At Shirley Plantation, history has been a guest here for eleven generations. Shirley Plantation is the oldest plantation in Virginia (1613) and the oldest family-owned business in North America (1638.) The current residents of this agricultural business are descendants of the original owners. Anne Hill Carter, mother of General Robert E. Lee, was born and married at Shirley. Source: http://www.virginia.org/site/description.asp?attrid=26060

Berkeley is Virginia’s most historic plantation. Visit the site of the first official Thanksgiving (1619). See the birthplace of Benjamin Harrison, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and President William Henry Harrison, our nation’s ninth president, whose grandson Benjamin became the 23rd president. Envision Lincoln reviewing 140,000 Union troops. Hear “Taps” (composed here in 1862). We invite you to experience Berkeley’s famous hospitality, as did the first ten presidents. An architectual gem, the elegant 1726 Georgian mansion is furnished with rare period antiques. Five terraces of restored boxwood and flower gardens overlook farmlands and offer breathtaking vistas of the James River. Source: http://www.virginia.org/site/description.asp?attrid=11653

Westover was built circa 1730 by William Byrd II, the founder of Richmond. It is noteworthy for its secret passages, magnificent gardens, and architectural details. Source: http://www.jamesriverplantations.org/Westover.html

Westover Parish was established in 1625, and the original church was located on Westover Plantation. A new church was built at this location in 1731. Used as stable during the Civil War, it was restored to service in 1867 and has been faithfully supported ever since. Through the centuries, farmers, plantation owners, slaves and presidents, including Washington, Jefferson, Harrison, Tyler and Theodore Roosevelt have worshipped in the church. Visitors are welcome to visit the church and stroll around the cemetery. Source: http://www.virginia.org/site/description.asp?attrid=50071