We decided today was a good day to visit two of the many plantations in the area and we were told The Berkeley Plantation and the Shirley Plantation were the two not to miss. Berkeley Plantation actually publicizes itself as the location of the First Thanksgiving when the small band of pilgrims landed in 1612 and immediately knelt to give thanks for their safe arrival.
They built their small settlement for three years before the Native Indians massacred the entire community. The plantation was eventually bought by the Harrison family and became the home of Benjamin Harrison, signer of the Constitution, and birthplace to two subsequent Presidents. This plantation has beautiful grounds right on the James River, used by many in the day to travel to the plantation.
View of James River from the Plantation
In fact, this plantation is where General McClelland had his men stationed during the Civil War after being pushed out of Richmond and where President Lincoln came to see him to relieve him of his command.
When lunch time came, we stopped at a restaurant highly recommended by someone at Berkeley called the Charles City Tavern.
Green Fried Tomatoes
Virginia Apple Salad with walnuts, blue cheese cranberries and chicken salad
Chicken Salad Sandwich
The Shirley Plantation on the other hand, was spared by the Indian uprising that destroyed most of the other settlements in the early 1600’s and was not touched during the Civil War.
As a result, this plantation has been in continuous operation for over 400 years with a member of the original family living on site all that time. In fact, most of the plantations only open the first floor of the main houses to visitors because the upper floors are used as the residences of the owning family. The youngest couple, married in the Spring, currently live in the two top floors of the Shirley Plantation but have their kitchen and laundry in the basement. The only staircase in the building is a floating staircase, no visible means of support, and is still in continuous use today after over 400 years. Now that’s good construction!
Entrance driveway into the plantation
One of the out buildings on the plantation with cotton field in background
After we left Shirley, we found a Wawa and Carol introduced us to their Iced Coffee. All I can say is “now we are really in trouble!”
Back to Williamsburg to do some shopping before going to the Whaling Company Restaurant for a light dinner of clam chowder, steamed clams, ahi tuna, and french fries. No one is ever going to accuse us of being nutritionists!
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