Shirley Plantation - Charles City, Virginia
Posted by: 
flyingmoose
N 37° 20.488 W 077° 15.544
18S E 299885 N 4135147
Located near the parking of Historic Shirley.
Waymark Code: WM170ME
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 11/14/2022
Views: 10
A rare gem of a dovecote, this one is roughly 300 years old. Its overall design and material was rare for this period of time in colonies. This dovecote was also put on a postcard that is available at the gift shop, where tour tickets can be purchased.
Sign Text:
Many Dovecotes in Colonial America were square shaped and made of wood. Shirley's more elegant construction is round and made of brick. The opening in the rood is known as a glover or "dove door," which provides access, light, and ventilation while keeping out predators. Shirley's dovecote was constructed between 1723 and 1738.
Doves have been an important part of human diets for thousands of years. Doves provided an inexpensive and easily accessible source of protein from both their eggs and meat.
Inside there are 6 rows of 18 roosts for a total of 108 roost.
(If known) Approximately how many pigeonholes in the dovecote?: 10
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Visit Instructions:
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