This Really, Really, Really Old House

Posted by John

November 12, 2007

Shirley Plantation

I surprised Sherry on Sunday with a day away from the 50-year history of house for the almost 300-year history of another. We spent the afternoon at Shirley Plantation, established in 1613 on the banks of the James River, just 30 minutes east of Richmond. Not only is it Virginia’s first plantation, but it’s the oldest family-owned business in North America. It’s also a pretty cool place to poke around on a sunny, fall afternoon.

They don’t allow photos inside the main mansion (where the 11th generation of the family still lives), so we can’t show you the crazy “flying staircase” or ornate moldings and windows. But we did catch plenty of moments around the rest of the grounds. Like Sherry checking out the 18th-century kitchen for design inspiration – but getting none – and me letting loose in a big, grapevine-covered arbor.

Sherry at Shirley

John at Shirley

The arbor also gave us a few more contenders for new art around the house, like the detail shot below. We’ve yet to decide if and where it might make an appearance on one of our walls. So stay tuned…

Vines at Shirley