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Historic Plantations on the James River

From Williamsburg VA to Richmond VA , lining the James River along the scenic drive of Route 5, sit large and magnificent gems from three centuries ago – the James River Plantations! Worthy of a fantastic day trip all on their own, these stately homes, some of them among the oldest in the country, were owned by some of the most influential people in United States history.

Most of these plantations are open today as tourist attractions, where you can step back in time to the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries and saunter through the homes of several United States presidents and signers of the Declaration of Independence. Many of the plantations also offer guided tours, where not only can you experience the splendid architecture, grand furnishings and splendid gardens, but you can learn the plantations’ histories along with fun facts about their prominent former residents. How about touring the plantations and then dining at one of several restaurants that overlook the picturesque James River?

Berkeley Plantation The most historic plantation on the James River , Berkeley was built in 1726 and is the birthplace of Benjamin Harrison and President William Henry Harrison (9th president of the United States). It was also the location of the first Thanksgiving in 1619. It was the Civil War headquarters of General McClellan and the location where Taps was composed in 1862. Breathtaking views of the James River can be enjoyed from several beautiful gardens, and costume guides will ensure that you get everything you can from the visit!

Sherwood Forest Plantation The 10th President of the United States, John Tyler, called Sherwood Forest home and it has remained in the Tyler family ever since. Southern architecture meets Northern panache due to this James River Plantation’s unique history. President Tyler brought his new wife, Julia Gardiner Tyler of Gardiner’s Island, New York to Sherwood Forest. With her, she brought impressive furnishings and art and added a ballroom, which remain to this day. One of America’s oldest gingko trees, planted by Thomas Jefferson, also remains on the grounds.

Shirley Plantation Virginia’s first plantation, Shirley Plantation, is a grand Southern plantation that has been owned and operated by eleven generations of the Hill-Carter family, and remains so today! Since 1613, the plantation has stood robustly through the developing settlement at Jamestown (1607); the Revolutionary War, and the Civil War. Original furnishings, silver, and portraits remain in the Great House, while eight original Colonial outbuildings and gardens remain outside. If ever there was a symbol that served as a direct link to every period of American history, Shirley Plantation is it!

Kingsmill Plantation All that remains of the original Kingsmill Plantation, which was destroyed in 1843, is a pair of brick dependencies and outbuildings, although excavations have revealed an elaborate courtyard and gardens. Around 1736, the site held the mansion of Colonel Lewis Burwell, who was a naval officer for the lower James River. Near the plantation grounds is Burwell’s Landing, the riverfront site of an 18th century warehouse, colonial tavern, and war fortifications, along with three 17th century homes.

Other gorgeous historic James River Plantations just a few miles away from Williamsburg, VA include: Carter’s Grove (presently a museum owned by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation which depicts both sides of plantation life-owner and slave life); Belle Air (thought to be the oldest plantation dwelling along Virginia’s Route 5 Scenic Bypass-built in the mid-17th century; Powhatan; Castlewood; Flowerdew Hundred; Four Square; and Bacon’s Castle, to mention a few more.

Find Williamsburg lodging and other Williamsburg area information! Everything you need to plan your trip to historic Colonial Williamsburg , Jamestown & Yorktown, and Petersburg  Virginia can be found here!

Continue to browse our site for room availability, Williamsburg events and attractions, restaurants, and the Historic Triangle: Williamsburg, Jamestown & Yorktown!

Getting married? Many of these plantations serve as the perfect backdrop for a Williamsburg VA wedding! Williamsburg’s thriving cultural arts, prominent history, quaint bed and breakfasts, and dining opportunities make it the perfect spot for a romantic getaway!

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Williamsburg Christmas

Christmas in the South is all about tradition, family, food, friends and fun. You’ll feel like family as you learn about early Christmas decorating in Williamsburg, dine in a tavern, see a million brilliant lights at Richmond’s botanical garden, visit a James River plantation, dine at a Virginia winery, enjoy an evening of professional theater, explore America’s most historic state capitol, stand where modern America began at Jamestown and of course shop-shop-shop!

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Colonial Christmas at Williamsburg & the James River Plantations

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• Enjoy a private organ concert in the College of William & Mary’s historic chapel, sing along with well-known musicians and meet African American and colonial interpreters
• From Colonial Williamsburg to the James River plantations, visit seasonally decorated homes spanning four centuries of history
• Get hands-on with centerpiece and table setting design, learn to prepare a colonial treat and savor both a lunch and a festive farewell dinner in colonial taverns

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Visit The James River Plantations During Your Williamsburg Visit!

Don't forget to try the James River Plantation Sweet Tea , a delicious summer cocktail made famous from this area. Made from real brewed tea & five-time distilled American vodka, Plantation Sweet Tea Vodka is 100% natural and bottled right here in town.

The James River Plantations are located just outside Williamsburg, VA, close to Jamestown, Yorktown and Busch Gardens - only a a short 10 minute drive away from the Alice Person House. Ask us how we can help you plan your perfect day trip to the James River Plantations! We can assist you in setting up tours, getting directions and making dining reservations for you.

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James River Plantations

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• 4.2 Richmond
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• 4.6 Colonial Heights
• 4.7 Hopewell
• 4.8 Charles City County
• 4.9 James City County
• 4.10 Newport News
• 4.11 Isle of Wight County
• 4.12 Surry County
• 4.13 Prince George County

James River Plantations are in Virginia .

Understand [ edit ]

The 430-mile long James River begins west of the Blue Ridge Mountains near the western Virginia border and joins the Chesapeake Bay at Hampton Roads. An unparalleled collection of historic plantations still overlook the tidal portion of the river, below the falls in Richmond. Thirty-three of those plantations listed in the National Register of Historic Places are located along the James River and its tributaries. They are architectural treasures, ranging from diminutive Piney Grove, which began as a log corncrib c. 1790, to grand brick homes like Bacon's Castle, representative of Virginia plantation life in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.

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Get around [ edit ], see [ edit ], goochland county [ edit ], richmond [ edit ], chesterfield county [ edit ].

• Magnolia Grange

Dinwiddie County [ edit ]

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Petersburg [ edit ]

Colonial heights [ edit ].

• Violet Bank

Hopewell [ edit ]

• Weston Manor
• Appomattox Manor

Charles City County [ edit ]

• Upper Weyanoke
• John Tyler House (Sherwood Forest)

James City County [ edit ]

• Kingsmill Plantation
• Carter's Grove

Newport News [ edit ]

• Richneck Plantation Site
• Denbigh Plantation Site (Mathews Manor)
• Matthew Jones House

Isle of Wight County [ edit ]

• Four Square

Surry County [ edit ]

• Bacon's Castle
• Chippokes Plantation
• Warren House (Smith's Fort)

Prince George County [ edit ]

• Flowerdew Hundred Plantation

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Explore and tour HISTORIC James River PLANTATIONS, the sites of the wealthy 18th Century Planters Our James River Plantation Tours Takes Our Guest To The Plantations Of Their Choice. Please Ask Us For Recommendations.

The many James River Plantations were owned by wealthy and well educated families whose sons would become principle leaders in Virginia government. Some were and some vocal and active participants in the colonies quest for independence. Your personal Plantation tour will  include a private guided walking tour of the plantations of your choice with many interesting anecdotes and glimpses of the past through stories of occupants. Transportation can be provided. Rates depend on which Plantations are Visited and transportation requirements. Ask about meals and any additional interest not listed.

About Shirley

A National Historic Landmark on the James River off scenic Route 5 between Richmond and Williamsburg, Shirley stands as a testament to Colonial life and early American history of the indigenous, settlers, indentured, and enslaved. An active family farm, Shirley is currently home to the 11th and 12th generations of the Hill Carter family. 

Shirley is managed by a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing this important piece of American History.  Donations are always accepted and greatly appreciated. Donations help the foundation further its mission to preserve, protect, and pass on Shirley’s history of the indigenous, the settlers, the indentured, and the enslaved for future generations. Donations can be made at https://shirley-plantation-foundation.square.site and are tax-deductible.

_________________________________

Self-Guided Grounds Only Admission

Self-guided grounds-only admission includes exhibits inside the Ice House and the Storehouse, the slavery exhibit located in the Kitchen Building, our Nature Walk Field Guide and Grounds Map, and the walking audio tour.

Adults: $11.00

AAA Adults and Seniors (60+): $9.50

Military/Veterans: $9.50

Youth (7-16)/Student: $7.50

AAA/Military Youth: $6.00

Children 6 & Under: Free

Guided Tour of the Home’s First Floor Admission 

(Includes Grounds Admission)

Adults: $25.00

AAA Adults and Seniors (60+): $22.50

Military/Veterans: $20.00

Youth (7-16)/Student: $17.50

AAA/Military Youth: $15.75

Advance purchase of admission is encouraged.

For more information email [email protected] or call 804-829-5121.

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The best of the James River plantations - Shirley Plantation

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• Shirley Plantation

The best Plantation I've ever been to. I highly recommend everyone to take the time to visit this... read more

This is a very old established family property/ home. 13 generations have lived here. the tour is... read more

The best of the James River plantations

Our visit to Shirley Plantation was the best of the plantation tours. Although we were only able to tour the main floor of the home (the owner occupies the upper floors), the combination of the tour guide and all the well-kept outbuildings made for an excellent visit. The guide told us the history of the plantation, the residents, several of the furnishings, and several stories on the previous occupants of the home. He made it a very enjoyable and educational tour.

This is what you picture when you think of a plantation. The entrance fee would have been a little much if we haden't received a discount...there is plenty to see outside for free though.

Swung out to the plantation from our history seeking vacation to Colonial Williamsburg on news that they were hosting an Easter Egg hunt. Both children were eager & we were surprised at the place. Beautiful spot with exquisit main house, outbuildings and manicured lawns. Egg hunt was a fun time -our son took 1st place, but the hospitality shown us by the staff was spot on. Really a nice place and well worth the 30min drive -bring a picnic & blanket!

The other reviews cover all of the details of the plantation, but for anyone wishing to see how the people who formed our countrry lived, this and the Berkeley Plantation are must stops. The entire lower house tour only takes about 30 minutes, but after the tour you are free to roam the property and gardens all the way down to the James River. Plan to spend at least an hour and a half, possibly more on this visit.

Our tour guide was an older woman named Lee. She was personable and was a wealth fo information on the property. She was entertaining as well. There was a small group of us who toured this plantation home. It was about $11 - this covered a tour of the home and the grounds. The 11th generation of the family still owns and runs the property. They live on the 2nd and 3rd floor - Of course we only toured the first floor. It had original family heirlooms and wonderful original oil paintings. The out buildings are well preserved. We enjoyed the history lesson and waliking the grounds. The only thing we were disappointed with is the fact there was no gardens of any kind. There was not even a potted flower pot on the porch. If you find yourself on route 5 you must stop in!!

We spent the day visiting the James River plantations and this was what we thought would be the jewel in the crown. When we arrived we were very disappointed. The pictures on the brochure look nothing like what you encounter. They do not seem to be doing much to preserve the feel of the history. The window air conditioner on the front of the house threw me for a loop! The tour leaves every half hour and you only see the bottom floor ( 4 rooms) of the house.

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Chippokes state park.

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Accessible Rooms, Beach/Water Access, Canoe/Kayak/Small Boat Launch, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information, Information - Maps Available, Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present, Junior Ranger Activity, Laundry, Parking - Auto, Picnic Table, Recreational Field, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Tent Campsites, Trailhead, Wheelchair Accessible

Chippokes State Park sits across the James River in Surry County, Virginia and is one of the oldest continually farmed plantations in the US. The plantation first began farming in 1619 with tobacco emerging as a chief crop. For generations, all the skilled workers on the 1,300-acre property were enslaved. Today, Chippokes State Park explores and shares the history of the enslaved population on the site through programs, exhibits and a memorial. The site hosts an array of recreational activities, including biking, hiking, horseback riding, historic tours, fishing and more. The site is also home to the Chippokes Farm and Forestry Museum which displays over 600 antiques and artifacts to interpret rural and early American farm life.

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Last updated: June 7, 2023

Nature, Travel, and Olympus Photography Blog

Visiting and Photographing the Plantations along the James River

Berkeley Plantation (Above Photo)

There are numerous historic James River Plantations along John Tyler Highway (Virginia Route 5). Many of these plantations were either privately owned or closed when we visited in October.

We did find three plantations open to visit along John Tyler Highway on our way to Richmond from Williamsburg, Virginia.

Sherwood Forest

Sherwood Forest was the Home of President John Tyler.  A Self Guided tour of grounds and gardens costs $10.  Tours of the house are by appointment only.

Shirley Plantation

Shirley Plantation is known to be Virginia’s first plantation established in 1613. A self guided tour of the grounds and gardens and a guided tour of the house costs $11.

Pathway to the James River, Berkeley Plantation

Berkeley Plantation

The Berkeley Plantation is comprised of about 1,000 acres on the James River.  This Plantation has an amazing history.

• The location of the first Thanksgiving
• Occupied by Union Troops during the Civil War
• The music for Taps was composed on the Berkeley Plantation

A self guided tour of the grounds and gardens and a guided house tour costs $11

Guest House, Berkeley Plantation

Photo Opportunities at the James River Plantations

There are a variety of photo opportunities at these plantations.  Photography is not allowed inside the plantation mansions so the photo ops listed below are restricted to outdoors on the gardens and grounds. Here are a few of my favorite photo ops from the James River Plantations.

• Plantation Mansions / Colonial Architecture
• Flower macros
• Views of the James River with gardens in the foreground
• Archways and other garden architecture

Related Posts Visiting and Photographing Historic Jamestown Photographing Yorktown Battlefield and Area Photographing Colonial Williamsburg

Plenty of Photo Compositions at Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia

Photo Opportunities at the Maymont Nature Center in Richmond, Virginia

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America’s Most Historic Holiday Home Tours

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Fabulous Gilded Age estates are on display during the Christmas at the Newport Mansions tour in Newport, Rhode Island, where visitors can tour the Breakers, the Elms, and Marble House, all National Historic Landmarks.

Marble House, Newport, Rhode Island

This year, nine local garden clubs will design and install mantelpiece decorations on the second-floor fireplaces at Marble House as part of a new competition.

The Elms, Newport, Rhode Island

The ballroom at the Elms will feature a Victorian streetscape this year, with sleighs, topiary horses, and decorated trees and lampposts.

The Manor House, Toledo, Ohio

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Garden District, New Orleans

Now in its 40th year, the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans’s Holiday Home Tour features eight Garden District residences with entertainment provided by area musicians. A holiday boutique offering locally made goods and regional cuisine is held at Trinity Episcopal Church, the tour’s headquarters.

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Holiday Glitter: Monument Avenue After Dark is a guided walking tour of grand homes along this National Historic Landmark street.

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The museum’s annual Three Centuries of Christmas tours look at how the American holiday season has evolved since the 1770s, when New Year’s Day—not Christmas—was the main event, due to lingering Puritanical customs. The tours include the 1752 Joseph Webb House, the 1770 Silas Deane House, and the 1788 Isaac Stevens House.

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The historic Philadelphia homes featured in the Charms of Fairmount Park are festooned by local interior designers and garden clubs with decorations inspired by “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”

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Williamsburg’s James River Plantation Progressive Christmas Candlelight Tour includes visits to the Piney Grove (1790), Ashland (1835), and Ladysmith (1857) plantations, whose holiday decorations include greenery from the properties.

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