
Green Eggs and Land. Earth Day Celebration. Find out what farmers at Shirley Plantation have known for hundreds of years: “going green” is not a choice; it is a necessity for survival. |
| April 17-25, 2010 |
Garden Week at Shirley Plantation. Virginia is in bloom. “Join in America’s largest open house,” and learn how the Carter’s have been stewards of the land. Included with the price of admission. |
| April 3, 2010 |
Easter Egg Hunt (BYOB). Bring your own basket (BYOB) and enjoy an egg hunt through the gardens. For children ages 3 to 10. Included with the price of admission. |
| March 13, 2010 |
Walking and Talking with a Couple of Birdbrains. Enjoy a bird walk around Shirley Plantation with resident birder Tom McCary and Randy Carter, member of the 11th generation of the Hill Carter family. 8:30am. Reservations required in advance. Special Fee |
| March 1-31, 2010 |
Wonder Women of Shirley Plantation. Special thematic tours emphasizing the role of women of Shirley Plantation. Included with the price of admission. |
| February 1-14, 2010 |
Passion on the Plantation. For lovers and couples of all ages, come out to Shirley for a romantic tour while enjoying original family love letters and romance stories. Included with the price of admission. |
| January 16-19, 2010 |
Civil War to Civil Rights. Discover the connection between Confederate General Robert E. Lee and the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. Included with the price of admission. |
| January 1-31, 2010 |
Ice Harvest. Discover how ice was harvested from fresh water ponds and how the ice was able to last for an entire year. Included with the price of admission. |
| December 5, 2009 through January 5, 2010 |
Home for the Holidays. Guided house tours feature holiday-decked rooms and family stories representing four centuries of the Carter family’s Christmas celebrations. No additional fee. |
| December 5, 2009 |
Christmas Open House. Kickoff celebration to the Christmas season. Stories from eleven generations of family holidays. Warmed cider and refreshments by the fireplace in the Old Kitchen from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. No additional fee. |
| November 20, 2009 |
Charles Hill Carter, Jr., “Hill,” age 90, of Charles City, Va., passed away on Friday, November 20, 2009 after a long illness. He was born August 16, 1919 at “High Hills” in Charles City County, Va.
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| November 11, 2009 |
Veterans Day. In appreciation for service to the United States of America free admission for all veterans with U. S. military identification. |
| October 31, 2009 |
Ghostly Book Signing. Haunted Plantations of Virginia Author, Beth Brown to host booksigning on October 31. |
| October 31, 2009 |
Ghostly Walk to Cemetery. Learn about mourning rituals on a sunset cemetery walk at 5:00 p.m. led by the family ghost, Aunt Pratt. No additional fee. |
| October 25-31, 2009 |
Legendary Aunt Pratt Ghost Tours. Guided house tours focuses on the tragic deaths and mysterious happenings including tales of the family ghost, Aunt Pratt. No additional fee. |
| October 11, 2009 |
Do The Birdwalk at Shirley Plantation. Shirley Plantation’s birding expert, Tom McCary will lead a bird walk on Sunday, October 11 beginning at 8:30 a.m. |
| July 4, 2009 |
Ice Cream Social. Cool off and enjoy Independence Day at America’s first plantation. Complimentary ice cream from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. while it lasts. No additional fee. |
| June 18-22, 2009 |
Home School Week. A week of hands-on programs, activities and demonstrations for home school students from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. each day. Reservations required in advance. Special fee. Click here for programs schedule. |
| May 23-25, 2009 |
Memorial Day Weekend. Thematic tours will focus on the true tales of valor and service from the ranks of the Hill Carter family dating back to the 17th century. No additional fee. |
| April 18-25, 2009 |
Gardens, Grapes and a Green Day. Garden Week, Wine Tasting and Earth Day at Shirley Plantation. |
| March 21, 2009 |
Birds of a Feather Flock Together at Shirley Plantation. Shirley Plantation’s birding expert, Tom McCary will lead a bird walk on Saturday, March 21 beginning at 8:30 a.m. Mr. McCary will guide participating birders into areas of the plantation normally not open to the public. |
| February 13-16, 2009 |
Passion on the Plantation. For couples of all ages, visit Shirley for a romantic tour while enjoying original family love letters and romance stories. Shirley’s famous parlor will be set for an 18th-century wedding reception. Visit Lady Cessalye’s Shop to pen a love letter with a feather quill. No additional fee. |
| January 19, 2009 |
Civil War to Civil Rights. Discover the connection between a famed Confederate general and a legendary Civil Rights leader during a walking tour. Confederate General Robert E. Lee and Martin Luther King, Jr. are two of the south’s most quoted men in history and they had more in common than you realize! No additional fee. |
| December 17, 2008 |
Book Signing by Nancy Carter Crump, Author of Hearthside Cooking. More than just a cookbook, Hearthside Cooking contains more than 250 recipes as well as information about the men and women who wrote the original recipes. Nancy Carter Crump is a culunary historian and founder of the Culinary Historians of Virginia. Booksigning from 2 - 4 p.m. |
| December 6, 2008 |
Christmas Open House. Kickoff celebration of the Carter family’s interpretation of 11 generations of Christmas – “Home for the Holidays.” Warmed cider and refreshments by the fireplace in the Old Kitchen from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. No additional fee. |
December 3, 2008 to
January 6, 2009 |
Home for the Holidays. Guided house tours feature holiday-decked rooms and family stories representing four centuries of the Carter family’s Christmas celebrations. No additional fee. |
| October 1-31, 2008 |
Bewitching Spirit of Aunt Pratt Lives On. Join us in celebrating the bewitching spirit of Halloween. Guided house tours focus on strange happenings and what goes bump in the night. Take a look at Aunt Pratt's portrait as Aunt Pratt takes a look back at you! |
| July 5, 2008 |
Ice Cream Social. Visit Shirley Plantation from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. for complimentary ice cream and celebrate America’s birthday at America’s first plantation. |
| May 8, 2008 |
Rare Shirley Wax Portrait. Shirley Plantation’s rare wax medallion of Baron de Botetourt is featured in the June, 2008 issue of “Early American Life.” |
| May 3, 2008 |
Home School Day. Shirley will host home-schooled students ages 5-18 for a day of learning and playing. There will be six new programs as well as several tried and true programs from last year’s Home School Day. Saturday, May 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. |
| April 19-26, 2008 |
Garden Week. Experience the glory of a spring day at Shirley Plantation during Virginia’s Historic Garden Week. Virginia’s first plantation will join in “America’s largest open house” with displays of colorful flowers throughout the Great House. |
| February 1-28, 2008 |
Romance at Shirley Plantation. February is the month of cold hands and warm hearts. In the spirit of St. Valentine, Shirley Plantation is bringing lovers together in many ways. |
| January 25, 2008 |
Notes on Virginia 2007 Edition. The Carter family and the staff of Shirley Plantation are proud to provide you with the 2007 edition of Notes on Virginia published by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR.) |
| November 17, 2007 |
Harvest Day. From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., Harvest Tours will include costumed interpretation around the grounds with story teller and historian “Farmer Frank” telling the story of how foods transitioned from the “dirt to dishes”. Along the way, meet Felix Simmons, a costumed cooper from Williamsburg making barrels, buckets, and other items for food storage and preservation. Meet Paul Fritz, a blacksmith hammering away and Carrie MacDougal, a maiden spinning wool – find out how all of these people and more all contributed to the harvest and food preservation. No additional fee. |
| October 31, 2007 |
Ghostly Evening. Dare to accept an invitation from Aunt Pratt to take a walk with her at 5:00 p.m. to the family cemetery. Only thing is, Aunt Pratt died in 1752. Guided walking tour with costumed interpreter, learn mourning traditions, ghost stories, and more. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Available only once a year. Included with regular admission.
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| October 26 through 31, 2007 |
Legendary Aunt Pratt Ghost Tours. Guided house tour focuses on the tragic deaths and mysterious happenings including tales of the family ghost, Aunt Pratt. No additional fee. |
| September 26, 2007 |
Shirley featured in Russion Agriculture Documentary Shirley Plantation was selected to participate in a Russian documentary by the United States Office of Agricultural Affairs in Moscow (a USDA affiliate). On Wednesday, September 26, 2007 the Deputy Editor in Chief of Kul’tur, (the last independent television station in Russia) along with his film crew spent the day interviewing Charles H. Carter III, 11th generation of the Hill Carter family. This history based documentary shifted its focus from the economic impact of America’s Civil War on farming to the commitment of one family and their connection to the land and their determination to keep it in the family. |
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June 16 - September 3, 2007
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Shirley Family Fun Days. It’s summertime and the learning is easy at Shirley! School’s out, so relax, unwind, and take in the view as you and your family spend a day of fun and exploration at Shirley Plantation on the scenic James River. Family-friendly programs will be offered to adults and children. |
| April 21-28, 2007 |
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| April 2007 |
Pet Goat Naming Contest Winners Announced. See who named our pet goats. More contests upcoming. |
| April 13, 2007 |
"Early American Home School Tradition and Activities" is theme of Shirley Home School Day. Shirley will host home-schooled students ages 5-18 for a day of learning and playing as the Carter family children did hundreds of years ago. Friday, April 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. |
| February 22, 2007 |
Governor Kaine Highlights Historic Restoration, Preservation Easements at Shirley Plantation. |
| February 12-28, 2007 |
A Facelift for Shirley's Great House. Four-hundred-year-old Shirley Plantation is undergoing a historically accurate facelift of its porticoes. Visitors will also have the opportunity to observe workers repairing columns, porch ceilings, and decks. |
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February 1-28, 2007
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Romance Month at Shirley Plantation. Romance stories of leaders in American history based on actual love letters discovered in the Shirley documents collection dating back to the 18th century. Real quill pens and ink provided for adults and children. |
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December 27, 2006
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Conservation Easements. Shirley Plantation recorded in Charles City County a conservation easement on over 120 acres. Grantees included the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and the Virginia Outdoors Foundation. |
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December 1, 2006 to January 6, 2007
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Twelve Generations of Christmas. Decorated by the staff of Shirley, each room of the Great House features a different century. Christmas tours tell how generations of the Hill Carter family have celebrated since 1638. Closed Christmas Day. |
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December 4, 2006
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Christmas Open House. Shirley features the beginning of their Christmas tours with hot cider stirred with cinnamon sticks and refreshments by the roaring fireplace in the Old Kitchen. |
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November 22-26, 2006
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Harvest Tour. “Where did all the food come from?” How did 400-year-old Shirley Plantation maintain a reputation for hospitality and plenty? On November 22, 24, 25, and 26, Shirley historical interpreters will explain to visitors how a Colonial plantation could present a bounteous table at harvest-time, while being entirely self-sufficient. Closed Thanksgiving Day. |
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October 27-31, 2006
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“Aunt Pratt” makes appearance on Halloween Tours. In keeping with the historical witchery of the Halloween season, late October visitors to Shirley Plantation may catch a glimpse of the legendary Shirley ghost Aunt Martha Pratt. Five days of special tours, October 27-31, will feature tales of mysterious happenings during the 393 years of Shirley Plantation history. A visit to the private Carter family cemetery at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 27 and Tuesday, October 31, will be led by Christine Crumlish Joyce, Curator of Shirley Plantation, accompanied by “Aunt Pratt.” |
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October 19, 2006
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“Life on a Plantation” is theme of Shirley Home School Day. Home-schooled children will have an opportunity to answer that question when they visit Shirley Plantation on Thursday, October 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. In the setting of an original historical plantation, children ages 5-18 will spend the day learning and playing as young people at Shirley did 200 years ago. |
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October 8, 2006
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“Mint Julep Cup” becomes first reproduction of Shirley’s silver collection. Silver beakers from the original Carter family silver collection at Shirley Plantation served as the model for the new beakers now available in the gift shop and online. The first 100 are stamped in this exclusive numbered series. |
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October 8, 2006
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Colonial Polo Cup. The third annual Colonial Polo Cup brought President Jefferson and an estimated 3,500 fans. Sponsor tent parties, tailgates, picnics, a parade, an exciting polo match with divot stomp, shopping, door prizes, a visit with the Budweiser Clydesdales, and people-watching galore makes this an action-packed day along the James River. Fundraiser for the Kiwanis Foundaton of Williamsburg. www.colonialpolocup.org |
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September 22, 2006
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Governor Kaine announces Shirley Plantation Easement Donation. Governor Timothy M. Kaine has announced that Shirley Plantation, oldest plantation in Virginia, will donate an easement on its property to the Commonwealth. The Governor made the announcement at the September 22 anniversary celebration of the Virginia Outdoors Foundation and Department of Historic Resources reception honoring the 40th anniversary of Conservation and Preservation Easement Programs in Virginia. |
