Visitors interested in architecture and interior decorating will see beautifully renovated historic properties as well as stunning contemporary residences, exceptional artwork, and some of the country s best collections of glass, china, and American, European and Asian antiques. Many houses have interesting family histories intertwined with the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and the Victorian era. Interesting lectures and tours will be held during Garden Week at Thomas Jefferson s Monticello in Charlottesville. Monticello s grounds are among more than three dozen restorations of historic gardens and grounds by The Garden Club of Virginia, with funding from Garden Week tours. Historic Garden Week, entering its 69 th season, is the oldest and largest statewide house and garden tour event in the nation.
Tours benefit the restoration of important historic grounds and gardens throughout the state.
Each event offers an engaging variety of five to six local houses and gardens, most open to the public for the first time for Garden Week. Built in 1780, the spacious and quietly elegant Retreat Farm residence is the center of a major natural farming operation, with sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the hills, fields, gardens and pastures of its 570 acres. Retreat will be among the properties open by the Dolley Madison Garden Club on Saturday, April 20, in the Historic Rapidan area of Orange County , approximately 30 minutes north of Charlottesville. This graceful house, surrounded by beautiful established gardens and a more recently planted Charleston-style garden, will be featured on the tour in Virginia Beach on Tuesday, April 23. Built in the 1730s by Landon Carter and owned by his direct descendants, Sabine Hall will be a highlight of the Northern Neck tour in Richmond County on Wednesday, April 24.