GLOUCESTER— Gloucester’s Historic Garden Week will be returning on April 18.
Presented by the Garden Club of Virginia, Historic Garden Week, according to Gloucester County, is the only statewide house and garden tour in the nation. It offers visitors a chance to tour inspired homes and private landscapes, public gardens, and historic sites across Virginia. In addition, it adds that more than 1,000 world-class floral arrangements adorn the house interiors.
Gloucester County says it is uniquely situated between the Chesapeake Bay and various waterways, making it an important part of the nation’s history and offering opportunities to visit key sites marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. It has a rich past connected to Captain John Smith’s exploration, the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and the Founding Fathers. The area’s numerous waterways were part of Underground Railroad routes used to achieve the dream of freedom.
The Gloucester tour, presented by the Garden Club of Gloucester and Mathews, features four waterfront homes and gardens:
- Warner Hall, a large historic 17th-century plantation on the Severn River originally built by George Washington’s great-great grandfather, Augustine Warner. As part of a British Crown land grant, he secured the land by bringing twelve settlers across the Atlantic to Jamestown. His descendants would go on to shape American and English history, with a
lineage that includes his great-great-grandson George Washington, Robert E. Lee, Meriwether Lewis and Queen Elizabeth II. - Colraine, a 19th-century home on Wilson Creek, was built over five years by Pennsylvania Dutch carpenters. Originally constructed for a new bride, the property now spans 27 acres and includes the main house with sweeping views of Wilson Creek, along with three additional houses, two garages, a three-hole golf course, a pool, and two boat docks. The formal living room boasts 12-foot ceilings, a dramatic staircase, and eight original stained-glass panels believed to be Tiffany.
- The Covenant was built in 1999 for a couple that wanted a country setting and water. The drive up is surrounded by lush farmland and tall trees, and the house is positioned on a wide stretch of the Piankatank River. The front porch offers views of a broad bank of azaleas and mature trees, while the spacious brick patio at the back provides vistas of the river.
- Oyster Point is located on a point of land between Dancer’s Creek and the Piankatank River. This home’s interior and exterior reflect the owners’ love of the sporting life. The “Duck Room” on the lower level is a sportsman’s paradise, featuring custom display cases and cabinetry that house an extensive collection of duck hunting paraphernalia, including antiques and items that the owner still uses. There are decoys, taxidermy, duck calls, and more.
The tour is ticketed and is $50 for those who pay in advance and $60 on the day of. The tickets include admission to all four homes in addition to Ware Episcopal Church. All tickets must be purchased online and can be done so at VAGardenWeek.org.
