Chairman:
Mrs. Kay C. Wray (Mrs. Charles W.)
10651 Johnson Road
Petersburg, Virginia 23805
Phone: 804-733-9988
Email: WPollard08@aol.com
Co-Chairman:
Mrs. Marilyn Walker (Mrs. Robert C.)
608 Rebel Ridge Road
Colonial Heights, 23834
Phone: 804-530-3177
Email: swepersmom@aol.com
| |
 |
BLOCK TICKET: : $25 includes all tour properties, gardens, refreshments, Siege Museum and Blandford Church. Single-house admission: $10.00. Children 13 and older, full price; ages 6-12, half price; 5 and under, free of charge. Anyone 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult or guardian. Tickets available on tour day at Visitor Center and at each tour site. Houses need not be visited in the order listed. As a courtesy to the homeowners, please no high heels, no interior photography and no smoking
ADVANCE TICKET SALES: Full tickets may be purchased in advance for $20 each at the locations listed below until Monday, April 21. By mail: Send your request for tickets, no later than April 11 with a check, made payable to the Petersburg Garden Club, to Mrs. Charles W. Wray, 10651 Johnson Road, Petersburg, VA 23805. Enclose a stamped, self-addressed, business-size envelope. For an additional charge, tickets may be ordered with a credit card by accessing www.VAGardenweek.org
ADVANCE TICKET SALES LOCATIONS:
Boulevard Flower Gardens
2100 Ruffin Mill Road
Colonial Heights, VA
804-526-4000
The Cordial Crickett
3524 Festival Park Plaza
Chester, VA
904-425-9768
Palmore Decorating Center
1927 South Sycamore Street
Petersburg, VA
Telephone: 804- 732-8181
Petersburg Visitors Center
Farmers Bank
19 Bollingbrook Street
Petersburg, VA
804-733-2400
The Siege Museum
15 West Bank Street
Petersburg, VA
Phone: 804-733-2404
Windows 'N' Walls
3701 Boulevard
Colonial Heights, VA
804-527-7253
REFRESHMENTS: The annual tea will be served at 232 Grove Avenue.
Avenue.
LUNCHEON:
The members of the Cockade City Garden Club will be offering lunch, music and a geranium sale on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at the Petersburg Area Art League, 7 E. Old Street, located in the downtown historic district, from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. A choice of ham and swiss or chicken salad on a croissant, salad, mint, chips, pickle, homemade dessert and bottled water for $10.00.
Blooming geraniums, in a variety of colors, ready to take home, in a 5" diameter size pot, for $5.00 will be available for purchase the day of the tour. To order in advance, email wynne@gmail.com. The proceeds of the geranium and lunch sale are donated to Historic Blandford Cemetery, located in Petersburg, to help repair the tombstones and ironwork.
The Petersburg Area Art League will have local artists' work on display.
Lunch tickets will be available for purchase in advance at Blandford Church and Reception Center, 111 Rochelle Lane, Palmore Decorating Center, 1927 S. Sycamore Street and the Farmer's Bank, 19 Bollingbrook Street, or by calling Mrs. B. G. Sheffield, 804-732-3822l. Lunch tickets may be also purchased the day of the tour at the Petersburg Area Art League. A special needs entrance and elevator is available at the front of the building.
DIRECTIONS: From I-95, take exit 52, W. Washington St. Travel two blocks west, turn right on N. Jefferson St., go one block, turn left on Franklin and go 1/2 block and turn right into Centre Hill Ct. Parking is available in front and back of Centre Hill. Tour maps and information will be available. Leaving Centre Hill, return to Franklin, turn left, go ½ block, turn right on Jefferson. Go through 2 stop lights and turn right on Marshall St. Go to133 Marshall St. From 133 Marshall either drive or walk 2 blocks west to S, Sycamore St. Turn left and go ½ block to 221 S. Sycamore St.. The Cameron Foundation is directly across the street. Upon leaving S. Sycamore St. go north to Old St., (6 stop lights.) Turn left on Old St. At next stop sign, Old St. becomes Grove Ave. The Vargo home is located at 402 Grove Ave. From this point you may walk or drive the tour. Continue on Grove to Cross St., turn left on Cross St., go 1 ½ blocks to 404 Cross St. Return to Grove Ave. and turn left to 514 Grove. Go ½ block to Squaw Alley and Grove, to 531 Grove Ave. From this point, return to Grove and go east to 232 Grove Ave.
Note: To visit the Marie Bowen Gardens, you go south on S. Sycamore St., and turn right at Tuckahoe St., and go one block and turn left onto Fairfax Ave.
CENTRE HILL MANSION MUSEUM, Centre Hill has been called a "symbol of the grandeur that characterized the aristocracy of Virginia in the 19th century." In 1823, the house was built in the Federal style by Robert Bolling IV. Subsequent owners of Centre Hill remodeled the house. In the 1840s, the house was updated by Robert Buckner Bolling to incorporate Greek Revival elements.
In 1901, Charles Davis added Colonial Revival-style elements to the interior. In 1937, Davis sold the house to W. J. Miller. Edgar S. Bowling purchased the house from Miller and donated the property to the National Park Service in honor of his wife, the former Joe Claiborne McIllwaine of Petersburg. It was used as a Red Cross headquarters during WW II, then the government deeded Centre Hill to the Petersburg Museum Corp. In 1972, the Corporation conveyed the house and grounds to the City of Petersburg with the stipulation that the house be used as a museum. Following the transfer of ownership, the Garden Club of Virginia restored the grounds of the house with proceeds from Historic Garden Week.
Two United States presidents have visited Centre Hill. After the fall of Petersburg, President Abraham Lincoln visited on April 3, 1865 and met with the Union general who was occupying the mansion. On May 19, 1909, President William H. Taft was the guest of honor at Centre Hill.
THE CAMERON FOUNDATION, 228 S. Sycamore St.
The Weddell-McCabe-Chisolm house, built between 1840 and 1845, and located in the Poplar Lawn section of Petersburg, has been completely restored and renovated, and is now the permanent head- quarters for The Cameron Foundation. The restoration began in 2008, and was just completed in the fall of 2010.
Over the years, the majestic clapboard Greek Revival style building has been a residence, school, motor inn, & boarding house, and was almost destroyed by fire a number of years ago. The severely damaged building was purchased in December, 2008 by The Cameron Foundation in order to have a facility to accommodate meetings, programs, seminars, and to have on-site parking available.
Enteros Design of Petersburg provided the architectural services in the restoration of the existing building as well as a 5000 square foot addition that houses a conference center, and additional office space. The grandeur of the Greek Revival architecture is represented in the new conference and office area by new masonry piers, a standing seam metal roof, a pediment and vertical openings.
What a treat it will be to visit this newly restored architectural gem. Open for the first time.
TURNER-FREEMAN HOUSE 221 S. Sycamore St.
In 1921, William J. Turner, a Petersburg brick contractor, bought the lot at 221 S. Sycamore Street, and over the next year, built a state-of-the-art fourteen room home for his family. The house later became a boarding house, and in 1993 was purchased by Jay and Kay Freeman, who restored the house to the original 1920's grandeur.
The front porch borrows many features from the Georgian Revival style of architecture with Roman Doric columns of galvanized steel, a fanlight transom and sidelights, and a central dormer ornamented with pilasters and a Palladian window.
Mr. and Mrs. Freeman have a vast collection of antique furnishing and accessories, many of which reflect their love and interest in the 19th century. The downstairs flows from room to room, delighting visitors with glimpses of the past exhibited by such items as an Empire style partner's desk, a Victorian étagère, Art Nouveau lamps, a monumental 1800's display case with an magnificent collection of fish plates (late 1800's to the 1920's), Staffordshire, vintage traveling communion sets, antique decanters, vintage children's books, a 1880 English tilt-top breakfast table, and much, much more. Each item has its own special story, and as a visitor, you will be delighted with everything you hear and see. Open for the first time. Jay and Kay Freeman, owners.
THE VARGO HOME": 402 Grove Ave Built in 1760, this two story Colonial style clapboard dwelling stood in the Blandford section of Petersburg, and was known as the "Peachey House". During the Siege of Petersburg (June 1864-April 1865), shell fire destroyed the roof and second story of the house. By the 1980's this historic dwelling was in such a state of disrepair that the Historic Petersburg Foundation dismantled the home and put it in storage.
In 2007, Marie and Doug Vargo purchased the house from HPF and began the painstaking process of restoring it to its 18th century origins. Kris Haase, of Hasse, Inc. was able to recreate all the salvageable parts, and as they were completed, he and his crew would move them to the 402 building site. Specialty mill work was used in recreating the windows of the house, and careful measurement of each section of wood resulted in a front hall, living room, and dining room that represented the original footprint of the 18th century house. The Vargos were able to move into their completely restored home in 2009.
Always with an eye for "marrying the old with the new", the Vargos added a state-of-the-art media and sound system, a beautiful kitchen with custom cabinets, granite countertops, and hand-made tiles, and a second story that, along with a smaller bedroom, included a master bedroom and luxurious bath.
This house is not to be missed, and is on the tour for the first time. Doug and Marie Vargo, owners.
"BALLENGER GUEST HOUSE". 404 Cross St. This frame home known as "Cross Cottage", underwent a year-long restoration project in 2008 and received the Historic Petersburg Foundation Award for the Preservation Restoration Design. The original chimney remains intact with beams that have been salvaged from other older properties; custom-built eight-foot windows have been installed on the street-side of this home and handsome, new heart-pine flooring is used throughout. An up-beat color scheme of black and taupe and beautiful granite countertops can be found in the kitchen, and the cottage boasts an elegant all marble bath. An interesting mix of furniture pieces purchased from estate sales graces the living room and bedrooms. A noteworthy feature of the property is the presence of underground springs from Brickhouse Run which produces 2,500 gallons of drinkable water per day. An informal garden surrounds this charming cottage located in one of Petersburg's historic neighborhoods. Open for the first time. Dana Ballenger, owner.
MILLER COTTAGE 514-516 Grove Ave
This wooden frame one and one half story double house is located on Petersburg's first street, originally Water Street, in the Old Towne Historic District. The lot on which the house stands was owned by William Haxall of Strawberry Hill. The home, built circa 1834, was originally a residence on the right side and a shop on the left, now connected. The structure is of the Tidewater Colonial Vernacular style of architecture built on a stone foundation with a center chimney and four dormers; and today, after its renovation in 2008, the roofing is constructed of cedar shingles. The interior of the home boasts two original staircases, wide shiplap boards and a living room with a Federal mantle flanked by two arches. Simple wide board wainscoting is found on the first floor, and doors have period-style carpenter's locks, important pieces of furniture include an early nineteenth century canopy bed, blanket chest armoire and an antique print of George Washington. Within the informal garden a newly laid out period style vegetable garden has been created, and a small courtyard exists between the house and the cookhouse in which artifacts and pre- renovation photos are displayed. Open for the first time. Mrs. Jeanette C. Miller, owner.
DUNOVANT/FLORIA HOME 531 Grove Ave
This frame home situated on the corner of Grove Avenue and Squaw Alley and located one block from the Appomattox River is a mesh of Colonial and Greek Revival architectural styles. The original structure dates to 1790 with additions, circa 1810, moved from two different locations. The tin roof, storefront areas and double porches are charming period details. Original flooring is found in the "boys' room" and the library/office, and five fireplaces with their original mantelpieces are located throughout the home. Important pieces of furniture include an 1830's solid walnut wardrobe and an 1890's buffet, both located in the dining room. A converted antique vanity in the bath and a solid oak-topped kitchen island reclaimed from a chemistry lab are interesting components of the home. Many artifacts dating to the Civil War and earlier as well as several well-known potters' pieces are on display in the library. The informal garden features a spring bulb collection and a flourishing kitchen herb garden. This home is listed on the National Historic Building Survey. Open for the first time. Joseph Dunovant and Dani Floria, owners.
J. HARRISON, INC 232 Grove Ave
The annual Historic Garden Day tea will be held in the garden of J. Harrison, Inc., on Grove Ave. J. Harrison, Inc. is not only a beauty salon set in a "Four Seasons Conservatory", but also has a multi room loft on the upper level. The downstairs living quarters of this 1870's Italianate house will be open, and features a variety of artwork, and a grand mixture of contemporary furnishings and lovely antiques. From the moment one is within the white picket gate, you know this is someone who loves gardening, as inspired by his grandmother, Elizabeth Sloan Shumate. There is a lovely mix of grasses, yew, holly, and hydrangea. After leaving the house, you enter a garden area that truly lends itself to outdoor entertaining. The exposed aggregate patio has an edging of knock-out roses, azaleas, dogwood with large stone accent pieces. An allee of Italian pencil cypress, with their heavenly smell, leads one to a large tent where the tea will be held. Beyond this area is a shade garden with stone benches, dogwood, Japanese maples, vibernum, hosta, Solomon's seal, and a variety of spring blooming bulbs. Open for the first time. Mr. John Harrison Yosting Shumate, owner.
MARIE BOWEN GARDENS. In 1967, the Raleigh Parish Garden Club selected as a club project a lovely, wooded area, located in the Walnut Hill neighborhood bounded by Arch Street, Arch Circle, and Fairfax Street. Azaleas, flowering trees, camellias, rhododendrons and other plants compatible with a naturalized setting are featured. Mrs. Bowen donated many plants to this site. During her lifetime, she maintained the Fairfax side of the garden, donating her time and hard work to the project. Upon her death in 1979, the city council allowed the park to be named The Marie Bowen Garden as a tribute to this dedicated gardener.
Since 1979 Raleigh Parish has continually added plant specimens and has installed and maintained a sprinkler system. Also the Boy Scouts, with the club's financial assistance, constructed a Chippendale bridge and erected a stone waterway to control erosion. Recently the wildflower garden has been re-established and plantings identified.
LINKS:
