Berkeley & Shirley Plantations – 24 September 2026

The weather is changing in Virginia – fall-like plus a Nor’Easter is brewing just off the coast. Our wandering is taking us first to Williamsburg for a stop at a shop there and then on to the Berkley and Shirley Plantations.

It always surprises me how rural Virginia is once you get away from Richmond. The roads are lined with tall trees or fields of corn, soy beans, or cotton. Maybe only 10 miles from Shirley’s home is a Data Center being built so trees have been cleared and the earth moving equipment is leveling the earth.

Along the roadside are numerous historic signs. Sometimes 2, 3, and even once 5 together. Since I am on the Virginia History Tour, a stop is in order at a few.

Once in Williamsburg, we make the stop at a consignment store for Shirley to drop off some dishes and glassware. Then a quick stop for a coffee before our drive to the plantations. Funny to see an open fireplace at a restaurant as we drive by. Yep, it’s only 60 degrees and feeling very fall-like.

Cruising on Route 5 to Berkeley Plantation, the Capital Bike Trail is running along side the road. This bike trail connects Richmond and Williamsburg. Might be fun to ride this some day! And of course, more historic signs as we arrive at the Berkeley Plantation.

This home and location have an incredibly long history. The house itself is 300 years old! The first settles landed here in 1619 and came with a proclamation for the land stating they must kneel and give thanksgiving. Thus, this is the sight of the first Thanksgiving – earlier than Massachusetts and decreed by President John F. Kennedy. There is a pavilion erected on the site down by the James River to commemorate this historic event.

Another noted event at Berkeley plantation was the writing of the song “Taps” and played for the first time. A small site on one of the hills commemorates this significant event.

Now, onto the house. Three stories and the owner still resides on the upper two floors. The first floor is open to the public for a tour on the hour. Lots of stories told by the enthusiastic tour guide, but no photography. This 300 year old home is the original structure. All the bricks in the home were made here. While there were other homes built since the first settlers arrived in 1619, this one remains. Along either side of the house, two other homes were built for guests and the kitchen and staff.

The house sits on 1100 acres being preserved for history. Thanks to the family that now owns it. There is a short movie and four panels listing the many historic events. Did I mention that 10 presidents had visited here? There were thousands of Union troops under George McClellan occupying this land during the Civil War (before McClellan was replaced). This is the birthplace of William Henry Harrison ninth president of the United States and the ancestral home of his grandson, Benjamin Harrison, the twenty-third president.

The Berkeley plantation is definitely a place to visit when in Virginia.

A short drive down the road is the Shirley Plantation. For some reason it is closed today so Shirley and I make a stop by the sign. Then we enjoy a lunch at the Upper Shirley Vineyards Restaurant for lunch. Maybe next time we’ll visit the Shirley home.