Shirley Plantation, Charles City, VA - Historic Image 1953

This vintage photograph captures the historic Shirley Plantation located in Charles City County, Virginia. Established around 1650, the plantation is one of the oldest in the United States. It was granted to Colonel Edward Hill in 1660, who was a prominent figure in the Virginia House of Burgesses. The estate remained in the Hill family until it passed through marriage to the Carter family in 1723, where it continues to be associated today.

The image showcases the plantations gardens and trails, highlighting the landscape that has been cultivated for centuries. Shirley Plantation is not only significant for its architecture but also for its connection to American colonial history. It exemplifies the agricultural heritage and the landscape design of the period.

This photograph is part of the Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South and was acquired from the estate of Frances Benjamin Johnston in 1953. It serves as an educational artifact, preserving the legacy of this important Virginia landmark.

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