FRANKLIN CLUB TOUR:
“Escape to Historic Courtland”
Sponsored by the Franklin Garden Club
Saturday, April 19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Chairman:
Amy Browne (Mrs. Winston M. III)
19458 Cross Keys Road
Boykins, VA 23827
Telephone (757) 654-9584
Email amybrowne@mywebaccess.net
Co-Chairman:
Susan Duke (Mrs. Roy C.)
1012 N. High Street
Franklin, VA 23851
Telephone (757) 562-7377
Email shduke1@charter.net
TICKETS: Full ticket, $15, single-site admission, $8. Children 13 and older, full price; ages 6-12, half price; ages 5 and under, free of charge. Tickets may be purchased on tour day at any of the houses open for the tour.
ADVANCE TICKETS: Available from tour chairmen or online at www.VAGardenweek.org.
LUNCHEON: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 22430 Main St., Courtland, VA, Luncheon $7.50. Served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
REFRESHMENTS: Complimentary refreshments will be served from 2 to 4 p.m. at Southern Sisters, 22076 Main St., Courtland, Va.
DIRECTIONS: From the east, take Rt. 58 west. From the west and north, take I-95 south to the Courtland exit, travel 32 mi. on Rt. 35 to Courtland. Follow the green arrows. Walking shoes are recommended.
RESTROOM FACILITIES: Available at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 22430 Main St., Courtland, VA and Rawls Museum Arts, 22376 Linden St., Courtland, VA.
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES: Rawls Museum Arts presents a “Tablescapes” exhibit in the main art gallery and Blackwater Artist League original art in the Francis gallery.
Courtland—18631 Plank Road
18631 PLANK ROAD, Boxwood Creek. From
Courtland, go north on Rt. 35 for 3 mi., located on right after Wakefield
Rd. Follow attendants and signs for parking. Boxwood Creek was
designed and built by the current homeowners in 1983 on the Davis family
farm. The house was given its name for the abundance of boxwoods
and the flowing mill creek that provides the property’s boundary. Mrs.
Davis’ father, Alfred B. Kitchen, guided the construction of the
Southern Colonial-style house with bead-board siding, dentil molding, operable
shutters and a cedar-shake roof that complements the natural setting. The
white entry gate to the courtyard garden presents a hand-laid brick sidewalk,
elaborate footed urns and a collection of Lazy Hill birdhouses that are
a favorite among bird enthusiasts.
The warm and inviting interior showcases the family’s love of
cupboards. The entry foyer features an English Chippendale chest from
the 1760s, along with glazed crocks lining the front staircase. The elegant
Southern charm of the dining room is enhanced by embroidered silk draperies
purchased in the apple orchard region of the Shenandoah Valley. A collection
of Depression glassware is displayed in a corner cupboard. The cozy
living room is furnished with local estate antiques collected by the owners
throughout many years. The fireplace replicates a 1800s design and was
built by a local cabinetmaker. Mrs. Davis’ favorite cupboard, given
by her husband as a Christmas gift, stands in the rustic kitchen and displays
her many china patterns. Words of praise and other samplers stitched
by Mrs. Davis add her personal touch to the walls throughout the interior. The
comfortable lifestyle of the owners is reflected in the generous walk-in pantry,
family mud room, and game entertainment room in their basement. Indian
artifacts are arranged on a glass-top table, and the old oak roll-top desk
was once used at the “Old Kitchen’s Grocery” in Courtland. Open
for the first time. Raymond and Debbie Davis, owners.
22094 MAIN STREET. Purchased in 1989 by the
present owner, the original house was built in the early 1900s. Recent
extensive renovations include the addition of a master bedroom and bath suite
that complement the original crafting of the structure. A wide “sitting” porch
shows off the plain 1900s columns and is the focal point of the entrance
to this Southern Colonial-style residence. The lengthy grand foyer
is exquisitely furnished with family and estate antiques. Oak hardwood floors
are original to the house. Ms. Alexander’s large collection
of Candlewick Depression glass is displayed in the den, and a barber stand
is a centerpiece antique from Will Story’s shop in Capron, Virginia.
The kitchen was renovated for ease of entertaining and a comfortable
flow. A traditional dining room features subtle colors accented by various
silver and china patterns. The owner is a collector of local art, and
original pieces are featured throughout the interior. On the north side of
the house, a divine courtyard with English boxwoods, azaleas and a dogwood
tree has been beautifully landscaped in a park-like setting. The back
patio is designed for outdoor living and convenience to outbuildings. Open
for the first time. Leeann Alexander, owner.
22076 MAIN STREET, Southern Sisters Bakery & Eatery. Handicapped
accessible. In the late-1880s, the Kindred
family owned a farm just outside the town of Jerusalem, Virginia (now Courtland). A
portion of the farm was sold in 1889 to the Methodist Episcopal Church,
now part of Main Street very near the center of Courtland. The “Joyner
House,” as it has been known for many years, has seen its share of
living across the generations, through various families, wars, decline
and renovation. Concerned by the beautiful landmark’s depressed appearance,
the present owner and four other women envisioned its rebirth and began
a one-year renovation project to preserve its historic charm and create
a dining facility for the Courtland community.
A long entrance foyer creates the atmosphere of casual elegance. Original
floors have a rich, old plank design that adds warmth to the interior. The
dining rooms feature original mural artwork of silhouettes and the “Governor’s
Palace” by award-winning local artist Martha Gibson. The owners have
decorated with family heirlooms, such as a variety of broaches and estate antiques,
coordinating with the vintage style of the business. Whimsical art and furnishings
embellish the bakery, including a painted cat followed by a mouse, quite a
conversational piece. French doors lead to a stylish covered patio. The
columns that accent the French door were found in the existing barn. The patio
offers a tranquil setting with a fountain and bistro tables for guests. Open
for the first time. Leeann Alexander, Peggy Jones, Ramona Rich, and Samantha
Jones.
22376 LINDEN STREET, Rawls Museum Arts, one
block off Business Rt.58, handicap accessible. In 1952, Walter
Cecil Rawls, a St. Louis businessman who was born in Southampton County,
first envisioned the Walter Cecil Rawls Library and Museum. Mr. Rawls
enlisted the aid of a friend, Junius Pulley, who suggested the Courtland
location. The goal was that the library would include a museum to
house artifacts of the county and collections of art. In 1957 the
library-museum was completed. In April of 1960, the Rev. C.W. Gibson, minister
of Courtland Methodist Church, assembled the first exhibit in the gallery,
coinciding with Historic Garden Week in Virginia and featuring artwork
by local artists and a display of Civil War memorabilia.
In October of 1963, Mr. Rawls made his last appearance at an art opening
at the library-museum. On May 4, 1964, there was an exhibit of Mr. Rawls’ paintings,
and the following June, the first four-county art exhibit was held. In
1966 the museum was organized as an affiliate of the Virginia Museum of Fine
Arts.
The museum/art division became a separate non-profit entity known as Rawls
Museum Arts, Inc. in 1980. Its mission was to expand cultural outreach
by offering educational programs, art classes for all ages, exhibits and
opportunities to acquaint regional residents with the many facets of art. In
December of 1999, Rawls Museum Arts celebrated the opening of the newly constructed
gallery, which houses the Main Gallery, the Francis Gallery and the Gift
shop. Rawls Museum continues to offer programs to area residents to increase
awareness of the arts in keeping with the vision of Walter Cecil Rawls. Open
for the first time.
MAIN STREET, ROCHELLE-PRINCE HOUSE, across from
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. The Rochelle family, dating from
1668 in Virginia, is most closely connected with this historic house through
the generations. Ralph Rochelle was the attorney for William Rookings,
a lieutenant of Nathaniel Bacon during Bacon’s Rebellion in 1676. Rochelle’s
grandson John Rochelle lived in Southampton County, and his great-grandson
James Rochelle served as the clerk of the Southampton County Court and
most probably built the major portion of the Rochelle House as it stands
today. An insurance policy dated in 1817 shows this house as being two
stories high and built of wood. Dr. Henry Gray was the actual taxpayer
of the property, where he resided and worked until his death in 1814. In
1817, James Rochelle married Dr. Gray’s widow, Martha Hines Gray. The
tax records of 1820 show the house being valued at $770, a substantial
sum for the day.
In 1821, James Rochelle purchased the property from Dr. Gray’s
heirs and from that time until the 1880s, it remained in the Rochelle family. In
the period between 1826 and 1827, tax records doubled the value of the buildings,
the result of either rebuilding or substantial additions. Mattie Rochelle,
daughter of James and Martha Rochelle, married John Tyler Jr., son of President
John Tyler. They lived in the house for a number of years with their
three children. The Rochelle family continued to play a prominent role
in Southampton County. Mattie Rochelle Tyler’s daughter Mattie
Tyler served for many years as postmistress and is said to have been instrumental
in changing the name of the county seat from Jerusalem to Courtland. The
Rochelle House today is owned by the Southampton County Historical Society
through the generosity of the late Ann Louisa Prince. Although a wing
at the rear of the structure has been removed, the simple white frame building
has changed little since it housed one of Southampton County’s more prominent
19th century families. Southampton County Historical Society, owner.
22430 MAIN STREET, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, LUNCHEON
SITE, handicap accessible. This historic church traces its
roots to the formation of Nottoway Parish in August, 1734. The first
parish stood near Flower’s bridge, which crossed the Nottoway River
just south of the Southampton County Courthouse. Of special note is the
silver communion service and alms basin that will be on display. The service
was made in London in 1746-47 and is one of three intact Virginia communion
services from the period. On March 17, 1873, the three trustees of
the Protestant Episcopal Congregation of Jerusalem bought a three-acre
tract lying “immediately South by East of Jerusalem” (incorporated
as Courtland in 1888) for $25. One acre was set aside for the purpose
of building a church; the remainder of the property was to be used as a
cemetery for the families of the church. In 1903, part of the property
was sold to the town of Courtland for a cemetery. The purchase price
of $300 was to be used in erecting a new church building.
The present St. Luke’s Church was completed in 1906 and was consecrated
in 1911. With its white wood siding, tall tower and steeple, St. Luke’s
resembles the quaint churches found in New England. On the west side
is a small entrance porch which one architect has described as an “architectural
gem.” Recent renovations and additions to St. Luke’s have
been constructed in the same lovely style as the original building.
ALSO OF INTEREST: Southampton Agriculture Museum one block off Business Rt. 58.