Shirley Plantation - Exterior

Exterior

The three story "Great House" is constructed in the Georgian style with red brick walls and white trim boards on a square foundation. The house has no actual front door, as both the riverside and courtyard side entrances contain a two story portico with Doric columns supporting a pediment. The entrance is located in the center, framed by a pair of long rectangular windows on either side. The hipped roof rests on an entablature containing dentil moldings. The roof is broken up by dormers and two large brick chimneys. In the center of the roof is a white pedestal supporting an overturned pineapple.

The house is surrounded by several support buildings, including a two-story kitchen with living quarters, a two-story laundry with living quarters, a smokehouse, a stable building, an ice house, a large storehouse, and a dovecote. These buildings all frame the central house, lending to the majesty of the building and creating a Queen Anne Forecourt.

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