| 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. |
