Beautiful homes, gardens and Shenandoah Valley views at Historic Garden Week
AUGUSTA COUNTY — Each spring, visitors are welcomed to some of Virginia's most beautiful gardens, homes and historic landmarks during "America's Largest Open House," sponsored by the Garden Club of Virginia. This weeklong event across the state provides visitors an opportunity to see unforgettable gardens and beautiful houses.
In a press release from the Augusta Garden Club chapter, this year's Historic Garden Week will take place in southwestern Augusta County on Saturday, April 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Four private homes are opening to the public for the first time; all will feature creative flower arrangements from Augusta Garden Club members. In addition, the beautiful grounds of a historic 30-acre farm will be open for touring.
“Sunset Hill” 1431 Parkersburg Turnpike, Swoope
This 15-acre hilltop property affords magnificent views across the Shenandoah Valley. The house blends historic charm with contemporary living, the release said. The original classic Augusta County farmhouse (circa 1918) was significantly expanded in 2009 with a Scandinavian-inspired two-story addition. Extensive landscaping includes a lovely patio, raised stone beds, a fruit and nut orchard with plum, Bartlett and Asian pear, peach, cherry, fig, persimmon, apple, pecan and walnut trees.
76 North Mountain Road, Swoope
Built in 2019, this hilltop home sits on 27 acres with 360-degree views of the pastures and mountain ranges beyond both Allegheny and Blue Ridge. The owner, inspired stylistically by Arts & Crafts cottages, designed the house, and had it “system-built” in Rocky Mount. The interior reflects the owner, her love of animals and nature and her family and its history, the release said. Native trees and perennial beds surround the exterior. The property is under a Virginia Outdoors Foundation easement.
396 Summerdean Road, Middlebrook
This two-room log home, built in the late 18th-early 19th century, contains the living room and dining room. Its massive logs were strong enough to support a second story added later. In the rear, a frame kitchen addition with a brick and stone fireplace built in the 1850s completes the residence. The owner, a dedicated woodworker, has repaired much of the furniture and fabric of the house, the release said. This creekside property is planted with a variety of trees and features two early outbuildings, a spring house with original boards and hand-forged nails and a root cellar.
“Glebe School House” 1707 Glebe School Road, Swoope
Glebe Schoolhouse, built in 1830, grew to include a two-story living area and then a bedroom addition, all connected in a U-shape. The porch, brick terrace and garden offer views of the Alleghany Mountains. The naturalized landscaping features broad meadows and seasonal wildflowers. The schoolhouse is a Virginia Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
30-acre farm at 80 McKinley Road, Middlebrook
The grounds of this 30-acre farm will be open for the tour. Once the site of a whiskey still supplying miners in the California gold rush, it now is protected under Virginia’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program. The forest and meadow are maintained carefully to conservation standards.
Tickets, box lunches, parking and tips to make the most of your day
Advance tickets: $30 available online at VAGardenWeek.org.
Box lunches: Order your box lunch at Central United Methodist Church; reservation and prepayment required by April 1. You can then pick up your box lunch at The Inn at MeadowCroft on 331 Glebe School Road in Swoope between noon until mid-afternoon.
Day of tour tickets: $40 available at the Garden Tour headquarters — The Inn at MeadowCroft, 331 Glebe School Road, Swoope.
Tip: Wear appropriate flat-heeled shoes or sneakers for walking through gardens and fields.
Self-parking is available at all sites.
Historic Garden Week magazine guides are available inside the Staunton Visitors Center on New St. in downtown Staunton.
Special Programs
“Whiskey, Bees, and Wildlife Habitat” — the history and conservation of a 200-year-old Valley farm at 80 McKinley Road, Middlebrook at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
“Quick and Easy Flower Arrangements” by Erin Wright of Quince and Burdock at 76 North Mountain Road, Swoope at 1 and 2 p.m.
Bartlett Tree Experts will be on hand to provide information and saplings.
Plein Air painters representing Beverley Street Studio School will be painting in the gardens during the tour. Their paintings will be on sale from 5-7 p.m. at the BSSS Gallery at 217 W. Beverley St. in Staunton. Four gallery hours, visit bssschool.org
Visitors are encouraged to enjoy Staunton’s downtown, scenic parks and museums. Of special interest are the gardens of the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum.
Tour proceeds fund the Garden Club of Virginia’s restoration of more than 40 historic public gardens and landscapes and a research fellowship program.
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Reporter Monique Calello can be reached at mcalello@newsleader.com. Support local journalism and subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Historic Garden Week: homes, gardens and Shenandoah Valley views
