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Historic Garden Week Is Set to Arriveby KRISTEN ARMSTRONG, Staff Writer |
| Spring is finally here! And to ring in the
new season, you might want to explore some of Hunt Country's most
beautiful and impressive gardens and properties during Historic Garden
Week. A tour titled “In Colonel Mosby's Shadow: Gardens of the Middleburg Countryside,” takes place April 20-21 as part of a nine-day, statewide open house of private homes and gardens and public landmarks, from the Atlantic to the Appalachians. Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, Historic Garden Week benefits the restoration of important historic grounds and gardens throughout the state. Garden-goers in Hunt Country can start their tour at the Hill School Dornin Science Center, and will then head to Coon Tree Ridge Farm, Lee Hall, Roundaway Farm, Peakewood Pharm and Rockburn Farm, all of which are located in the Mosby Heritage area. “We think it's a fabulous tour,” said Historic Garden Week chair Susan Wallace. “There's something for everyone.” Visitors to the farms will have the chance to go inside the properties, enjoy the architecture and art collections and learn about each home's history. They also will tour the properties' gardens and grounds, many of which will have an expert on hand to discuss the plant life. The American folk art collection at Coon Tree Ridge; the hand-blocked wallpapers at Lee Hall from homeowner Chris Ohrstrom's paper hangings company; and the boxwoods and foxglove garden at Roundaway are just a few of the highlights of the tour, Wallace said. There also will be a series of live floral arrangements in each home, which are part of a judged competition. “I think people interested in historic properties and American folk art would enjoy the garden tour,” Wallace said. “People interested in art and design in general would like it, too, because each house is unique. And people who love gardens will get to see a diversity of gardening styles.” This year's tour is organized in a one-way, clockwise circle, and visitors are asked to drive to the properties in one direction. “It's all back country roads that are very narrow,” Wallace said. “You can start wherever you want on the tour, but we ask people to go one way for safety and convenience's sake.” A full ticket, including admission to all five properties, is $35, and single-site admission is $15. Children 6-12 are admitted at half price, and children five and under are admitted free. On tour days, both full and single-site tickets will be available at the Hill School Dornin Science Center, as well as at the individual homes. For more information, see the Web site at www.vagardenweek.org and click on the “Schedule” link. |