Photo courtesy of Virginia Garden Week
Historic Garden Week in Alexandria
Tickets are on sale now to see several beautiful homes and gardens in Alexandria.
Old Town Alexandria will kick off the Garden Club of Virginia’s 85th Historic Garden Week public tour of stunning historic homes and gardens.
The annual event is is expected to draw an estimated 1,500 garden enthusiasts and tourists to Alexandria.
The local tour on Saturday, April 21 is part of the Garden Club of Virginia’s statewide tour of Virginia’s finest historic homes and gardens during the height of the spring blooming season.
Presented by the Hunting Creek Garden Club and the Garden Club of Alexandria, the local Old Town tour encompasses tours of five private homes and gardens with exquisite floral arrangements designed by club members showcased in each home.
One property on the tour dates to 1749, with land purchased by Augustine Washington, half- brother of George Washington. Another home became the residence and headquarters of the military governor of Alexandria in 1861. Yet another was used by Union troops for offices during the Civil War. The first Mayor of Alexandria constructed and lived in another of the notable Old Town homes.
The tour also includes examples of beautiful courtyard-style gardens, two of which have been recently professionally redesigned.
Open just in time for spring blooming, planting examples will include Japanese Silverbell, Carolina Jasmine, roses, peonies, clematis and perennials. In addition, exquisite floral arrangements designed by club members will be showcased in each home. The horticulturally significant gardens of Mount Vernon, the American Horticultural Society, Green Spring Gardens, Gunston Hall, Carlyle House and Lee-Fendall House are all included with the tour ticket.
The Garden Club of Virginia’s eight-day event encompasses 25 tours throughout Virginia and nearly 200 private homes and gardens hosted by member clubs. For 85 years, the nation’s only statewide house and garden tour has contributed to both Virginia and regional economies.
The statewide tour is expected to draw more than 25,000 visitors from around the country, with an economic impact throughout the past 45 years of more than $425 million. Proceeds fund the restoration and preservation of more than 40 of Virginia’s historic public gardens and landscapes, a research fellowship program, and a Garden Club of Virginia Centennial project with Virginia State Parks.
Local restoration gardens can be seen at Green Spring Gardens and George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
When: Saturday, April 21, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Old Town Tour Details: Ticket price includes admission to five of Old Town Alexandria’s most elite private homes and gardens, refreshments at 228 South Pitt Street, and admittance to five nearby historic public properties, including: Carlyle House, Lee-Fendall House, River Farm, Gunston Hall and Mount Vernon. There is also a Marketplace at the Athenaeum at 201 Prince St. with specialty boutiques.
Note: Other Washington, D.C. area GCV club tours include: Middleburg on April 22-23, Great Falls, McLean and Vienna on April 24, and Fredericksburg on April 24.
Tickets: Tickets are $45 in advance and $55 the day of the tour, and are available for purchase at www.vagardenweek.org. Tickets may be purchased the day of the event at the Athenaeum, 201 Prince St., St. Paul’s Church, 228 S. Pitt St., and the Alexandria Visitor’s Bureau at 115 King St.
