Tour of the Great House: Take the guided tour of the Great House which includes stories of the Hill Carter family members who have lived at Shirley for 11 generations.

Explore the Yard: Follow the compass directions and discover where you are! At each stop, list the purpose “it” may have served to the success of the plantation.

Colonial Schoolroom: Participate in a recreated classroom with lessons similar to those learned by young children on the plantation which include writing on a slate and penning with a quill.

Games and Amusements: Try a variety of 18th-century and 19th-century games including jacks, marbles, jack straws, “Close-the-box”, nine pins, and lawn bowling.

Brick-by-Brick: Handle original salvaged Shirley bricks to reconstruct a brick wall. Investigate original building materials and construction techniques used to design the “Great House” at Shirley. Learn how thick the brick walls truly are and how the bricks were laid.

Art in the Park: Take an art lesson on the lawn and paint a watercolor picture of the buildings or beautiful landscape overlooking the James River.

History Detective: Uncover the reality of Shirley’s experience during the Civil War by examining copies of primary source documents from Shirley’s archives. Inquire how this program can be adapted to most subjects and time periods throughout American history.

Slavery in the 19th Century: Explore the stories of all those who once lived at Shirley where written records of their cultures are sparse or non-existent. Explore primary source documents including slave rations, doctor’s receipts, and purchases from Shirley’s archives.

Dance Master: Do-si-do with the Virginia Reel and learn the gentry manners of the 19th century as well as learn a slave dance called a “jig.”

Role of Religion: Listen and learn about the various spiritual beliefs from Anglo-Saxon, African American, Island American, Irish, and others practiced during the Colonial era and how it influenced early America.

Courtesies: Practice the social graces young ladies and Virginia gentlemen were taught in the 17th and 18th centuries.

A Stitch in Time:  Needlework wasn’t just a hobby in the 18th & 19th centuries, it was used to teach children the ABC’s and 123’s along with making clothes and maintaining a household. Today’s students will take needle in hand and create their own sampler – a bookmark with their first initial to take home. Additional fee – $1.00 per student.

Student Group Admission Fees for School Year 2007-2008

*One chaperone per 10 students is recommended.

Admission fees include Tour of the Great House and Around the Yard plus two additional activities. Additional programs may be reserved for a fee of $1.50 per student. Allow a minimum of two (2) hours plus additional time if visiting the gift shop or bringing a brown-bagged lunch on site.

Punctuality in arrival time is imperative; late arrivals cannot be guaranteed their entire program. One form of payment for the entire group is due on the day of the tour.

For more information or to reserve a tour, call 1-800-232-1613 or email.