Guidelines and Tour Suggestions
Guidelines
Properties may be visited in any order, but some tours suggest routes. That information is included in the Directions of individual sections. Iconic to the country’s largest house and garden tour, the “green arrow” signs, along with traditional signage, are used throughout tour routes. Follow the green arrows.
PARKING
Please check individual tour descriptions. Many neighborhoods cannot accommodate the additional traffic associated with tours. In these cases, use designated parking areas or provided shuttles. Do not block residential driveways.
ACCESSIBILITY
These properties are mostly private homes and are therefore not always accessible to those using wheel chairs or walkers. Additional accommodations may be available to visitors who are visually or hearing impaired with advance notice and to the extent that they do not impose an undue hardship. Service animals are allowed.
TOURING NOTES
As a courtesy to homeowners, visitors are requested to avoid wearing shoes that could damage flooring. For your comfort and safety, please wear flat walking shoes, and watch for steps and uneven surfaces as you visit homes and gardens. As a safeguard against the spread of boxwood blight, please avoid contact with all boxwood while on tour properties.
TICKETS
Advance tickets are available at numerous local outlets listed by tour, or online at www.vagardenweek.org. No refunds for advance ticket purchases. Online ticket sales close 10 a.m. the day of each individual tour date. Tickets can also be purchased on the day of tours. Generally, these must be purchased with cash or check. Many tours offer credit card purchasing on tour days. Typically, this service is available at individual tour headquarters. Tours are held rain or shine, except for tours that are inaccessible due to weather conditions.
available Advance tickets at local outlets at listed by tour, or g. or k. ee VaGardenW
PHOTOGRAPHY
No interior photography or sketching. Photography of any kind, including via cellphone, is prohibited within the houses and some tours prohibit exterior photography as well.
FACILITIES
There are no public restrooms in the homes.
PETS
Pets (except service animals) are not permitted.
NO SMOKING, STROLLERS, BACKPACKS, ETC.
Be mindful of your surroundings, no items that could bump fellow visitors or private property are allowed into the houses.
CHILDREN
Children 17 years of age and under must be accompanied at all times by a parent or other responsible adult. Tours are produced and hosted by 47 different member clubs of the Garden Club of Virginia. Generally, student tickets are half of the ticket cost, and young children are free. While most tours are not geared towards young visitors, some are more conducive than others. If you are planning on bringing a guest under the age of 18, please call the Tour Chair for ticket pricing.
DISCLAIMER
Information about tour properties is provided by homeowners and is accurate to the best of our knowledge. Being featured on a tour is not an endorsement by the Garden Club of Virginia of the homeowner’s political views, religious affiliations, or other opinions or practices. Homes and gardens are chosen solely for their visual appeal and historic or design interest.
GCV POLICIES
The Garden Club of Virginia, its member clubs and owners of properties on Historic Garden Week tours are not responsible for accidents occurring on the tours. It is also a policy of the Garden Club of Virginia and Historic Garden Week not to allow the transportation of tour visitors using golf carts, and not to allow the use of “booties” in homes on tour.
5
LET US INTRODUCE YOU TO THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PRIVATE HOMES AND GARDENS IN VIRGINIA THIS SPRING. Whether it’s the inspiring gardens, the interior design and architecture, the history, or the Instagram-worthy flower arrangements created by Garden Club of Virginia (GCV) members, with 29 tours to choose from, and special GCV Centennial opportunities, Historic Garden Week in Virginia offers something for everyone. The only statewide house & garden tour in the nation, this annual springtime ritual includes access to 156 private homes and gardens in communities both large and small, many open for the very first time to the public. There are numerous ways to organize your Historic Garden Week trip. To plan by region or day of the week, please reference the fold-out map at the end of the Guidebook. If you would rather plan by type of tour, we hope this list, new for 2020, is helpful. Outstanding Gardens • Morven,
• • • • • • • • • • • •
outside Charlottesville
Ashland – Hanover Co. Clarke County Eastern Shore Fairfax Fredericksburg Gloucester – Mathews Oak Spring, Upperville Middleburg Orange County Richmond: River Road South Hill Staunton
2020 Shuttle Tours (Be aware, every year the properties showcased are different, therefore the logistics change every year)
• • • • • •
Albemarle Gloucester – Mathews Northern Neck Richmond: River Road South Hill Williamsburg
For History-Lovers
For Groups (Bus)
• Old Town Alexandria • Ashland – Hanover Co. • Danville-Chatham • Eastern Shore • Fairfax • Fredericksburg • Gloucester – Mathews • Hampton • James River Plantations • Middle Peninsula • Petersburg • Olde Towne Portsmouth • Kent-Valentine House, Richmond • Williamsburg • Lynchburg • Staunton
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Walking Tours • • • • • •
Albemarle Old Town Alexandria Fredericksburg Hampton-Newport News Harrisonburg James River Plantations Norfolk Olde Towne Portsmouth Orange County Northern Neck Richmond: Church Hill Richmond: Monument Ave. Richmond: River Road Roanoke – Fincastle South Hill Williamsburg Virginia Beach Martinsville Lynchburg
Old Town Alexandria Norfolk Richmond: Church Hill Olde Towne Portsmouth Richmond: Monument Ave Virginia Beach
Burwell-Morgan Mill, photo courtesy of Roger Foley
TOUR ROUTES
Photo courtesy of Adam Wayland
HISTORIC GARDEN WEEK 2020
