Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-11-07
CARTER HALL,OF
GEORGIAN DESIGN,
WAS BUILT 1880
Old Manor of Burwell
Family Reflects Early
Virginia Ideals.
WAS THE SCENE OF MANY
LAVISH SOCIAL GATHERINGS
ny EDITH TUvIs SALE.

hb III IJNlS S.Nits
Though the first seventy-Hrc years
OF the eighteenth century were un-
qucstionably tho golden age Of archi-
trcture in Virginia, some exceedingly
fine examples OF Georgian design
we're built after the Revolution. or
these white piilarcd mansions. Car
tor Hall. in Clarke County. stands
among tho first. and IL may be takcr-
for granted that the name OF
this estate was given from n very
am pride Of birth.
I'm EnElighman travelling IN
-Nuicrlca years ago said that ",nany
III inccs would give half their DO
niiions for what the residents OF
thls estate posscsscd-hcalth. con-
,"rt and tranquility OF mind" ami
nose who have followed him arc even
more enthusiastic in their 6l3wius
descriptions OF the old home ouI al
T. means.
When Lo"! c'ulucscr left or decided
his great grant OF the Northern
Neck or Virginia to the Fa'rfaHcg.
hey IN turn EranteJ 5000 acres 70
carter Burwcll IN 1880; hence the be-
INNING OF the manor known as Car
ter Hall, wh.2h vent from tho a-st
owner to his son. Nathaniel Burwcll.
under whose regime tho plantation
achieved its greatest s%Dlcndor.
Colonel Nathaniel Durwe!l was
iw!cc married.; his first wife being
Susan Gryincs, and the second. Lucy
Iage. widow OF George Baylor. and
about this last alliance hangs Carter
Halls most interesting romance. II
Was for Lucy Page that Colonel Bur
we'll erected. in 1890. tho fno mansion
which s,ill crowns the estate. White
IN color and built OF stone with Il
stncco surface. the house which tops
a series OF terraces to stand forth
from IA background OF trees, con-
s!sts OF 4 thrce-story main building.
thanked BY wings upon both sides.
tIc entire frontage covering sixty
ak feet. Massive Ionic columns. six
~ number. extend TO the very top OF
Tao house and support tho broad. flag
tone piazza from which one steps
mo tho great hall.
Portraits mud Heirlooms.
Virtually cutting the mansion IN
Two. as Il carries it's width OF thirty
:eot through. his hall has on IFS
~ . 80 iHA'f ooAsA. N4ac "a
.!ns-room lies on the left. Tho draw
ing-room beyond harbors some beau
'itul portraits and many heirlooms.
the most interesting and impressive
among tho latter being tho medal
conferred upon younG Nathaniel
Eurwcll for proficiency In mathe-
mates at old William and Mary COL
lose in the year 1870. Five OF these
medals only Nrnra 1.a .yI.an oil ~
'hem being from 4 fund presented BY
Lord Botetourt.
Among the portraits, that OF Ma
'hanicl Rurwcll stands foremost. II
hangs conspicuously above tho man
eel and shows the hlgh-brcd fca-
lures OF a man in early life. His
velvet coat is set off by silver but
tons and braid. and a siiver-trimmed
hat OF Continental fashion is held
gracefully in his right hand 10 leave
uncovered his white perukc.
In the spacious dinins-room. the
great mahogany board grcaned be-
meath the weight OF sumptuous fcasts
when America was young, and on the
buffet stood the mighty punch bowl
70 be empticd and rcflled again
and again AZ toasts were drunk and
hrnting songs sung. Docantcrs filled
with wines Of Spain and the blue
~IAnarics, cobwebby bottles OF old
Madeira from the vaulted cellars be-
low, ak were suggestive Of the days
-; long ago when bellies and cav
alters held undisputed sway In old
Virginia. y look ut the old Burweli
silver in the old Carter Hall dining.
room. and one thinks of the lavish
entertainments of n hysone age In
which both played II conspicuous
.art.
What boundless hospitality was
found in the old plantation homesa
Wide-sprcading roofs and cvcr-opan
Ioors, showing the spirit OF true
welcome. laid hands upon the chance
l,asser-by as upon the most cherished
friend. In the early days of the
i;urwells, who. through the
Of intermarriasc. claimed as cou-
sins all the great families of Virginia.
Carter Hall was often filled to over
flowing.
One interesting feature OF the din
Ing room is n painting let into the
paheling above tho fireplace. This
work OF art. which was done In
= auoTn tniS particular spot,
shows n marine scene the colors of
which glow In fine contrast to the
"hitc OF cornicc and wainscot.
Views OF the Mountains.
ascending the stairway. one gets
i.impses OF spacious, high-ceiled
i1S:,s furnished along tho lines de-
ICED IN Colonial days. and climbing
III a.Ehc" up a narrow, spiral STAIR
~ NJ. - ia go
- ''Sf Steps on: upon m observatory
- iea: G9uars and Enclosed within
; s,.rdy baiustradc. Tho three
"sh. ci::a3 Is we'll worth while, for
&c visitor gains suddenly a beautiful
20" wfare the Sky on ono side bends
hHwh to tho Blue Ridge Mountains.
90 f'o'da and streams and dancing
sprinss n''os he forest upcil4 tho 9th.