FRANKLIN CLUB TOUR
Rural Isle of Wight County
“The Blackwater
and Beyond”
Sponsored by The Franklin Garden Club
Saturday, April 17, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Co-Chairman:
Carolyn Crowder (Mrs. E Dayton)
156 Beechwood Drive
Franklin, VA 23851
Telephone: (757) 562-5290
E-mail: cwcrowder@charter.net
Co- Chairman:
Lynne Rabil (Mrs. Frank M.)
101 Beechwood Drive
Franklin, VA 23851
Telephone (757) 562-4081
E-mail: lynne@hubspeanuts.com
FULL TICKET: $20, single-site admission, $6. 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 tour sites. For advanced or internet tickets, please access www.VAGardenweek.org. Children younger than age 17 must be accompanied by an adult.
SPECIAL NOTE: Closed-toe walking shoes are highly recommended, as part of this tour is a hike in the woods.
LUNCHEON: Lunches are available from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Colosse Baptist Church, Rhodes Drive, $8.50.
REFRESHMENTS: Complimentarylight refreshments will be served from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Walters Ruritan Bldg and at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Alphin, 23372 Thomas Woods Trail, Zuni, VA.
DIRECTIONS TO TOUR AREA: From Rte 460 in Windsor, take Rte 258 South (Walters Hwy) 6.7 mi. From Business Rte 58 in Franklin take Rte 258 North (Walters Hwy) 7 mi. The tour will begin at 27746 Walter’s Hwy, Walters Ruritan Community Center, where tickets, maps and directions to tour locations and other points of interest will be available.
Houses may be visited in any order.
However, the tour will
begin at 27746 Walter’s Highway.
RESTROOM FACILITIES: Walter’s Ruritan Bldg., Zuni Hunt Club, Colosse Baptist Church.
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES: Guided tours of the Zuni Pine Barrens will be conducted at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., departing from the Zuni Hunt Club, 24016 Thomas Woods Trail. Please see notes below.
27746 WALTER’S HIGHWAY 23481. The Blackwater River, recently nominated for inclusion in the Virginia Scenic Rivers System, is an important environmental, economic and historic asset to our Commonwealth. Home to an ancient bald cypress forest and a virgin swamp forest accessible only by canoe, the Blackwater River provided the transportation access and flow which allowed for the growth of an international paper mill on its banks in Franklin. Today’s tour focuses on this river, its surrounds and rural life in Isle of Wight County. The day begins with an exhibit by the Blackwater Art League, a group of highly talented local artists. Works of various mediums reflecting the Blackwater River, rural Isle of Wight County, and its flora and fauna will be on display or for sale. Members of the Garden Club of Virginia will be available to guide you from this location in the center of Isle of Wight County to other points of interest.
ZUNI PINE BARRENS, 24016 Thomas Woods Trail 23898. In his 1791 account of his travels, William Bartram described “open, airy” tracts, “the stately trees scatteringly planted by nature, arising straight and erect from the green carpet, embellished with various grasses and flowering plants.” He was describing more than 90 million acres of longleaf pines that used to stretch from Virginia to Texas. Logging for tar and lumber and other modifications to the environment almost destroyed this tree species, as well as the understory vegetation which thrived on the forest floor. A 391-acre remnant of these vast forests known as the Blackwater Ecologic Preserve is a fascinating environmental study of the recovery of an ecosystem. Orchids that had not been seen in Virginia for over 50 years have been blooming since the natural environmental processes have been reinstituted. Originally donated to Nature Conservancy by Union Camp Corporation, this forest is now owned by Old Dominion University but managed in partnership with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Natural Heritage Program. Throughout the day, exhibits and videos associated with Nature Conservancy, the Riverkeeper program, and other environmental organizations will be on display. Key individuals associated with the Zuni Pine Barrens will be available for questions and answers.
Special Event: Tours of the Zuni Pine Barrens will be conducted at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., departing from the Zuni Hunt Club. As a result of limited space, these tours are on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be a brief presentation and discussion of the intricate interactions and interdependencies of species in this ecosystem, what impacts them, and how they have recovered. Closed-toe walking shoes and appropriate clothing are highly recommended.
23372 THOMAS WOODS TRAIL, ZUNI 23898. Rural living is no stranger to members of this family who have made their home on the edge of the Zuni Pine Barrens. Built in 1997 in Georgian design, the stately house seems to stand watch over the family farm. Visitors are led through an alle of crape myrtles to an inviting front portico. Upon entering, it is immediately evident that this home was built with easy entertaining in mind. Living areas, both indoors and out, are spacious and furnished in a way that reflect the owners’ love of all things tropical. This casual living experience is enhanced by the open porch and terrace where a built-in brick barbeque is strategically located. A few steps away, the owners enjoy their pool with an uninterrupted view of the surrounding countryside. Landscaping designed and installed by the owners is a lovely counterpoint to the backdrop of the tall pine forest. Mr. and Mrs. Tom Alphin, owners.
27110 DUKE MEADOWS LANE, WALTERS 23315. Twelve acres of woodland and pasture handed down through several generations have been the serene focal point for this contemporary house completed in 1978. Hardwoods filter sunlight through every window and enhance the warm feeling one has when entering. Complementing the natural setting, bald cypress is a featured on the front stairway and in the living room. A 2002 renovation opened the kitchen to easy entertaining, while a sunroom addition provides a quiet space for respite and meditation. A member of the Blackwater Art League, Mrs Blythe’s creativity is evident throughout the home. Collections include pottery, paintings by local artists and Caldecott Medal winning books. Gifts to her from Mr. Blythe, which are representative of his international business trips to Africa, the Far East and South America, are also featured works of art throughout the house. The study reflects Mr. Blythe’s community interests as well as his dual careers in banking and international business. A fire pit with log seating is a perfect setting for outdoor gatherings. Family is close at hand with two other homes within walking distance through informal gardens of native plants, shrubs and ferns. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Blythe, owners.
28124 SPIVEY TOWN ROAD, WINDSOR 23481. Refreshingly whimsical, this traditional colonial-design house was built on the family’s farm in 1977. An unexpected garden entryway surrounded by wrought-iron fencing features a wisteria-covered arbor built by the owner. Inside the home, one is greeted immediately by a very distinctive style. Trompe l’oeil, by local artist Carol Harrell, defines the foyer and marks the entrance to the dining room in a fanciful way that enhances the owner’s creative displays. Such touches are evident throughout the interior. The focal point of the dining room is a very early 19th century corner cabinet with original glass and hinges. In the hallway, blue inlaid tile stretches to the family room where a stone fireplace anchors one corner of the room. In the opposite corner, an antique cupboard houses a lovely collection of blue china. A chest, damaged when Union troops set a fire inside the top drawer, sits just outside the kitchen door. Throughout the family’s living area and screened porch, antiques, farm-inspired art, and paintings by family and friends lend a feeling of warmth and carefree comfort. Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Carr, owners.
OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST
27114 COLOSSE ROAD. CECIL PROFITT’S ANTIQUE MUSEUM Collectibles, memorabilia and antiques which accurately reflect life in the 20th century are at home in a replica country store and 1940 Esso Gas Station. Restored antique automobiles are displayed in a showroom along with Elvis, Marilyn Monroe and other star memorabilia of the period.
27175 WALTER’S HIGHWAY, GOODMAN HERB GARDENS, featuring a wide variety of plants.