VIRGINIA BEACH
“Charming Old Cottages by the Sea”
Sponsored by The Virginia Beach Garden Club and
The Princess Anne Garden Club
Wednesday, April 23, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Chairman:
LaVerne Crown (Mrs. Samuel T.)
2213 Haversham Close
Virginia Beach, VA 23454
(757) 481-1465
Email: lavernec@hotmail.com
Co-Chairman:
Susan Hall (Mrs. Herman A, III)
2502 Cheyne Walk
Virginia Beach, VA 23454
(757) 481-3191
Email: MrsSusieQ@aol.com
TICKETS: Full tickets are $23 purchased in advance prior to tour day and $25 on tour day. Full tickets include admission to eight private homes and gardens and six Historic Homes. Single-house admission is $10. Tickets are available at all private homes on the tour. For an additional charge, tickets may be purchased on-line at www.VAGardenweek.org.
ADVANCE TICKET SALE LOCATIONS: Baker’s Jewelry, 972 Laskin Rd., Linkhorn Shops, Virginia Beach (757) 422-5522; Flowers-Wayne Jones, 329 Laskin Rd., Virginia Beach (757) 428-2901; Willis Wayside, 4220 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach (757) 340-2112; and Yves Delorme, 1860 Laskin Rd., La Promenade Shoppes, Virginia Beach (757) 425-6963.
DIRECTIONS: From Rt. 64, take Rt. 264 to Virginia Beach. Rt.
264 merges into 21st St.. Continue to Pacific Ave. and turn left. Proceed
approximately 1.3 mi. to the tour locations. At the Cavalier Hotel, Pacific
Ave. merges into Atlantic Ave. Parking is available on the land side/west
side of Atlantic Ave. within walking distance of many of the homes.
We encourage you to tour the area by bus. Bus stops will be posted. Throughout
the tour, buses will continue to drop off and pick up near each of the homes,
The Cavalier on the Hill and Princess Anne Country Club (where lunch is available).
LUNCH: A light, cold buffet is available for $15 at the Princess Anne Country Club (established in 1916), 3800 Pacific Ave., from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
REFRESHMENTS: Complimentary refreshments will be served in
the garden of Mr. and Mrs. William T. Campbell, 108 69th St., from 2 to 4
p.m., weather permitting.
SPECIAL EVENTS: To celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Historic
Garden Week, tour organizers are featuring North End restored beach cottages
and gardens from the ’20s, ’30s, ’40s and ’50s.
Also, don’t miss the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum (the old de
Witt cottage built in 1895) which is the oldest remaining structure on
the oceanfront (Atlantic Ave. and 12th St.).
NO CAMERAS OR USE OF CELL PHONES INSIDE THE HOMES, PLEASE. As a courtesy
to the homeowners and for your own safety, please wear flat walking shoes.
FOLLOW SIGNS AND GREEN ARROWS TO HOMES ON TOUR.
4800 OCEAN FRONT. Built in 1955, this comfortable
beach house crests a high lot overlooking the ocean. The yard is a profusion
of flowering shrubs, trees and bulbs. The foyer sets the theme of the interior,
which is decorated with corals, shells, seahorses and sea creatures. A delightful
tropical mural is painted by Cathy Cox and pictures the owner’s dog,
Misha, on her beach towel. The floors, fireplaces, trim and doors are
original. The east wing of the house was rebuilt after the Ash Wednesday storm
in 1962. The living room fireplace has a Shirley mantel with some of the owner’s
collection of Herend porcelain sea creatures. A pair of curio cabinets, from
a home in Palm Beach, houses the owner’s collection of real coral and
shells. Note the Queen Anne Marquetry Dutch chair, a pair of Chinese lacquered
hall chairs, the four Jeanne Saul paintings, and the serigraphs by Thomas McKnight.
Area carpets are made of sea grass. Step down into the sunroom with a seaside
view that will amaze you. The library contains two antique wicker chairs, built-in
bookcases and a fireplace with a painted seahorse screen.
The master suite features a whimsical print, with the bath painted in
the same motif. The iron bed, wicker table and chest are from Berry Hill
Plantation near South Boston, Virginia, a property which belonged to the owner’s
family. A “fainting couch” is from the historic Curls Neck
Farm on the James River. The crystal chandelier in the dining room belonged
to the owner’s mother. Silver seahorse lamps adorn a buffet made
entirely of shells. The owner collects Italian pewter made by her friend Richard
Cipolla. His large pieces are in the dining room. Opened for Historic Garden
Week more than 50 years ago, this appealing house is open again by Betsy Watkins
Short, current owner.
108 54th STREET. This charming yellow brick
beach cottage was constructed in 1958. Enter the foyer and you know immediately
that this house is special. The owners, avid art collectors, have created
a visual treat. In the foyer are a striking oil painting and three small
paintings from the Philippines. The living room has a large painting of Portugal
over a resin-sculpted woman. Animal-print carpets, a table painted by Mrs.
Belk, a reupholstered old couch bought at a junk store, plus more art add
to this eclectic room. Floors throughout the interior are original.
The dining room table is a solid piece of wood brought from the Philippines
by Mrs. Belk’s grandparents in 1915. Artworks include an antique Satsuma
vase and a large still-life. There is a large Haitian painting of “The
Last Supper.” The family room is bright and light, and there are
three more oil paintings, a Haitian piece called “Spurned Suitor,” and
wooden frog musical instruments. The art in the master suite includes
a Haitian painting, a portrait of the owners, a sunset, an ocean scene, and
a large oil over the bed purchased in Honfleur, France. A “mermaid box” is
painted inside and out. The kitchen features an oil stick-on paper and a large
papier-mache Haitian woman. The garage, converted into a guest suite, is also
filled with Haitian art. Mr. Belk’s collections of old duck decoys dating
from 1940 to 1970 are also on display there. A second guest bedroom highlights
an oil painting of Mrs. Belk’s daughters. The hall bath contains two
Virginia landscapes. The Belk residence is surrounded by perennial gardens,
also works of art. Open for the first time. Mr. and Mrs. James P. Belk,
owners.
Virginia Beach—109 54th Street
109 54th STREET. “Bexhill” imparts the
charm of the period in which it was built (1936) and the warmth and personality
of the owner. Jalousie windows were removed, and new arches and screen enclose
a delightful front porch. The porch ceiling of wainscoting and the doors
throughout the house are original. The owner built piers under the house
to level the floors before making changes, which include new shingles on
the exterior and reconnecting the first and second floors to convert two “apartments” back
to the original single-family residence. Refinished floors are original,
as are the deep base moldings.
Interior colors are luscious, and much of the furniture is from Mrs.
Davis’ parents. An acrylic on paper, “Tulips,” adorns
the mantel in the living room. The room also features an oil beach scene
and an oil still-life. The den contains Tole brackets holding ceramic parrots
purchased in Portugal and a watercolor of a Martinique street scene. Mrs. Davis
added crown molding in the living room and reconfigured the hallway to the
second floor and the powder room in the den. The bar area, once a tiny step-down
porch, was designed by her son. The dining room features seahorse lamps
on the sideboard and an oil of “Bexhill.” The kitchen was renovated,
and porcelain plates from Norway and England and four plates with animals by
Tiffany adorn the walls. The deck is made of Brazilian ironwood from the Amazon
rain forest. There is a two-car garage with an apartment, and a cedar-lined
shower is marked by a ceramic mermaid. This house has been updated but retains
that undeniable “beach” feeling. Open for the first time. Mrs.
Douglas W. Davis, owner.
6508 OCEAN FRONT. This inviting 1948 beach
cottage was recently purchased as a summer home for the Cutchins family. Although
there have been changes through the years, much of the cottage on the east
side is the original structure, showcasing the beamed ceilings, cozy living
room and east-facing summer porch. The first floor also provided for a small
maid’s quarters which has been cleverly transformed into a guest room
and bath. The front entrance features a crisp white Chippendale railing and
balcony, lined with a collection of “beach scene” oil paintings,
many done by local artists such as friend Susan Vaughan. The original
pine-paneled walls were stripped and repainted with a light beech stain throughout
the interior. The living spaces feature inviting fabrics in colors of coral,
light blue, yellow and white. A beautiful old pine corner cupboard and chest
of drawers are just a selection of furniture pieces that are original to
the house. The living room is a favorite gathering place, whether playing
bridge at the period bamboo card table or cozying up next to the fireplace
on a cool fall evening. Adjacent to the dining room is a newly renovated
kitchen which shines in tones of white and sea blue-green with aqua glass
drawer-pulls.
Spectacular views of the ocean, dunes, grasses and salt-tolerant garden
plantings are enjoyed from the private balcony off the master bedroom. The
guest rooms and nursery in the west-end addition provide a place to spread
out and embrace the beach experience. Open for the first time for Garden
Week. Mr. and Mrs. Clifford A. Cutchins IV, owners.
108 69th STREET. GARDEN ONLY. This lovely
coastal garden looks as though it has grown naturally, undisturbed for many
years. The front yard is elegant with a cut-bluestone walkway and tumbled-paver
driveway. Billowing masses of summer beach roses, Russian sage, boxwood,
dianthus and daisies make this a glorious and informal landscape. The stars
of the garden are in the backyard, with huge, twisting live oaks that stretch
around the back of the charming 1925 cedar-shake beach house. Reaching toward
the sun as they have for decades, the oaks are nestled in and around the
owner’s decks which enhance and protect them on four different deck
levels. “Living in the trees” takes on a new meaning here. Unlike
the old oaks, other aspects of the garden have been in place for less than
a decade. The waterfall, which spills over rocks and down into a glistening
pond, is backed into the secondary dune line, a remnant of earlier days.
Raised-deck walkways, stone walls, walks and arbors have all been added
to the landscape much more recently. The garden peaks in June and July
when the hydrangeas are in full bloom but is designed to have year-round interest.
Groupings of edgeworthia, helleborus, ferns, hydrangeas, hostas, euonymus and
other shade-loving plants combine to make this garden cool and refreshing even
on the hottest day. Mr. and Mrs. William T. Campbell, owners.
Refreshments will be served in the garden from 2 to
4 p.m., weather permitting.
215 87th STREET. Built in 1948, this cozy
beach cottage nestles in the pines with all of its original charm. Loosely
structured cottage gardens of boxwood, perennials, herbs and grasses draw
the visitor up the shaded brick walk to a vine-trellised porch. The front
design of the cottage was purposely left “original.” Renovations
were kept in the style of the 1920s and include two features of interest. The
rear wall of the house was designed to look like the bow of a ship, and the
second-story paneled ceiling of the “wave room” (the wave line
is repeated in the banister) sweeps down from above, transitioning to the
ceiling over the living space below. This residence was featured in Southern
Living magazine in 2002 and also in the book Cottages on the Coast.
The owners have decorated throughout with a clever use of color, materials
and their extensive art collections. They have transformed this cottage
into a beautifully designed home, including the use of vintage Hawaiian bark
cloth in several of the rooms. Don’t miss the “Rainforest” green
marble from Brazil in the remodeled kitchen. Also of note are the Welsh
Ruabon quarry tiles and rosetta medallions that grace both fireplaces. The
cottage features assorted art collections by different designers, including
much of Diane Murdock’s own work as well as the work of her family. Mrs.
Murdock also has a pottery studio in the backyard which was built to include
a gable from an old New Orleans French Quarter home. The studio is accessed
through meandering garden trails accented with shade-loving plants and garden
art, including a Matthew Fine sculpture. Open for the first time. Mr.
and Mrs. Stephen Murdock, owners.
311 48th STREET. Constructed in
1938 in the middle of a double lot, this charming cottage has the luxury
of a huge private yard. Pass the tall hedge of azaleas under the canopy of
a large pin oak and walk across the old brick path to an open porch. Here,
original glass jalousie windows were removed and four columns added. The
two-story structure is original, as are the floors, living room fireplace
and windows in the front rooms. Additions include a dining room and fireplace.
A closet was removed to make room for bookcases.
Interesting artwork includes two mixed-media pieces by Isack Kousnsky. “Farm
by the Sea” is an oil by Will Corr, whose paintings are
also in the office and dining room. The oil painting over the fireplace in
the dining room is of Villa Nova, a country home in Barbados, once owned by
Sir Anthony Eden, former prime minister of England. A pastel of the French
countryside in the dining room and a small painting in the hallway bookshelf
are by the owner's late friend, Shawn Brown. In the hall, “Five Colorful
Dogs” is by Jonathan Blum. French doors were added to the office
and doors in the house were widened. The remodeled kitchen has maple
cabinets, black granite countertops and hanging copper pots. You will exit
through a cozy screened porch. The two-car garage and the apartment above it
are original to the property. Nestled in the shade is a comfortable hammock.
Owned by a young professional couple, Dr. Melissa Lexier and Mr. Hobie Whitmore,
this cottage is open for the first time.
310 45th STREET. Whether strolling along the historic
Cavalier walkway or just driving through this intimate, old beach community,
you will enjoy the striking view of this recently rescued and restored beautiful
old beach home. This stunning three-story traditional house was built
in 1955 by the late Joseph Myers. The Burwells purchased the property and
then committed to restoring it to its former glory, painting it light yellow
with white trim and black shutters. Gleaming hardwood floors complement the
wainscoting, and walls are painted in light almond, soft grey-green and dark
red. Much of the original woodwork was reclaimed, and the molding
and baseboards were built back to their original style. The paneled window
shutters, as well as the surrounding white picket fence, were designed and
constructed by Joseph Myers. The kitchen of brown marble and handsome white
custom cabinets sports a full-size wine cooler. You pass by the family
room, which features a wall of Nancy Thomas collections, on your way to the
dining room, which showcases a beautiful china hutch built in 1940 by a Norfolk
cabinetmaker. The lovely living room elegantly displays a large Staffordshire
collection and an impressive grand piano. The master bedroom, originally
a deck, was cleverly redesigned to be a spacious combination of bed, bath,
closet and dressing room. An old exposed brick chimney in the master
bedroom provides a warm accent to the handsome furnishings.
The south side of the house features a large breezy porch with comfortable
dark-green wicker furniture and broad black and white striped awnings. This
area overlooks inviting gardens of boxwood, roses and perennials and includes
a nearby bluestone-countered outdoor kitchen. At the far end of the garden
is an enchanting guest house that reflects the charm of the main house but
enjoys its own space and intimacy, a perfect get-a-way for the appreciative
guest. Open for the first time. Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Burwell,
owners.
4201 ATLANTIC AVE. THE CAVALIER ON THE HILL. Stroll
through history as you tour the impressive lobby of The Cavalier Hotel on the
Hill, built in 1927. The Cavalier was designed to cater to the affluent patronage
of the ’20s and ’30s. This grand dame of hotels has been a beacon
of welcome for many famous people including Presidents, sports figures, musicians,
actors, dancers, authors and others. The hotel is registered in the National
Trust for Historic Preservation of Historic Hotels of America.
HISTORIC HOMES
*Historic Homes will be open at no additional charge with a full ticket for
the Virginia Beach Garden Tour on Wednesday, April 23, from 1 to 4:30 p.m.
and also on Thursday, April 24, at regularly scheduled hours. (* Please note
that Upper Wolfsnare will not be open on Thursday.)
THE ADAM THOROUGHGOOD HOUSE, 1636 Parish Rd. From Rt. 264 Independence Blvd., North Pembroke exit. Follow to Pleasure House Rd. Turn right. Turn right again onto Thoroughgood Dr. and follow Thoroughgood Dr. and signs to Parish Rd. Turn right on Parish. In 1636, Capt. Adam Thoroughgood received a grant of 5,350 acres, the largest land grant in the colony to that date, for his contributions to the new colony of Virginia. The historic house, a National Historic Landmark which now bears Adam Thoroughgood’s name, was built c. 1719 by one of his descendants. This English-style house is one of the earliest permanent brick structures in Virginia and is furnished with an extensive collection of 17th and 18th century pieces that reflect the lives of early English settlers in Tidewater. The grounds were a restoration project of The Garden Club of Virginia in 1958-59 and 1990, and the gardens are currently being maintained by Virginia Beach Master Gardeners through the support of the Virginia Beach Department of Agriculture and the Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation Department, Landscape Services Division. Especially for the tour, the house will be decorated in the style of the early colonial period, and refreshments of lavender cakes and herbal tea will be served from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Guests may also enjoy dulcimer music by master musician Marsha Wallace. Guided tours of the property will include discussions of the historical uses and lore of herbs. Admission: adults $4, students (6-18) $2, and seniors $3. The house is open year-round, Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Mondays. Call (757) 460-7588 for information.
ATLANTIC WILDFOWL HERITAGE MUSEUM, DEWITT COTTAGE, Atlantic Ave. and 12th St. The oldest remaining structure on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, built during the city’s initial development period, this cottage features historical wildfowl artifacts and additionally depicts the early history of Virginia Beach captured through pictures, oral reports and the presence of historically significant structures. Antique wildfowl decoys are on display. Open daily Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays noon to 5 p.m., admission free. For more information call (757) 437-8432 or visit awhm.org.
FERRY PLANTATION HOUSE, c. 1830, 4136 Cheswick Lane. From
264 take North Witchduck Exit. Follow Witchduck Rd. going east across
Independence Blvd. Witchduck then becomes Pembroke Blvd. Make
a right turn on Bishop, left on Liverpool and left on Cheswick Lane into
Old Donation Farm. Parking area is at 4136 Cheswick Lane. Walk up
the brick path to the Historic House. The present house
was built of good bricks taken from the rubble of a previous manor house
and built to half the size and attached to the third Princess Anne Courthouse
in 1830. The 10-room, central-passageway Federal farmhouse has on
the third floor the history of Grace Sherwood, Virginia’s only convicted
witch tried by water. She was exonerated by Virginia Gov. Timothy
Kaine on July 10, 2006, at the Ferry Plantation House. The Plantation
House is on the State and National Registers of Historic Places and is
a Virginia Landmark, owned by the city of Virginia Beach. Visitors
may explore the many uses of herbs and cash-crop gardens for medicinal,
culinary, dye and fragrance purposes. Docents in antebellum attire
will turn flax into linen during the Virginia Beach Garden Week tour.
Refreshments of Ferry Plantation tea and various teacakes with a touch
of the past will be served. Regular tour hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
and Saturday year-round 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: adults $5, students
and seniors $2. Group tours are available by appointment. Call
(757) 473-5182, email: director@ferryplantationhouse.hrcoxmail.com,
website: www.ferryplantation.org
FRANCIS LAND HOUSE, 3131 Virginia Beach Blvd. From Rt. 264, take Lynnhaven North to Virginia Beach Blvd. Turn left on Virginia Beach Blvd. The Francis Land House is a superb early 19th century brick Georgian dwelling. The plantation was home to six generations of the Land family, with the first generation arriving in the Virginia colony in the 17th century. Original paneling and floors, period furnishings, spectacular gardens and costumed interpreters will make this a memorable stop. Through a generous donation from the Cavalier Garden Club, the Francis Land House gardens have recently acquired more than 60,000 new bulbs and hundreds of perennials. Period floral arrangements created by the Council of Garden Clubs of Virginia Beach will be featured throughout the house. On the April 23 tour day, a special program with refreshments and music will be offered to guests, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Regular admission: adults $4, students $2, seniors $3, and children under 6, free. Hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additional information (757) 431-4000 or tmmarsh@vbgov.com. Owned by the City of Virginia Beach.
LYNNHAVEN HOUSE, c. 1725, 4405 Wishart Rd. From 264, Independence Blvd., North/Pembroke exit. Follow Independence and turn right on Wishart. House is ½ mile on right. Park in the gravel lot and follow the path through woods. Built in 1725 by Francis and Abigail Thelaball II, this small but stately story-and-a-half brick home, with kitchen and hall down and two bedchambers above, is an excellent example of early 18th century Eastern Virginia architecture. The kitchen herb garden, originally designed and planted by The Princess Anne Garden Club, offers insight into the many and varied uses of herbs in the early 18th century. Admission: adults $4, students $2, children 5 and under, free. The house is open year round Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed on Mondays. Lynnhaven House is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Virginia Landmark. For additional information call (757) 460-7109.
UPPER WOLFSNARE, 2040 Potter’s Road. From I-264, First Colonial Rd., South Exit. At the first light after Virginia Beach Blvd. (US 58), take the “y” to the right (First Colonial Rd.). This runs into Potter’s Rd. Upper Wolfsnare is approximately 1 mi. on the right. Built in 1759 by Thomas Walke III, this majestic brick Georgian house was constructed near the then-navigable Wolfsnare Creek. A historically minded citizen and the Princess Anne County Historical Society narrowly saved the fine house from demolition. The integrity of the original building has not been compromised, even though it remains occupied today. This impressive house reflects an elegant by-gone era. Especially noteworthy are the central passage and distinct stairway that serves four floor levels. Docents will help visitors step back in time by providing insights into the realities of life in the last half of the 18th century. Regular hours are Wednesday, noon to 4 p.m. during July and August or by group appointment throughout the year (757) 491-3490 or virginiabeachhistory.org. Owned by the Princess Anne County/Virginia Beach Historical Society.