Each April at the peak of Virginia’s springtime color, Historic Garden Week lures 30,000 visitors from throughout the United States and abroad who tour more than 250 of the Commonwealth’s most beautiful gardens, homes, and historic landmarks. Sponsored by The Garden Club of Virginia, Historic Garden Week—being held April 18-25—is now entering its 76^th year, making it the oldest and largest statewide house and garden event in the country. Three-dozen tours are planned and run by an all-volunteer workforce.

Historic Garden Week is as much about historic architecture, art, antiques, and interior decorating as it is about gardens. Many of the homes are on the historic registry and some are only open during Garden Week.

“Being one of our first states, Virginia has some of the oldest homes in the country and that’s why we are able to feature homes from the early 17^th through the early 21^st centuries,” said Jane Maddux, co-chair of publicity for the Charlottesville-Albemarle tours. Maddux is a member of The Charlottesville Garden Club, which, along with The Albemarle Garden Club and The Rivanna Garden Club, sponsors the Charlottesville/Albemarle County schedule of events.

Despite its name, Historic Garden Week has always included house tours. In the early years, visitors were limited to the James River Plantations and a handful of other historic properties. That list grew quickly over the years. Today, as in the past, if you look closely you’ll discover an interesting correlation between what you see in the house versus what you see in the garden.

“Many of the gardens reflect the décor of the home and vice versa,” said Maddux. “You get a better picture of why some gardens are more formal and some are more informal; some more structured; some loose, some contemporary looking. That’s reflected inside as well as outside.”

For serious gardeners, however, Historic Garden Week is a crash course in horticultural excellence.

“When you consider Virginia extends from the ocean to the mountains, we have the ability to show how different species of plants, trees, and shrubs are utilized and grown in different parts of the state,” said Maddux. “There is a plethora of information for anyone who wants to gather it for use in their own gardens and homes. We try to identify many of the plants, particularly if they’re unusual. Many of our volunteers at the gardens will be able to tell you what each plant is. If you want to know something, please ask.”

Since its inception, proceeds from Historic Garden Week have benefited the restoration of Virginia’s historic grounds and gardens. Some famous beneficiaries include the Pavilion Gardens at the University of Virginia, Monticello, Mount Vernon, and Montpelier, to name a few. Last year Historic Garden Week brought in $814,000. Its total revenue over the past 75 years is an astounding $14.5 million.

Charlottesville/Albemarle Tours

Saturday, April 18

Although Morven was a charter property open for the first Historic Garden Week in Virginia tour in 1929, this is the first time in recent years the estate will be open to the public. Morven is on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register. Located on land that Thomas Jefferson knew as Indian Camp, the three-story brick manor house, done in the late Georgian/Federal style, was completed in 1820 by local builder Martin Thacker. Visitors will experience the 19^th century ambiance of Jefferson’s time, while also seeing 20^th century additions. The grounds contain a number of unusual trees—including the state champion Chinese chestnut—extensive gardens and statuary collection.

Monticello will host two lectures on Saturday. At 10 a.m. Peter Hatch, Monticello’s director of gardens and grounds, will present a lecture entitled “Thomas Jefferson Gardener.” A walking tour of the restored gardens at Monticello will follow. Then at 2 p.m., Peggy Cornett, director of the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants, will present an illustrated lecture followed by a tour of the gardens and nursery at Tufton Farm.

Sunday, April 19

The Free Union Country Homes & Gardens tour will highlight five estates in the area, which will be open from noon to 6 p.m.

Also on Sunday at 6 p.m., Monticello will host “An Evening on the West Lawn” with feature tours of the house followed by a lecture by Peter Hatch. A reception with hors d’oeuvres will follow in the garden on the West Lawn.

Monday, April 20

Free Union Country Homes & Gardens will again be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., as will several other estates throughout the area.

Morrowdale is a working 300-acre thoroughbred beef cattle and hay farm nestled at the foot of the Blue Ridge. The estate was originally part of the 1748 English grant to St. Martin’s Parish. The main house, a mid-19^th century four-over-four farmhouse, is filled with English and American antiques and extensive collections of sporting art and sculpture.

Set on a knoll overlooking distant mountains, Tupelo is an 1870s restored farmhouse. Local materials and native plants were used almost exclusively, and organic garden practices are employed.

The Cabin at Turtle Creek features a French eclectic design. The estate acquired its name from the 1790s cabin original to the property and a creek that flows from a two-acre pond filled with several species of turtles. The landscape design features nearly 200 species and cultivars of trees, shrubs, and ornamental grasses.

The Ballard-Maupin House is one of the few extant 18^th century vernacular houses in the county still on its original site. The one-and-a-half story frame vernacular farmhouse was built circa 1760 for Thomas Ballard. Meticulously restored in 1995, this dwelling is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Virginia Historic Landmark.

And finally, Waterperry Farm will be open to the public for the first time during Historic Garden Week. The original two-over-two farmhouse dates back to around 1810 and was rebuilt after a fire in 1868. Named for an early horticulture school for women in Waterperry, England, the property has been transformed from a working farm to a park-like estate with extensive gardens, paths, and fascinating design elements.

While she admits to not having a favorite site, Maddux did point out a few additional facts about two of the properties on tour.

“The absolute must see is Waterperry, because of the expansiveness of the gardens,” said Maddux. “It’s a precious home and they’ve done a great deal of work on it. Morrowdale has a fabulous collection of antique sporting art that you’ll be able to see. If you’re a true gardener, you will be overcome by all of the plantings.”

Tuesday, April 21

The University of Virginia Pavilion Homes and Gardens, Carr’s Hill, University Library, Art Museum, and Morea will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Garden Club of Virginia restored the University’s Pavilion Gardens and the surrounding serpentine walls with proceeds from Historic Garden Week, beginning with the West Pavilion gardens in 1947 to recent.

Located on the hill above the corner of Rugby Road and University Avenue, Carr’s Hill has been the home to seven university presidents and their families and is currently occupied by University President and Mrs. John T. Casteen III. This year marks the 100^th anniversary of Carr’s Hill and the public will be able to see an extensive collection of early reproduction 18^th century botanical prints.

Among the historic 18^th century Pavilion Homes open this year is the residence of professor and political pundit Larry Sabato. In addition, The Edgar Allen Poe Room on the University’s West Range can also be viewed. Poe was a student for one year at the University, a year after it opened in 1825.

The Mary and David Harrison Institute for American History, Literature, and Culture, and the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library will host a panel discussion at 2 p.m. on “The University’s Backyards: The Pavilion Gardens Beyond Jefferson.”

The University of Virginia Art Museum will feature the “Flowers Interpret Art” show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a buffet dinner following from 6 to 8 p.m.

As always, historic properties including Monticello, Michie Tavern, and Ash Lawn-Highland will also be on the tour.

Guidebook

Getting organized, buying tickets, planning lunch, developing an itinerary. It can be a bit much when so much is happening in such a short amount of time. That’s why the Historic Garden Week in Virginia Guidebook is a must-have to get the most out of the week’s events and tours.

“I call it the encyclopedia of Historic Garden Week,” said Maddux. “ It tells you everything. If people would just read it, they wouldn’t need anything else. We spent copious amounts of time putting information in this to help readers with every aspect of Historic Garden Week—the times, dates, what to do, what not to do, how much anything is, free exhibits, etc. You can look at the ads and then buy plants or whatever you need from our local advertisers.”

The books are free and located around town. “If someone can’t find them they can always call the local tourism office or their chamber of commerce,” said Maddux. “Another nice thing is if you’re just able to do a tour in a specific area, every tour has a brochure which is very handy and explains what’s going on there and has a wonderful map to help guide you there. We also have the little green arrows wherever the tours are.”

To get the most out of the tour, Maddux advises that you pace yourself. “You’re the only one who can determine how fast you can walk and how interested you are in a particular place over another. My advice is don’t try to overdue it because you’ll get exhausted—just do as much as you can.”

Historic Garden Week is open to people of all ages, but Maddux cautions about bringing young children. “ If you can walk well, it’s unlimited. But it’s tough to bring strollers because they are difficult to accommodate inside homes.”

The Perfect Vacation

Will the current economy negatively impact Garden Week attendance? Judging from history, Maddux believes just the opposite is true.

“Garden Week started in 1929, in the year of the Great Depression. The very next year, it tripled its income. They had tours until 1941 and then they stopped because of World War II. After the war, they had to decide, ‘Is it right to do something like this? Doesn’t this seem silly and frivolous after such a hard, tough war?’ But they felt so strongly about the cause of preservation that they said, ‘Yes,’ and now it has become one of the greatest things the state has ever done as far as tourism is concerned. We have completed 40 restorations and by sponsoring Historic Garden Week, we are promoting and showcasing the beauty of this state, resulting in a great deal of tourism.”

Maddux added that while many people may not be able to take a vacation or a spring break, she nonetheless hopes they will participate in Historic Garden Week.

“It’s not very expensive,” she said. “We all need to get out. There’s nothing more relaxing than just being able to wander a garden and have fun with it. Gather some friends up and do something good for yourself. We’re all feeling down right now and I can’t think of anything nicer to do and it’s right in your back yard.”

Garden Week tours are held rain or shine and do not “sell out” in advance. However, many venues require tickets and advance reservations. Ticket prices for tours range from $10 to $35 per event. Tickets also may be purchased at any of the properties open on the day of the tour and online. Pets are not allowed in homes or gardens, and cameras and videotape equipment are not allowed inside private homes. Most tours are not handicapped accessible. Box lunches are available by advance purchase.

For details, be sure to consult the Historic Garden Week Guidebook or visit www.GCVirginia.org.