NORTHERN NECK:
LANCASTER COUNTY
“Treasures of the Northern Neck”
Sponsored by The Garden Club of the Northern Neck
Wednesday April 23, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Co-Chairman:
Bonnie Bryant (Mrs. Arthur H. II)
P.O. Box 810
Irvington, VA 22480-0810
Telephone (804) 436-0050
bonniepbryant@hotmail.com
Co-Chairman:
C.J. Carter (Mrs. Jamie)
131 Yankee Point Rd.
Lancaster, VA 22503
Telephone:(804) 462-5157
eastview@rivnet.net
The Northern Neck is the northernmost of three peninsulas on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. This narrow strip of land nestled between the Potomac and the Rappahannock Rivers was referred to as “a place heaven and earth never agreed better to frame man’s habitation,” by Captain John Smith in 1608. Home to presidents and patriots, the Northern Neck has maintained much of the serene and quiet beauty that attracted many of our first settlers, and with more than 6,500 acres of natural areas and 1,200 miles of shoreline, the Northern Neck offers abundant habitat for wildlife as well. The Garden Club of the Northern Neck welcomes you to tour just a few of our treasures.
INFORMATION CENTER:
HISTORIC CHRIST CHURCH. This church is considered
one of the most beautiful colonial churches in North America, and visitors
will find it essentially unchanged since its completion in 1735. It
is built in the English style of that era, embodying design elements of
classic proportion, balance and simplicity. A National Historic Landmark
and a Virginia Historic Landmark, the grounds were landscaped by The Garden
Club of Virginia in 1967. A visit to this church tells much about
colonial life and the man who financed the church project, Robert “King” Carter,
a wealthy tobacco planter and merchant who held numerous public offices
in the Virginia Colony. Carter agreed to build this imposing brick structure
to replace the original church at this site where his parents, who were
earlier colonists, were buried in the chancel. Parking available
for buses, vans and cars. Restroom facilities. Handicapped-accessible. (804)
438-6855.
FULL TICKET: $25 advance ticket price by April 16. $30 day of the tour; $15 single-site admission. Children 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 and at Historic Christ Church. For internet tickets, please access www.VAGardenweek.org.
ADVANCE TICKETS: Available until April 22 at Kreidler Design Associates/ The Perfect Touch, Lively; Chesapeake and Crescent and The Pedestal, Kilmarnock; The Box, White Stone; The Dandelion, Irvington; or by mail until April 16 (please send check made payable to The Garden Club of the Northern Neck) to Kate Muller, 321 Holgate Way, Weems, VA 22576.
GROUP AND TOUR BUS INFORMATION: Please contact Kate Muller (804) 435-6026 for more details. Not all houses will be accessible to group tour coaches. Local guides will be provided for group tour coaches with advance reservations. No refunds.
BOX LUNCHES: Must be reserved in advance. Available at Historic Christ Church. Must send payment ($10) by April 2 to: Mrs. Beverly Oren. Please call (804) 435-3441 or contact bevi@cablefirst.net for more information. Quantities are limited, so reserve early. Box lunches may be picked up at Historic Christ Church from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. for those wishing to picnic along the tour route. Additionally, tented seating will be available on the church grounds.
REFRESHMENTS: Served at Lancaster National Bank. (Directions below)
DIRECTIONS TO INFORMATION CENTER: From Richmond or Norfolk: I-64 to West Point exit. Follow Rte 33 to Rte 17 to Rte 3 in Saluda. Continue on Rte 3 and cross Rappahannock River Bridge to White Stone. At stoplight, turn left on Rte 200 to Irvington. Continue north through Irvington on Rte 200 and turn left on Rte 646 (Christ Church Rd). From Fredericksburg: Rte 3 to Warsaw then Kilmarnock. Take Rte 200 south to Rte 646 (Christ Church Rd).
Houses need not be visited in the order listed.
Northern Neck—Massaponax
MASSAPONAX. From the Information Center, a free shuttle will be available. Massaponax is less than a two-minute drive from the center. Occupying a portion of a larger tract of land that served as a terminal for sand and gravel mined from Massaponax Creek near Fredericksburg and barged down the Rappahannock River, Massaponax was originally constructed in 1990 and completed in 1998. Evocating the Georgian great houses of the Caribbean, the architect-owner took advantage of the views of Carter’s Creek during the design process. A second-story verandah and lower-level terrace connect the house to the pool and gazebo that is an adaptive reuse of an historic bridge toll house. The interior rooms are furnished with antiques both acquired and inherited, representing both sides of the blended families. English chintz is predominate throughout all the principal rooms located on the upper level. These rooms are set off by tray ceilings, elaborate cornices and matched doors in burl walnut. Stone counters in the kitchen are highlighted by painted cabinetry. Architectural artifacts, a cherry-paneled library and collections that range from miniature chairs to international artwork blend to create a home of refined elegance. Open for the first time. Mr. and Mrs. John Paul Hanbury, owners.
HOPE AND GLORY. From the Info Center, take Rte 200 south to Irvington for 1.0 mi. Turn right on Rte 634 (King Carter Drive). Proceed .1 mi. Built around 1890, Academy Hall as it was originally called, was constructed in the “most approved style.” A simple weatherboard structure with bell tower, Academy Hall was a small school for boys and girls. Staying true to its roots, Hope and Glory has graduated into the 21st century while maintaining its 19th century charm. Eclectically styled with comfort in mind, the “old school” still contains two front doors (one for boys and one for girls) but has been modernized and equipped for today. A casual bar area known as “Detention” boasts chalkboard walls, while a long pine table in the dining area invites you to linger. A fun folk art collection in the main house, a chic and comfortable guest cottage, and authentic Victorian gardens that wind throughout the property are just a few of the interesting details. An outdoor shower (circa 1940) is one more touch of whimsy that adds to the overall charm. Open for the first time. Mr. and Mrs. Dudley M. Patteson, owners.
DUCK’S NEST. From the Info Center, take Rte 200 south to Irvington for 1.1 mi. Turn right on Rte 635 (Steamboat Rd) and proceed .1 mi. Turn left on Rte 636 (The Lane) and go .4 mi. A rambling brick cottage located in the heart of Irvington, Duck’s Nest has sweeping views of Carter’s Creek. When they purchased it in 2000, the owners found a typical, unimaginative, two-bedroom, one-bath, mid-20th-century ranch house with low ceilings, small rooms and no views of the water. A three-phase, seven-year renovation has resulted in a magical transformation. The house gained a two-story, three- bedroom addition, a large pool house with wet bar, changing rooms, outdoor shower and fireplace, and a charming lattice-clad garage. The main house now boasts beamed and vaulted ceilings, cozy window seats, 18th century Virginia mantels, and numerous French doors opening onto a stone terrace and large screened porch. Duck’s Nest is furnished with an extensive collection of English and American antiques and paintings. Open for the first time. Fred Comer and Mark Manoff, owners.
LANCASTER NATIONAL BANK. From the Info
Center, take Rte 200 south to Irvington for 1.1 mi. Turn right on
Rte 635 (Steamboat Rd) and proceed .2 mi. Courtesy of the hard-working
members of The Garden Club of the Northern Neck, complimentary
homemade cookies and punch will be served at this site.
This charming brick building was constructed in 1918. It replaced the
original Lancaster National Bank that was built in 1900 and destroyed by the
Irvington fire of 1917. The bank continued to serve its customers at this location
until 1968. After purchasing the building in 1997, the current owner renovated
it for use as a private office. At the front entrance, the original tile floor
opens into a spacious room handsomely furnished with family pieces and a whimsical
collection of piggy banks. Open for the first time. Mr. and Mrs.
Arthur H. Bryant II, owners.
THE COTTAGE. From the Info Center, take Rte
200 south. Drive through Irvington and continue on Rte 200 to White Stone. At
the stoplight, turn right on Rte 3 and go .4 mi. to Rte 637 (James Wharf Rd). Turn
right and after 1.4 mi. continue straight on Rte 659 (Crab Point Rd). Rte
659 (Crab Point Rd) will make a sharp right after .3 mi. Continue for
an additional .7 mi. Proceed with caution as this is a narrow country
road.
Charming flagstone patios and enclosed niche gardens surround the Mediterranean-style
exterior of this renovated bungalow. Built in 1926 and recently updated
by the current owners to accommodate their assorted collections of art and
furniture, The Cottage is a sprawling treasure-trove filled with pieces
found both locally and during the owners’ extensive travels. An
uninterrupted view of the Rappahannock River is appreciated from the formal
living room with its black lacquer walls. The dining area boasts a baby
grand piano and a striking collection of Old Paris porcelain. Straw-plastered
kitchen walls segue to a black and white checkerboard butler’s pantry
and handy side entrance. A sophisticated master suite with private garden
and outdoor shower carries forward the European feel of this property. Open
for the first time. Penne Poole and Ed Fuehrer, owners.
TWO POOL HOUSES:
These pool houses are located near The Cottage off Crab Point Rd. Follow
the green arrows. If driving from the Info Center, take Rte 200 south. Drive
through Irvington and continue on Rte 200 to White Stone. At the
stoplight, turn right on Rte 3 and go .4 mi. to Rte 637 (James Wharf Rd). Turn
right and after 1.4 mi., continue straight on Rte 659 (Crab Point Rd). Rte
659 (Crab Point Rd) will make a sharp right after .3 mi. Continue
for an additional .9 mi. Proceed with caution as this is a narrow
country road.
Where Crab Point Road meets the entrance to Carter’s Creek, two families
enjoy a shared point of land. Creek and river views make this property
one of the most spectacular settings in Lancaster County.
THE POOL HOUSE AT CROSS TIDES. Built in 1990, the pool house at Cross Tides enjoys a wrap-around view of Carter’s Creek and the Rappahannock River. A wooden cathedral ceiling tops the large, open floor plan that combines kitchen, dining and gathering room all in one, making Cross Tides the perfect place for large family gatherings. A pool side bar, large L-shaped pool, and ample decking area provide an inviting outdoor entertainment environment for both family and friends. Open for the first time. Mr. and Mrs. John J. Hanky, Jr., owners.
THE POOL HOUSE AT CROSSWINDS. Completed in 2006, the 1,100-square-foot, two-story structure embodies the spirit of a traditional New England shingle house. Just a short stroll from the main house, the pool house at Crosswinds combines a crisp casual interior punctuated with charming baskets and pillows made by the owner. A “river blue” pool blends seamlessly into the wide view of the Rappahannock River. Surrounded by a bluestone terrace, the pool and pool house at Crosswinds evoke Tidewater Virginia at its finest. Open for the first time. Mr. and Mrs. R. Gordon Smith, owners.
OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST:
THE STEAMBOAT ERA MUSEUM, King Carter Drive, Irvington. Preserving the history of the romantic era of the steamboats, video, dioramas, artifacts, photos, and artwork illustrate their influence. The current exhibit, "Chesapeake Bay--the Mid-Atlantic Highway," studies the connection between the international seaport of Baltimore and the small fishing and farming villages along the Chesapeake Bay. Open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Free of charge. (804) 438-6888.
MARY BALL WASHINGTON MUSEUM, Rte 3, Lancaster Court House. The Mary Ball Washington Museum and Library complex is located in the heart of Lancaster County on Virginia’s Northern Neck. The Museum/Library was established in 1958 and took the name Mary Ball Washington to honor the mother of the nation's first president. Mary Ball was born in Lancaster County, just eight miles from the Museum. The Museum seeks to recapture the stories and the rich history of the people of Virginia's Northern Neck. Several historically significant buildings in the village of Lancaster Court House are all part of the Museum’s collection. Open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission charge. (804) 462-7280
STRATFORD HALL PLANTATION, off Rte 3 on Rte 214 five miles west of Montross. Thomas Lee, a Virginia planter and patriot, had the impressive H-shaped Great House built c. 1738. Stratford Hall was the boyhood home of the only two brothers to sign the Declaration of Independence, Richard Henry Lee and Francis Lightfoot Lee. It was also the birthplace of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. During the period of 1930-34, The Garden Club of Virginia restored the east garden. A Virginia Historic Landmark and a National Historic Landmark. Open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission charge. (804) 493-8038 or visit www.stratfordhall.org.