LYNCHBURG
Sponsored by The Lynchburg Garden Club and
Hillside Garden Club.
Tuesday, April 22, 10 a. m. to 6 p. m.
For Information or Directions, Contact:
The Lynchburg Chamber Visitor’s Information
Center
216 Church St.
Lynchburg, VA 24504
(434) 847-1811
Tour bus groups please call Laura Crumbley at (434) 525-3480
Co-Chairmen
Carey Gravely (Mrs. James M.)
117 Bennington Drive
Lynchburg, VA. 24503
Telephone (434) 384-3647
E-mail: Merlin9347@aol.com
Ferrell Nexsen (Mrs. W. Randolph)
3809 Peakland Place
Lynchburg, VA 24503
Telephone (434) 384-5271
E-mail: VAFTN59@aol.com
Janice Berkley (Mrs. Robert C.)
4708 Doyle Terrace
Lynchburg, VA 24503
Telephone (434) 384-6925
E-mail: jberkley9@aol.com
Laura Rosser (Mrs. G. Lynwood)
117 Fairway CT.
Lynchburg, VA 24503
Telephone (434) 384-7940
E-mail: laurasdesign@aol.com
DIRECTIONS: All the homes, Point of Honor, Headquarters, lunch and parking facilities are conveniently located on or near the Main St./Rivermont Ave./Boonsboro Rd. corridor.
From the North: US 29 South; exit onto Rt. 210 West; at 3rd stoplight, turn left onto Rt. 163; cross the John Lynch Bridge, right onto Rivermont Ave. Follow the green arrows.
From the South: US 29 North to the Lynchburg Expressway; follow signs for 501 North. At the intersection of 501 North, 501 South Business, Irvington Springs and Boonsboro Rd., go straight to Boonsboro Rd. and follow the green arrows.
From the East: US 460 West to the Lynchburg Expressway; follow signs for 501 North. At the intersection of 501 North, 501 South Business, Irvington Springs Rd. and Boonsboro Rd. go straight to Boonsboro Rd. and follow the green arrows.
From the West: US 460 East to Lynchburg Expressway; follow the signs for 501 North. At the intersection of 501 North, 501 South Business, Irvington Springs Rd. and Boonsboro Rd. go straight to Boonsboro Rd. and follow the green arrows.
From Lexington: 501 South to intersection with Boonsboro Rd. and Lynchburg Expressway. Turn left on Boonsboro Rd.
NO BUS SERVICE, carpooling encouraged.
PARKING: There is ample parking at all the homes. Additional parking for the Lupton and Buhler homes will be at Peakland Methodist Church on Boonsboro Road.
HEADQUARTERS: Oakwood Country Club, 3409 Rivermont Ave., is the
Garden Day Headquarters with parking, handicapped-accessible bathrooms,
and lunch by reservation.
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TICKETS: Advance tickets $20, day-of-tour tickets $25, single-site
admission $8. Full ticket for minors 6-12 years old $10 and $4 for single-site
admission. Children 5 and under admitted free of charge. Tickets
are available at the Visitors’ Information Center, 216 Church St., the
pharmacy at Krogers on Boonsboro Road, The Silver Thistle at Boonsboro Shopping
Center and The Columns in Forest. The day of the tour, tickets
will be available at Headquarters and each home. Advance tickets may
be ordered with a credit card at an additional charge by accessing www.VAGardenweek.org.
LUNCHEON-- BOX LUNCHES: Eat-in or carryout box lunches are available at Oakwood Country Club from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at a prepaid cost of $10. Advance reservations are required by calling Oakwood (434) 384-8181 ext. 101
PLEASE NOTE: As a courtesy to our homeowners and for your comfort, please wear flat-heeled shoes. Cameras and video equipment, including camcorders and cell phone cameras, are not permitted in the houses. No smoking is allowed in the houses or gardens. No baby backpacks or strollers allowed in the houses.
4411 BOONSBORO ROAD. Built in 1920 by the
Tenille family and designed by architect Stanhope Johnson, this enchanting
brick cottage is an exciting example of the bungalow style so popular in
the early part of the 20th century. Built in a uniquely American tradition,
the house displays a fine degree of craftsmanship while maintaining a natural
and unaffected character. The overhanging roof with pergola, wrap-around
porch with fireplace, and handcrafted chamfered-paneled front door are all
supporting elements of this distinctive style.
The interiors, both in plan and details, also reflect the bungalow ethic.
The front door opens directly into the living room, which features the original
fireplace with Tudor-inspired surround and mantel. Sconces are original as
well as the molding, stained a natural shade of brown. The homeowners have
several furniture pieces that particularly complement the interiors. Of note
are an Art Nouveau oak armoire in the living room and a delightful oak Stickley-style
sideboard in the dining room, an inherited piece. The aesthetics of the house
are further reinforced by the garden, skillfully designed by the homeowner.
Beautiful beds of many plants such as laurel, azaleas and dwarf rhododendron
combine to provide a profusion of textures, colors and shapes. A lovely lawn
in the back with wonderful beds of trees, shrubs and flowers beckons for a
closer inspection. Mr. and Mrs. Michael O. Buhler, owners.
1628 LINDEN AVENUE. Nestled at the end of
a quiet street is one of Lynchburg’s loveliest homes, surrounded by
gardens. Built in 1944, this Georgian-inspired painted brick offers a garden
of many delights in a park-like setting. Using the city’s hilly topography
to an advantage, the tiered landscape provides different “rooms” for
exploration and reflection. Tall plants such as rhododendron, hollies and
boxwood serve as boundaries and borders. Slate stairs and paths guide the
foot and eye to rooms filled with azaleas, Lenten roses, peonies and climbing
hydrangea. Colors and textures were carefully chosen to create floral vignettes
and vistas. Old statuary, urns and topiaries serve as the perfect accessories,
and an inviting pool with a slate deck promises refreshment.
Not to be outshone by the garden, the interiors offer visual delights
as well. A soft palette of greens, blues, roses and yellows complements beautiful
antiques, rugs and porcelain. The homeowners are avid art collectors and have
acquired an exciting array of works by Lynchburg artists. The airy and welcoming
foyer contains a distinctive French chest and a Jimmie Kyle pastel. An Annie
Harris Massie Apperson landscape and an English mahogany sideboard grace the
dining room. In the living room, handcrafted decoupage lamps, a Louis XVI chair
and a tray table with mother-of-pearl inlay serve as a sophisticated backdrop
to a Chris Burch landscape over the sofa and a Taylor Harbison still-life over
the mantel. The charming sunroom has a precious watercolor of Winston, their
beloved Springer spaniel, by artist Katie Vaden. Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Chapman
lll, owners.
1013 HARRODS COURT. Imagine a house rich in
classical icons and respect for the past that is also filled with fresh concepts,
color and fabrics. Completed by architect Wayne Hardison in 2006, this brick
country French home is a dazzling blend of the traditional and the new. The
homeowner’s sensibility, skillfully developed over years by designing
professionally, is one of sophistication and grace.
A Queen Anne bench with needlepoint pillows, a lovely gilt-framed mirror
and a Wedgwood lamp are but a few of the items awaiting your arrival in the
foyer. A glorious palette of yellows, blues and greens forms the background
for artwork and porcelain from European travels. An exquisite Schonbek blue
crystal chandelier, a gift from the homeowner’s parents, is yet another
elegant accent. The kitchen and family room evoke the feel of a farmhouse in
Provence. Custom cabinets designed by the homeowner, Pierre Deux rugs, and
vibrant yellow and blue fabrics all help to bring warmth and cheeriness to
this section of the house. Artist Lisa Richards, who has one of her oils featured
in the area, did all the faux painting. The master bedroom, with its soaring
ceiling and gorgeous furnishings, offers a not-to-be-missed dressing room.
An established garden with beds of laurel, holly, camellia and bulbs surrounds
the house and provides the finishing touches to this beautifully appointed
home. Dr. and Mrs. Daniel E. Grabeel, owners.
Lynchburg—1450 Trents Ferry Road
1450 TRENTS FERRY ROAD. Old-World charm abounds
in this French-inspired manor house sited in a pastoral setting in the heart
of Lynchburg. Built in 1938 by Mrs. Paulene Webb Owen Russell, it is one
of the finest examples of the “period house” so popular during
that time. The home’s integrity and beauty owe much to its exquisite
craftsmanship and quality materials. The flagstone used on the exterior walls,
pool and terrace was acquired from the old Lynchburg jail when it was razed.
Oak from an old disassembled barn in Bedford County was used for parquet
flooring in the living room and for doors, beams and a stairway. The paneled
library is old wormy chestnut and was carved by a Lynchburg native. Also
of note is the local greenstone which is incorporated in the foyer, dining
room and quite spectacularly, in the spiral staircase.
In 2004, the owners completed a kitchen and family room renovation.
This beautiful addition, while providing modern amenities, seamlessly blends
with the original structure. The elegant interiors with the owners’ extensive
collections of antiques, porcelain and art serve to complete one of the city’s
finest homes
The tiered gardens were carefully designed by landscape architect Marion
Coffin to complement the house and slope of the land. Dogwoods, shrubs, boxwoods
and mature trees constitute much of the planting. A gracious pool with fountain
is the garden’s best-known feature. A lovely English statue, titled “Youthful
Bacchus,” serves as its focal point. Mr. and Mrs. George M. Lupton, Jr.,
owners.
1340 WAKEFIELD ROAD. Surrounded by lovely boxwood
and mature trees, this handsome brick home combines traditional architectural
features and a modern floor plan with subtly and ease. Built in the 1960s,
the house was designed by residential architect Harold White. Both the slate
and the brick used on the exterior came from the old New London Academy.
These materials, along with the Georgian portico and a hanging lantern, originally
from the old Carroll Hotel on 9th and Main Streets, contribute to the home’s
quality and distinction.
The interior is equally successful in striking a harmonious chord between
the old and new. In the foyer, fresh hues of yellow on the walls, a traditional
Oriental rug, and a beautiful English chest provide a gracious welcome. Of
particular note is a striking oil painting by Birmingham, Alabama, artist Toni
Tully who is the homeowner’s aunt. In the formal areas, the homeowner
accommodated her young family by blending lovely, comfortable seating with
her family’s most treasured antique pieces. The master suite, with an
arching tray ceiling, is a calm, serene retreat. Beautifully appointed, the
cream and blue bedroom boasts custom dressing rooms and an inviting study.
In 2006, the homeowners took on a complete kitchen renovation. The custom cabinets,
granite counters and distinctive lamps give this room an updated twist on the
French Provincial tradition. Beyond the breakfast area, sun-filled French doors
beckon to a bluestone terrace. A classic stone fountain, flanked by arched
lattice screens with Lady Banks roses, creates a charming focal point. Mr.
and Mrs. Stephen W. Simmons, owners.
GARDEN CLUB OF VIRGINIA RESTORATIONS IN THE LYNCHBURG AREA:
POINT OF HONOR, 112 Cabell Street. Sited on Daniel’s Hill over looking the James River, Point of Honor is an outstanding example of Piedmont Federal architecture. Built c. 1815 for Dr. George Cabell, the house is distinguished by its octagonal façade and finally crafted interior woodwork. Dr. Cabell (1766 to 1823) was a prominent Virginia surgeon and Patrick Henry’s close personal friend and physician. He married Sarah Winston, Henry’s cousin, in 1792. Point of Honor has been the home of Lynchburg’s most prominent citizens. Inherited by William Lewis Cabell upon the death of his mother in 1826, the mansion was renovated in 1828. He and his wife, the former Eliza Daniel, lived at Point of Honor until their deaths in 1830. Eliza’s father, Judge William Daniel, then inherited the property. The mansion has been restored to its original appearance and is being furnished with appropriate pieces of the period. In 1977-78, with proceeds from Historic Garden Week tours, The Garden Club of Virginia restored the grounds of this remarkable sophisticated example of early 19th century architecture. A Virginia Historic Landmark, Point of Honor is administered by the Lynchburg Museum. Open 10 am until 4 pm. Admission on April 22 is free of charge.
SWEET BRIAR HOUSE. Located on Rt. 29, 12 mi.
north of Lynchburg. The plantation house for the 8,000-acre Sweet Briar
Plantation was once the home of Indiana Fletcher Williams, founder of Sweet
Briar College and her father, Elijah Fletcher, who purchased the property
in 1831. The central portion of the house was built in the early 1790s,
and the towers on each side were completed in 1852 to create the Italianate
villa we see today, among the finest country Tuscan buildings in Virginia. The
house today contains many original and period furnishings and is now home
to the president of Sweet Briar College.
Of great interest are the boxwood circle in front of the house and the
extensive boxwood gardens surrounding it, among the best such plantings in
the country. Complementary gardens also contain a giant magnolia grandiflora
tree, an unusually tall and shapely holly, two deodoras, weeping hemlock, black
walnuts, horse and Chinese chestnuts, catalpa, mimosa, Chinese varnish trees,
and other ornamental trees and shrubs. The grand gardens continue to
flourish and bear testimony to the Fletchers’ love for their stately
and romantic family home. In 2005, The Garden Club of Virginia restored
the arrival court in front of Sweet Briar House with funding from Historic
Garden Week tours. Open 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Garden Day. No
admission fee.
OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST:
MILLER CLAYTOR GARDENS, 2200 Miller Claytor Lane. The Miller Claytor House is Lynchburg’s only remaining 18th century townhouse. Originally located in downtown Lynchburg, the house was moved to Riverside Park in 1936. The garden was designed by noted landscape architect Charles F. Gillette and is typical of the period in which the house was built. The gardens are a project of The Lynchburg Garden Club.
THOMAS JEFFERSON’S POPLAR FOREST. Thomas Jefferson designed Poplar Forest as his year-round retreat. He began his octagonal house in 1806 and called the Bedford County plantation “the most valuable of my possessions.” The house and grounds underwent many changes after leaving the Jefferson family in 1828. In 1984, the nonprofit Corporation for Jefferson’s Poplar Forest rescued the site. Award-winning restoration and archaeology continue. Open daily except Tuesdays, April through November (except Thanksgiving Day), 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information call (434) 525-1806.
AWARENESS GARDEN. 1700
Block Old Langhorne Road. The Awareness Garden, dedicated September 6, 2003,
and located at the Ed Page Entrance to the Black Water Creek Trail, honors
the families, friends and caregivers whose lives have been touched by cancer.
There, “Lalla’s Bell” rings to celebrate the end of treatments,
to remember a loved one, or to bring hope for a cure for all. We invite you
to experience this beautiful gateway to nature, remembering the blessing
of good health.
SANDUSKY, 757 Sandusky Drive. Sandusky
was built c. 1808 by Virginian Charles Johnston. It is named after the area
in Ohio where he was captured by Shawnee Indians and narrowly escaped execution.
Thomas Jefferson was a guest at Sandusky in December 1817. Union Gen. David
Hunter in the June 17-18, 1864, Battle of Lynchburg used the house. Two Union
officers who were at Sandusky later became Presidents, Rutherford B. Hayes
and William McKinley. Sandusky exists as one of the fine examples of Federal-style
architecture in Virginia’s Piedmont region. The house is undergoing restoration
and is open on Garden Day.
THE ANNE SPENCER GARDEN, 1313 Pierce Street. Harlem Renaissance poet Anne Spencer lived in the house on Pierce Street from 1903 until her death in 1975. Hillside Garden Club, under the leadership of Jane White, adopted the restoration of her garden as a project in 1983. The restoration program received statewide recognition in 1984 with the Common Wealth Award from The Garden Club of Virginia. Today, the garden continues to flourish. Both the garden, which is open free of charge to the public, and the Spencers’ recently restored garden cottage, Edankraal, (normally open only by appointment) will be open on Garden Day.
OLD CITY CEMETERY, Fourth and Taylor Streets. History and horticulture abound in the recently restored 200-year-old cemetery. Numerous interpretive brochures are available at the entrance Gatehouse, which was a Garden Club of Virginia Common Wealth Award project. Visit the cemetery’s four museums: the Pest House Medical Museum, the Hearse House and Cemetery Caretakers Museum, the 19th century Mourning Museum, and the 100-year-old reconstructed Station House Museum. Described as a “grave garden” more than 100 years ago, the cemetery is actually an arboretum of 19th century plants and all are botanically labeled. Included are 200 antique roses, medicinal herbs, a water garden, shrub garden, antique daffodils and hundreds of native and ornamental trees. The cemetery, a Virginia Historic Landmark on the National Register of Historic Places, is open to the public daily, without charge, from dawn to dusk.