HOSTED BY BY THE HUNTING GARDEN CREEK CLUB OF GARDEN GLOUCESTER CLUB AND THE GARDEN CLUB OF ALEXANDRIA Gloucester-Mathews 9975

TICKET INCLUDES ADMISSION TO THE FOLLOWING 4 PROPERTIES:

Cherokee lawn dappled by the shade of mature 7887 Berkshire Lane in Gloucester trees. The current owner’s mother spent the 1960s turning roughly five acres of This unusual dwelling started life as a typ- formerly cultivated farm fields into green- ical 18th-century icehouse: a circular brick sward. The exact age of this stately home two-story tower with dirt piled around it is unclear but the lunette window high un- to insulate the ice kept inside. In 1922, der the roof peak matches several others William Fleet Taliaferro and his wife Eliz- just like it elsewhere in Mathews such as

Photos courtesy of Sandy Geiger abeth downsized from their home Ex- the Court House, Springdale and Poplar change and converted its icehouse into a Grove. These can be reliably dated c. 1835. simple retirement dwelling. They added a front door on the river side, a few win- The house was built on land patented by dows and a back addition with kitchen the Foster family in 1658. The property and dining room. It was named Cherokee was purchased by Francis Armistead in for the roses that grew there. The round 1842. The current owners are part of the room was the original living room. Every Cooke family who entered the long histo- owner since has added something. Now ry of the house around 1918 when Giles Cherokee is a large, gracious home with a Buckner Cooke purchased the home from perfectly round dining room. Bartlett Tree the Armistead family. Rev. Major Giles Buckner Experts will be giving visitors to Cherokee Cooke was the last surviving member of complimentary seedlings from noon to 3 the staff of General Robert E. Lee had p.m. Gayle and Hunter Merrill, owners the distinction of being the oldest man in Mathews County, the oldest Episcopal Toddsbury minister in Virginia, and the oldest living 8777 Toddsbury Lane in Gloucester alumnus of VMI when he died in 1937. Gloucester- This 17th-century family home is considered His son, John Warren Cooke, was born to be the “Mother House” of the North in 1915 and grew up to be a politician River. Of the land grant, made to English and newspaper publisher. John Warren sea captain Thomas Todd in 1652, one Cooke’s daughter Elsa and her husband hundred acres remain. The original brick Paul are the current owners and third SATURDAY,Mathews APRIL 17, 2021 house dates from 1658 and faces the river. generation of the Cooke family to live at Additions in 1690, 1720, 1782 and 1948 Palace Green. Elsa Cooke Verbyla is the MORNING TICKET: 9:30 A.M. TO 1:30 P.M. AFTERNOON TICKET: 1:30 TO 5:30 P.M. publisher of the Gloucester-Mathews This self-driving tour in the coastal area features four stunning properties including one of the complete the L-shaped gambrel-roofed structure seen today. An outstanding and Gazette-Journal. Between the house and earliest domestic structures in the United States, continually inhabited since 1652. As a recipient Put-in Creek lies the old Armistead family of one of the earliest historic preservation easements in Virginia, the property is an outstanding substantial example of an early Tidewater domestic structure, Toddsbury is listed on graveyard and a recently renovated guest example of an early Tidewater planter’s home. The estate sprawls over 100 acres and the nearly cottage. Palace Green was last open in sup- mile-long river front with its enormous willow oaks commands the longest southern exposure the National Register of Historic Places and is a Virginia Historic Landmark. The port of Historic Garden Week in 1992. Dr. of any home on the North River. Another sits well back from Main Street in Mathews behind a David A. Brown and Thane H. Harpole of sweeping lawn dappled by the shade of mature trees. A third includes a newly constructed area interiors boast early 18th-century panel- ing, carved keystones over the windows the Fairfield Foundation will educate tour that provides a lovely terrace area for entertaining with plenty of room for seating where guests goers at an archeological excavation and can enjoy both garden and water views. Another property began life as a typical 18th-century and brick linenfold jack arches above the earliest entrances. The garden wall dates demonstration on the grounds. Elsa and icehouse: a circular brick two-story tower with dirt piled around it to insulate the ice kept inside. Paul Verbyla, owners In 1922, it was converted into a simple retirement dwelling. from the 1690s and encloses a square acre. The nearly mile-long riverfront with its Weston Hall, 465 Weston Hall Road enormous willow oaks overlooks the in Port Haywood longest southern exposure on the North TOUR CHAIR AND CO-CHAIR FACILITIES River. The half-mile tree-lined approach From the minute visitors drive through • Lynne Manning (919) 880-2329 • Available at Tour Headquarters and all to the house leads to the orchard, walled the gates, it becomes obvious that Weston [email protected] tour properties garden, carriage house, guest house, horse Hall is a special place. The property enjoys • Pam Driggs (804) 815-4418 PARKING paddocks, barn and wharf. Archaeology magnificent views of the East River and • @historicgardenweekgloucester • Available at tour sites on the east lawn, and specimens from a beyond to the Mobjack Bay. Designed in a • Historic Garden Week in Gloucester VA • At Tour Headquarters rare Gloucester Hickory tree exchanged with for planting at TOUR HEADQUARTERS SPECIAL ACTIVITIES • Ware Episcopal Church, • Gloucester Extension Master Gardeners , further enhance the grounds. 7825 John Clayton Memorial Highway, available for guided tours of Brent & Toddsbury was last open in support of Gloucester Becky’s Bulbs Chesapeake Bay-friendly Historic Garden Week in 1988. Mr. and gardens, 7900 Daffodil Lane in Gloucester, Mrs. F. Breckinridge Montague, owners TICKETS from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. • $40 pp Palace Green • Sold online and in advance only, for 596 Main Street in Mathews the morning or the afternoon, at SELF-DRIVING TOUR VAGardenWeek.org. The properties may be visited in any order Positioned well back from Main Street in • No day of ticket sales on this self-driving tour. Mathews, Palace Green boasts a sweeping HOSTED BY BY THE HUNTING GARDEN CREEK CLUB OF GARDEN GLOUCESTER CLUB AND THE GARDEN CLUB OF ALEXANDRIA Gloucester-Mathews 9977

brick Arts and Crafts style with an English basement, the layout elevates the house to take advantage of expansive water views. Massive trees grace the sweeping eight-acre lawn. There is a view from the property across Mill Creek to nearby Pop- lar Grove and its original tide mill, the last tide mill remaining in the Mobjack area. Visitors are encouraged to take time to en- joy the dock. Weston Hall was built by Capt. Clarence Kirwan in the early 1900s. The contrac- tor was his uncle, Christopher Columbus Borum. Legend has it that no construc- tion was allowed to take place while the captain was at sea. Pine timber from the property was used for floors and doors. The sturdy-looking Arts and Crafts-style exterior belies the light and airy feeling of the rooms within. Built to resemble the layout of a ship, the wide entry hall is fifty feet long and sweeps from the land-side entrance to the water side. Current owners have undertaken an ex- tensive renovation of both the home and the grounds. The recently renovated guest house is also included as part of the tour. The owners have added new expansive hardscaping which connects the main house to the guest cottage. This newly constructed area allows the home to flow to the cottage and provides a lovely terrace area for en- tertaining, with plenty of room for seating where guests can enjoy both garden and water views. Weston Hall was last open in support of Historic Garden Week in 2002. Nationally recognized plein air art- ist, Dorothy Fagan, will be painting on the grounds. Cindy and Bill Barnett, owners

PLACES OF INTEREST Chesapeake Bay-Friendly Teaching Gardens at Brent & Becky’s Bulbs 7900 Daffodil Ln., Gloucester This 8+ acre garden contains more than 20 themed “rooms” to demonstrate gardening that honors the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. brentandbeckysbulbs.com Rosewell Plantation Ruins 5113 Old Rosewell Rd., Gloucester Built in 1725 by , Rosewell was the birthplace of Virginia Governor John Page and an architectural inspiration to Thomas Jefferson, a frequent visitor. Ravaged by fre in 1916, the ruins stand today as an example of 18th-century craftsmanship. The Garden Club of Virginia granted a research fellowship in 2003 to consolidate landscape records of the grounds. rosewell.org HOSTED BY THE ELIZABETH RIVER, THE FRANKLIN AND THE NANSEMOND RIVER GARDEN CLUBS Suffolk 79

TOUR DESCRIPTION: This delightful walking tour features private properties that are all participating in Historic Garden Week for the first time. Visitors who particularly enjoy gardens, as well as history buff, will enjoy access to seven locations in the Governor’s Pointe neighborhood. It was developed from the Sinclair Farm, which comprised 165 acres, of their lives. After numerous corporate and was the earliest recorded farm on moves over the previous dozen years, Geor- Governor’s Pointe. In 1920, the farm gia-based architect, Frank Betz, was hired to passed to John Brown Bush, later to Gil- design a plan now called “The Clarendon.” bert and Della Fulgham, and in 1942 to Built on slightly less than an acre of land, Photos courtesy of Nansemond River Garden Club Photos courtesy of Nansemond River Garden Gordon Jones who named it Nansemond the Jones’ residence was only the fourth Farm. It was a productive farm that grew house in the new, but soon to flourish, Gov- corn, peanuts, soybeans and small grains. In ernor's Pointe neighborhood. Numerous addition, the Jones family raised livestock. established garden beds around the perime- While the cows and the crops are now ter of the property were created by the lady gone, this pastoral site has become the of the house. Kim’s efforts show off her perfect setting for a collection of cus- love for working outside and add notewor- tom-built homes. After retiring from a 28 thy embellishment to the landscaping. year Navy career and 15 years of private Built in 2014 and nestled on the banks of consulting work, the Callaways moved to the Nansemond River, a timeless Geor- Governor’s Pointe, purchasing a home gian-style home offers guests a warm wel- built in 2005. A light-filled open concept come. The curved central staircase and home with tall ceilings, it provides views cathedral ceilings echo the spacious walk- of the many trees, shrubs and perennials out porches that offer stunning river views. that the owners have planted on what had Visitors can relax on the patio underneath been bare farmland. the pergola and take in the gorgeous land- Another property includes a Colonial Re- scape set against a backdrop of evergreens vival residence completed in 2009. De- brimming with many-hued perennials. Suffolk signed for a large family, the home in- A final property built in 2017 was designed cludes eight bedrooms and seven full by the owners and incorporates transition- SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2021 bathrooms, assuring there will be ample al elements and a state-of-the-art electron- MORNING TOUR: 10 A.M. TO 1 P.M. AFTERNOON TOUR: 1:30 TO 4:30 P.M. space as the family continues to grow ic system throughout, facilitating enter- Governor’s Pointe, a land grant made in 1700 by King William, offered rich land, deep rivers through the generations. The attractive taining in this elegant home. The elevated and an environment where families could flourish in early Virginia. By the end of 1865, the outdoor living spaces include a large up- ceilings create a dramatic two-story foyer plantation system was replaced by family farms. In 2003 one of these farms was developed per deck and a lower porch looking out to and showcase a stunning curved staircase. as a community of 141 custom-built fine homes where the property’s mature hardwoods, the water. Tranquil lake views reveal a vi- There is an impressive two-story covered lakes, marsh areas and river views have been conscientiously maintained. This walking tour brant habitat where many species of birds patio overlooking the Nansemond River. of properties near each other showcases a variety of charming outdoor living spaces. including great blue herons, snowy egrets, A special highlight is the pool with a cab- Canada geese and ducks, as well as bea- in-like cabana. A built-in stone fire pit and vers, live. A fire pit and meandering paths a putting green are outdoor focal points of make it a welcoming landscape. A memo- this spectacular property. TOUR CHAIRS FACILITIES rial camellia garden, azaleas, forsythia, col- • Kim Butler, Jean Brennaman and • Available at Tour Headquarters orful annuals and assorted blooming trees Featured Properties: Mary Hunting (Lower Level) add to the appeal of this wooded oasis. portsmouthsuffolkfranklin@ PARKING • 1917 Governors Pointe vagardenweek.org Completed in 2007, an elegant waterfront Woodard Courtesy of Karen • At Tour Headquarters Marsha and Michael Callaway TOUR CO-CHAIRS Georgian-style home boasts expansive • Available on roadsides in the tour area views of the Nansemond River, Corinthi- • 122 Torrington Circle Kacky Gallota, Sanda Wilson, Jackie and Jeff Overton Amy Brown and John Drewry SPECIAL ACTIVITY an columns, extensive custom moldings, • @historicgardenweekpsf • Artists from the Suffolk Center of the high ceilings and walls of windows. The • 236 Wentworth Court • Historic Garden Week Southeastern VA Cultural Arts Plein Air Society as well as a garden is professionally landscaped and Jennifer and Marc Rosenberg showcases a trellis smothered with purple TOUR HEADQUARTERS variety of floral activities in featured gardens • 237 Wentworth Court (weather permitting) wisteria and jasmine, as well as roses, daylil- • Vintage Tavern Restaurant ies, crepe myrtles, holly and magnolias. This Kim and Tim Jones 1900 Governors Pointe elegant respite includes a pool. A boat- • 242 Wentworth Court TICKETS house and dock were completed in 2017. WALKING TOUR Lorena Luciano and Dr. Ernesto Luciano • $35 pp Please wear appropriate flat-heeled shoes When the Jones family migrated from At- • 244 Wentworth Court • Sold online and in advance only at to allow for uneven surfaces. lanta, Georgia to Virginia in 2004 they built VAGardenWeek.org. Lorena and Johnny Garcia • No day of ticket sales a home they intend to reside in for the rest HOSTED BY THE ELIZABETH RIVER, THE FRANKLIN AND THE NANSEMOND RIVER GARDEN CLUBS Suffolk 81

PLACES OF INTEREST

Bacon’s Castle 465 Bacon’s Castle Tr., Surry Built in 1665, this restoration property of the Garden Club of Virginia affords visitors a rare opportunity to step back in time. It is the largest documented 17th century garden in America. An architectural gem, it features distinctive triple-stacked chimneys and curved Flemish gables. It is listed on the Virginia and National Landmark Registers. preservationva.org Smith’s Fort Plantation 217 Smith’s Fort Ln., Surry This was the site of an original fort begun by Capt. John Smith in 1609. The brick dwelling was built in the mid-18th century on land given by Powhatan to John Rolfe on his marriage to Pocahontas. The garden was created in 1936 by the Garden Club of Virginia using proceeds from Historic Garden Week. preservationva.org. Historic Portsmouth Courthouse, Corner of High & Court Streets in Olde Towne Portsmouth Constructed in 1846, it reopened as a civic arts center in the 1980s. The Garden Club of Virginia restored the grounds in 1983 with funds raised from Historic Garden Week.