Christmas at the Colonial Plantations

The Beautiful James River
The plantations along the James River offer some fantastic views of the river and surrounding areas, as well as several plantations that offer tours. During the Holidays some of the plantation homes are decorated in traditional colonial holiday themes ... except for the fact that they include a Christmas tree, which was not introduced to America from Germany until Victorian times. Unlike the antebellum plantation mansions of the deep south, these colonial buildings are seemingly much more modest. It is true, however, that they were luxury homes in the 1700s ... but times were different. 

These estates entertained the truly privileged of their time. Presidents, generals, civic leaders all dined, danced and slept in these homes. We visited two of these historic estates ... the Shirley Plantation and the Berkeley Plantation.

Shirley Plantation
Shirley Plantation is Virginia’s first plantation, founded in 1613, after a royal land grant carved the plantation out of the Virginia frontier. Shirley Plantation is, incidentally, the oldest family-owned business in North America dating to 1638 when Edward Hill established a farm on the banks of the James River. Construction of the present mansion began circa 1723 when Elizabeth Hill married John Carter, eldest son of Robert “King” Carter. Completed in 1738, “Great House,” is largely in its original state and is owned, operated, and resided in by direct descendants of Edward Hill. The ownership has been in the same family for eleven generations!

Shirley Plantation Aerial View
Dining Room
Main Living Room
Entry with the Famous "Floating Staircase"
Another Beautiful Room
Old Oak Tree
The Kitchen, located in one of the out buildings, as was usual in Colonial times
The Dovecoat
The Berkeley Plantation, which is next door to the Shirley Plantation estate, is similarly famous for its place in history, being the usurped headquarters of Union General McClelland  during the siege of Richmond. Abraham Lincoln paced the floor in the entry ballroom of the Berkeley. Plus, the first recorded "Thanksgiving" was celebrated here. The Berkeley Plantation was home to two presidents ... William Henry Harrison (the 9th U. S. President) and his grandson Benjamin Harrison (the 23rd U. S. President.)

Berkeley Plantation
Berkeley Plantation Aerial View
Entry Hall/Ballroom
Dining Table with Pineapple Christmas Tree Centerpiece
Parlor

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