We selected just two of the eight great Virginia plantations along the James River to visit. Down a long gravel road lined with trees we crossed through acres of cotton and soybean fields on the Shirley Plantation. It is Virginia’s oldest plantation established in 1613. Here lies the story of eleven generations of one family who to this day continue to own, operate, and work this grand southern plantation. Shirley Plantation became one of the first economic engines of the new world. Tobacco was grown before the soil later became depleted.
We enjoyed a guided tour of the Great House highlighting original family furnishings, portraits, silver, and hand-carved woodwork as well as stories of the Hill-Carter family, eye witnesses to eleven generations of American history.
Several features such as the "Flying Staircase" and the Queen Anne Forecourt are the only remaining examples in America of this architectural style. Each room had a beautiful circular gold design plate on the floor to close off heat fired from beneath the house. The main parlor had a hot and cold water faucets on the fireplace wall inside for convenience.
 |
| Cotton fields |
 |
| Cotton bud and open bloom |
 |
| Smoke house hams curing |
As we approached onward to check out Berkeley Plantation there was lots of aftermath debris left by Hurricane Irene along the roadsides. This plantation sitting along the river banks of the James River was well worth the scenic drive. It was the family home of the Harrisons, who gave us both a President and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Berkeley is supposed to be the oldest three-story brick house in the state with the first known pediment roof. Another fun fact is that "Taps" was composed here during the Civil War.
The terraced gardens with boxwoods along the pathways leading down to the river and Harrison cemetery were quite lovely. Off in the distance today at the plantation acres and acres of soy bean and corn are the cash crops. A far cry from when corn was being boiled to make the first bourbon whiskey in America. I always thought of plantations as “Civil War” but they were around long before that period.
At Berkeley Plantation you can forget about everything you learned in school about those puritanical Pilgrims who arrived on "The Mayflower". I don't know if anyone has changed the history books, but officially, the first Thanksgiving was held on Dec. 4, 1619 at this plantation and the settlers arrived on "The Margaret" before the Mayflower ever reached Plymouth Rock . Sounds weird, doesn't it? If everyone knew about this, it would kill the sales of those salt and pepper shakers dressed in Pilgrim garb.
 |
| Geese enjoying a swim on the plantation |
As we approached onward to check out Berkeley Plantation there was lots of aftermath debris left by Hurricane Irene along the roadsides. This plantation sitting along the river banks of the James River was well worth the scenic drive. It was the family home of the Harrisons, who gave us both a President and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Berkeley is supposed to be the oldest three-story brick house in the state with the first known pediment roof. Another fun fact is that "Taps" was composed here during the Civil War.
The terraced gardens with boxwoods along the pathways leading down to the river and Harrison cemetery were quite lovely. Off in the distance today at the plantation acres and acres of soy bean and corn are the cash crops. A far cry from when corn was being boiled to make the first bourbon whiskey in America. I always thought of plantations as “Civil War” but they were around long before that period.
At Berkeley Plantation you can forget about everything you learned in school about those puritanical Pilgrims who arrived on "The Mayflower". I don't know if anyone has changed the history books, but officially, the first Thanksgiving was held on Dec. 4, 1619 at this plantation and the settlers arrived on "The Margaret" before the Mayflower ever reached Plymouth Rock . Sounds weird, doesn't it? If everyone knew about this, it would kill the sales of those salt and pepper shakers dressed in Pilgrim garb.
We enjoyed a guided tour of the Great House highlighting original family furnishings, portraits, silver, and hand-carved woodwork as well as stories of the Hill-Carter family, eye witnesses to eleven generations of American history.
Several features such as the "Flying Staircase" and the Queen Anne Forecourt are the only remaining examples in America of this architectural style. Each room had a beautiful circular gold design plate on the floor to close off heat fired from beneath the house. The main parlor had a hot and cold water faucets on the fireplace wall inside for convenience.
