Historic Garden Week in Virginia

PORTSMOUTH
Glensheallah

Sponsored by The Elizabeth River Garden Club

Saturday, April 19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Occupying a peninsula on the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River, the Glensheallah neighborhood was named for the former Armistead family property on which it is situated.  Established in 1919, this early country club community originally included its own clubhouse and golf course.  Now a tranquil district of stately houses and well-tended gardens, Glensheallah offers a quiet and welcome respite to both visitors and residents.

Chairman:
  Barbara Byers (Mrs. Keith)
  512 Hampton Place
  Portsmouth, VA 23704-2520
  Telephone:  (757) 673-4893
  E-mail:  byersbk@cox.net

Co-Chairman:
  Dottie Lindley (Mrs. W. Irvin)
  218 Glasgow Street
  Portsmouth, VA  23704-2802
  Telephone:  (757) 397-7261
  E-mail:  dlindley@paperwhyte.com

Ticket Chairman:
  Martha McLean (Mrs. A. P.)
  9345 Eclipse Drive
  Suffolk, VA  23422-1612
  Telephone:  (757) 238-3113
  E-mail:  marthamclean@charter.net

FULL TICKET:  $25; single-site admission, $10.  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 listed tour site.  Children younger than age 17 must be accompanied by an adult.  Houses need not be visited in the order listed.

ADVANCE TICKETS:  $22 for full tour.  No single-site advance tickets available.  Tickets may be purchased only by check made payable to ERGC.  No cash or credit cards accepted.  Tickets may be purchased between March 1 and noon on April 14 at the following locations:  PORTSMOUTH: Bowman’s Garden Center, Way Back Yonder Antiques, Paperwhyte, Starboards Coffee Kiosk.  CHESAPEAKE: 18th Century Merchant.  SUFFOLK: Heirloom Botanica, Seaboard Station Railroad Museum.  SMITHFIELD: Cloud Nine.  Advance tickets are also available through the ticket chairman or, for an additional charge with a credit card, by accessing www.VAGardenweek.org.

LUNCH SUGGESTIONS:  A list of nearby restaurants, with addresses and phone numbers, will be available at each site on the tour.  There are many fine restaurants, coffee and sandwich shops within a ten-minute drive from the tour site.

REFRESHMENTS:  Served throughout the day, weather permitting, in the Petsos’ garden, 216 East Road.

OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS:

Check into the Renaissance Hotel Portsmouth and enjoy the amazing views of Downtown Norfolk or the Elizabeth River.  Enjoy two complimentary breakfast buffets in Foggy Point, two tickets to the Garden Club week in the Glenshellah section of Portsmouth, and admission to seven homes in the area.

Reservations

Be sure that the promotional code P54 appears in the Corporate/Promotional code box when making your online reservation, or call 1-800-228-9290 in the US and ask for promotional code P54.  For toll-free numbers outside the US please click here.

Rates from 189-$209

Terms and Conditions

Valid 4/17 through 4/19/08.  Limited number of rooms are available for this promotion.  Tax is additional.  Offer does not apply to groups of 10 or more rooms.  Offer cannot be combined with any other promotions.  Blackout dates may apply.  Advance reservations required.  Other restrictions may apply.  Rates are per room, per night and based on availability at the time of reservations.

DIRECTIONS TO TOUR AREA:

  From North/Richmond, take I-64 E to I-664 through the Monitor-Merrimac tunnel, take Exit 9 onto I-164 toward Downtown Portsmouth.  Go 2.7 mi. to the Cedar Lane Exit and turn right onto Cedar Lane.   Follow 1.3 mi. to High Street West (Rt. 17), turn left and go 1.6 mi. and turn left on Hartford, and turn left at the second street which is West Rd.

  From East/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, take I-264 W to the downtown tunnel.  Take Exit 5 and turn right onto Frederick Blvd.  Follow 1.2 mi. to High St. and turn left.  Go 0.6 mi. and turn right onto Hartford St. and turn left at the second street which is West Rd.

  From West/Suffolk, take Rt. 58 E through to Exit and turn left onto Frederick Blvd. Follow 1.2 mi. to High St. and turn left.  Go 0.6 mi and turn right onto Hartford St. and turn left at the second street which is West Rd.

NOTE:  This is a walking tour.  Please wear flat, comfortable shoes for your own safety and as a courtesy to homeowners.  Photography is not permitted in the houses.

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES:  Information about geothermal energy as an alternative heat and cooling source and its positive impact on the environment will be available at the Petsos’ home, 216 East Road.

  207 WEST ROAD. This imposing 1922 brick Colonial-style house was built by the owner’s great-grandfather and features a slate roof, three prominent dormers, a porch with fluted columns and an expansive river view.  A hand-painted mural is a welcoming presence in the foyer. Tall ceilings give the rooms a sense of spaciousness.  Taupe walls and white trim unify the rooms, while the richly colored Oriental rugs and vibrant fabrics introduce warmth. The kitchen, renovated in 1999, uses a whimsical nature theme in the countertop tiles and the cabinet hardware.  Antique furniture, original works of art and collections of enamel boxes, majolica ware and Herend porcelain offer interest throughout the interior.
  The gardens are created as a series of rooms. The first, at the rear of the house, features a circular brick terrace under an old pecan tree where a fountain’s soothing sounds and cool water attract birds.  Beyond a small lawn is a “secret garden” containing old English boxwood, camellias and honeysuckle vines on a trellis. A slate path from the backyard to the side yard reveals a croquet lawn surrounded by a shady garden.  A passage opens through the ligustrum hedge, which is flanked by a perennial bed, small pond and terrace that captures a scenic view of the river.  Birds feed on berries from nandinas, hollies, mahonias and ligustrum that are in abundant supply. Throughout the gardens are statuary, seating, interesting ornamentation and plants offering a sanctuary for wildlife and respite for the owners. Judy and Steve Perry, owners.

  201 WEST ROAD.  Aptly named “Watersedge,” this charming 1928 Colonial-style house offers a commanding view of the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River.  A nautical motif is whimsically repeated in sailboats on the original shutters and the chimneys.  The front porch is draped in a Lady Banksia rose and a “Lady Jefferson” wild clematis vine for seasonal blooms. The owner purchased the house in 1998 and has created an attractive space with an eclectic mix of family furnishings and items acquired around the world.  Fawn-colored walls in the entrance and in the living room lend a dramatic touch to the downstairs.  Window valances, created from fabric found in Mexico, are enhanced by bouillon fringe and hung over sheer panels for a sophisticated look.  Built-in bookcases in the major rooms add architectural interest as well as space to display treasured memorabilia.  An extensive collection of original etchings from various European countries, a c. 1918 Delft plate collection, and Japanese cloth dolls presented to the owner’s mother by a Japanese admiral are of special interest. The charming kitchen contains unusual mulberry cabinets and an adjacent butler’s pantry with original glass-front cabinets.
  A side terrace is filled with a variety of potted plants and a table and chairs for alfresco entertaining.  An open side porch offers views of the river. The rear terrace, recently extended by the owner, is shaded by a large crape myrtle and surrounded by a variety of plantings.  Large urns frame the view of the back garden, most notable for its original demilune pond.  A kiwi vine, trained on an arbor, unfailingly produces fruit for a very special treat from this garden.  Open for the first time for Historic Garden Week. Mr. Brian P. Early, owner.

  202 PARK ROAD.  Lush foundation plantings and flowers spilling from large urns at the front steps give this c. 1934 traditional Colonial-style house curb appeal.  The current owners updated the residence in 2004 with a sunroom converted from a porch and a large rear addition which includes a family room, extended kitchen and a screened porch.
  The interior color scheme is derived from the owners’ Rose Medallion porcelain collection.  These colors flow into the rooms in the upholstery and window fabrics. Asian influences are seen in the large hand-painted panels, antique prints, tray tea table and handsome Oriental screen.  Interesting collections include small boxes, kaleidoscopes, old bottles, antique English prints and majolica ware.  The new family room contains a large informal dining table and a comfortable seating area around a fireplace.  The adjoining screened porch is a favorite gathering spot from which the owners enjoy the beautiful garden they have created. 
  Visitors will want to linger in this very special garden.  The discovery of a long-buried original fish pond inspired them to restore and enhance the water feature.  Extensive planting over the past few years has produced a garden overflowing with a variety of shrubs, trees and flowering plants.  A large artfully crafted bird house with clematis climbing its base introduces a whimsy to the garden.  Pots by the patio hold roses, heirloom iris and other interesting plants.  Open for the first time for Historic Garden Week.  Mr. and Mrs. Patrick S. Callahan, owners.

  213 PARK ROAD, GARDEN ONLY.  A loggia across the rear of the house offers a delightful retreat and overlook for this small garden. Cushioned by an eclectic mix of pillows, a pair of Chippendale benches promises comfortable seating for enjoying the view.  Completing this outdoor living space are an antique wicker table, salt-glaze pottery and sturdy stone planters containing colorful plantings.  A bed near the porch, shaded by a maple tree and a white crape myrtle, contains a pedestal birdbath planted with tulips and other spring blooming bulbs.  An under-planting of American boxwood, coral bells and pansies adds color and interest. In the rear of the garden, a trio of oak leaf hydrangeas become a backdrop for an iron bench flanked by variegated euonymus.  Pink fairy roses and dwarf azaleas are dainty additions to this restful spot.
  A Chinese fringe tree draws the eye to the other side of the garden. Included there are hydrangeas, hostas and a tall urn sporting a Boston fern and surrounded by American boxwoods.  A nearby bed produces rosemary, basil and other herbs used by the homeowner. The driveway edges are softened by dwarf nandina, Japanese box, an unusual crabapple and variegated euonymus.  An espaliered pyracantha is trained on a handsome trellis attached to the chimney and is the owners’ favorite garden feature. Open for the first time for Historic Garden Week.  Bill and Pam Oast, owners.

Portsmouth—216 East Road

  216 EAST ROAD.  This 1924 Italianate residence offers a sense of European style both inside and out.  Built on a rise and framed by a low granite wall, this imposing stucco and terracotta-tiled house is surrounded by lush plantings.  Special features include a porte co-chere overlooking the swimming pool and a wisteria-covered pergola with a view of the formal perennial garden. Roses abound on trellises, in topiary form and along the granite wall. Two 80-year-old bald cypresses grace the rear garden. 
  The entrance hall contains a grand circular wrought-iron staircase.   Coffered 12-foot ceilings heighten the effect in both living and dining rooms.  Large windows flood the spaces with light, and French doors open to the outside in many of the rooms. Wood floors and light fixtures throughout the house are original. Large-scale classical furniture and dramatic window treatments evoke Old World elegance.  A sepia hand-painted, tree-of-life mural accents the walls in the dining room.  The newly renovated powder room features a large stone urn sink, tumbled marble walls and travertine cobblestone floors.  Handsome fabrics in shades of blue and green enhance the second-floor bedrooms.  A charming dressing room holds a comfortable chair and an armoire with sink, serving the adjacent small bath with its claw-footed tub. The environmentally conscious owners have recently installed a geothermal heating and cooling system that saves 75 percent on energy consumption.  Open for the first time for Historic Garden Week.  Ginger and Nick Petsos, owners.

  302 EAST ROAD, GARDEN ONLY.  In 1999, after living in this 1947 Georgian-style house for 32 years, the owner called on landscape architect Jack Douglas to redesign the gardens and create an environment sympathetic to the classic house and its mature plantings.  The front of the residence faces a small creek that channels into the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River.  A low retaining wall, of concrete recycled from a neighbor’s driveway, edges the creek and is softened by sedum and daffodils.  A rose bed and a large water oak complete this view.  The entrance to the rear garden reveals a raised brick terrace with seating.  Peonies line the back of the house for a spectacular spring display.  A raised rose bed, a solar-powered fountain and a handsome custom trellis are prominent features. The perennial garden is accented with bulbs and pansies, and a very special cherry tree traditionally provides fruit for pies each year.
  Leading to another garden room is an unusual arched arbor supporting a Golden Showers climbing rose.  A beautiful old live oak tree anchors a corner where camellias, azaleas, astilbe, hostas and blackberries thrive as the under-story plantings.  Two pear trees reach for the sun and are counted on for their luscious fruitful.  Another area includes columbine, day lilies, butterfly bush and bearded iris. This garden, composed of rooms and custom-designed hardscape, will delight the senses. Open for the first time for Historic Garden Week.  Rebecca O. Barclay, owner.

  306 EAST ROAD.  A stately 200-year-old oak tree shades the facade of this 1948 Colonial Revival house.  Purchased by the present owner in 1996, the residence has undergone extensive renovations to transform it into a contemporary living space.  Additions include a breakfast room converted from a screened porch in 2001 and a breezeway and garage added in 2006.  All of the moldings and unusual columned doorways were crafted by the owner in his garage workshop.  Distinctive wall-painting techniques and faux finishes, including sponged, sueded and striped walls, are used throughout the interior, as well as special wallpapers and borders.  The foyer boasts wide vertical contrasting stripes.  The den is expertly sponged in a three-step process that gives a textural feel to the walls.  Dining room walls are painted in a delightful large-scale, argyle pattern.   Wide horizontal stripes offer a pleasant backdrop for a seashore-themed guest room.  The upstairs study has been painted with an ostrich feather in a kaleidoscope of colors borrowed from surrounding rooms.
  Inclusion of the garden as an important living space is reflected in the wonderful view from the breakfast room and the easy access to the slate terrace.  Azaleas, hydrangeas and gardenias, bordered by English ivy, create a quintessential Southern garden setting.  Two raised cutting beds offer a steady supply of daylilies, iris and daffodils.  A Lady Banksia rose, trained on the breezeway connecting garden and garage, provides a splash of color.  Open for the first time for Historic Garden Week.  Joseph R. Sass, owner.

ALSO OF INTEREST:

  1846 COURTHOUSE, corner of Court and High Streets.  After serving for many years, both for Norfolk County and the City of Portsmouth, the courthouse was renovated in the early 1980s and reopened as a civic arts center and museum.  The Garden Club of Virginia, with funding from Historic Garden Week tours, restored the courthouse grounds in 1983.

  FRESNEL LENS PAVILION.  One High St., located along Portsmouth’s Seawall.  An 1869 “First Order Fresnel Lens,” originally located on Hog Island to guide mariners for nearly a century, is displayed on a rotational pedestal constructed in 2003.  Plantings were contributed by The Elizabeth River Garden Club.

  THE ELIZABETH RIVER PROJECT’S RIVER INFORMATION CENTER, 475 Water St., across from the Fresnel Lens.  This non-profit grassroots organization is working with the community to restore the river.  A perennial garden greets visitors at the entrance.  The center features a six-foot aquarium depicting a healthy river bottom along with other educational and interactive displays.  The Elizabeth River Garden Club supports this project through funding of educational materials.

  HOFFLER CREEK WILDLIFE CENTER, 4510 Twin Pines Road. One hundred and fourty-two acres of nature with a lake, trails and wildlife in abundance. The mission is to “conserve the last parcel of wilderness in the Hoffler Creek watershed for environmental education, research and recreation consistent with good stewardship.”  The Elizabeth River Garden Club supports Hoffler Creek with volunteers and donations.  Open Sat. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Directions from Glensheallah:  From Hartford St., turn right onto High St. and follow 6 mi. Turn right onto Poplar Hill Rd. Go straight for approx. 3 mi.  Hoffler Creek is on the left at intersection of Twin Pines and Woodside Lane.