Shirley Plantation
Shirley Plantation is an estate on the north bank of the James River in Charles City County, Virginia. It is located on scenic byway State Route 5, between Richmond and Williamsburg. It is the oldest active plantation in Virginia and the oldest family-owned business in North America, dating back to 1614, with operations starting in 1648. It used about 70 to 90 African slaves at a time for plowing the fields, cleaning, childcare, and cooking. It was added to the National Register in 1969 and declared a National Historic Landmark in 1970. After the acquisition, rebranding, and merger of Tuttle Farm in Dover, New Hampshire, Shirley Plantation received the title of the oldest business continuously operating in the United States.
Shirley | |
Main house of Shirley Plantation, July 2006 | |
| Location | 5 mi. N of Hopewell off VA 608, Hopewell, Virginia |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 37°20′31″N 77°15′39″W |
| Built | circa 1723 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 69000328 |
| VLR No. | 018-0022 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 1, 1969 |
| Designated NHL | April 15, 1970 |
| Designated VLR | November 5, 1968 |
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