UNIQUE HOMES, SPRING GARDENS HIGHLIGHT OLD TOWN HISTORIC TOUR
Maria Hopper
The lush garden at 206 Duke Street features a birdhouse that is a replica of the Pagoda at Kew Gardens in London.
A venerated Old Town tradition returns on Saturday, April 23 with the Garden Club of Virginia's Historic Home and Garden Tour. Dating to 1929, this year's tour includes five private homes adorned with exquisite floral arrangements designed and executed by garden club members and six historic public properties including: Carlyle House, Lee-Fendall House, River Farm, Gunston Hall, Mount Vernon and Green Spring Gardens. Presented by two local garden clubs, Hunting Creek and the Garden Club of Alexandria. Tickets are $55 and available for purchase at www.vagardenweek.org. Tickets also may be purchased the day of the event at the Alexandria Visitor’s Center located at 221 King Street in Old Town. The tour is part of the Garden Club of Virginia’s eight-day statewide event from April 23-30 encompassing 128 private homes and gardens. Proceeds fund the restoration and preservation of nearly 50 of Virginia’s historic public gardens and landscapes, a research fellowship program in landscape architecture. Transportation: Metro Blue Line to King Street, King Street Trolley to Historic Old Town. Street parking in residential area is not recommended. Paid parking at: Cameron and North St. Asaph St.; Cameron and North Pitt St.; South Pitt St. between Prince and King Streets.; North Fairfax St. at King St.; and South Union St. between Prince and Duke Streets.
