Gloucester House and Garden Tour – Historic Garden Week in Virginia

Gloucester County’s rich history dates from just after the settlement at Jamestown in 1607 and its role during the American Revolution was pivotal. The southern tip of the county’s peninsula extends into the York River and is directly across from Yorktown.  This prime military vantage point is the location of one of our properties, Little England Farm, built in 1716.  Visitors will enjoy access to additional private homes and grounds, including Sweetgrass, a low-country style home which looks across the Severn River to Warner Hall, George Washington’s great-great-grandfather’s estate.  Also open is Belvinhem Quay, which overlooks Timberneck Creek and boasts an extensive art collection.  Abingdon Episcopal Church, the largest colonial church in Virginia and one of only eight built in the form of a Latin cross, will be tour headquarters.  All properties are in the town of Hayes.

Headquarters at Abingdon Episcopal Church, 4645 George Washington Memorial Hwy, Hayes (White Marsh).  Lunches, tours of the church, live organ music, tickets, and local brochure with map are available on tour day. Abingdon’s Parish House will be open for lunchtime seating and the Abingdon organist will be playing in the church from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Lunches

Nuttall Country Store is offering $12 pre-ordered box lunches available for pickup at tour headquarters.  Pre-order by calling 804-693-3067 or emailing [email protected] by Friday, April 19th. You may visit the store on Facebook: Nuttall Store.

VA Blue Crab is offering $12 pre-ordered box lunches available for pickup at tour headquarters.  Pre-order box lunches by calling 804-694-7990 by Friday, April 19th.  In addition, their on-site food truck will serve crab cakes, crab soup and other crab specialties from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at tour headquarters. You may visit the store on Facebook: VA Blue Crab Co.

Gumbeau’s Catering is offering French-countryside themed food including cheeses, charcuterie, French sandwiches such as croque monsieur, soup and seasonal salads from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.at Brent & Becky’s Bulbs, 7900 Daffodil Lane, Gloucester 23061.  For more information, please visit the store on Facebook:  Gumbeau’s Catering.

Special Events

Lemonade and cookies are complimentary and served from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Belvinhem Quay.  Take the shuttle from Abingdon Elementary School.

Art in the Garden will take place at Brent & Becky’s Bulbs from 10 am to 4 pm and will showcase art and garden vendors as well as plein air painters in the garden.  Brent & Becky’s Bulbs is located at 7900 Daffodil Lane, Gloucester 23072.

Master Gardeners Tours are available of Brent & Becky’s Bulb’s Chesapeake-Bay-friendly gardens from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  See address above.

Hosted by the Garden Club of Gloucester

For questions please contact

Durfee Betts, Chair at (617) 448-3724 or Peggy Montgomery, Co-Chair at (804) 516-5261

[email protected]

Gloucester tour details:  https://www.vagardenweek.org/main/tourdetails?id=395

Advance $35, Day-of-Tour $45

Tickets include admission to 4 tour locations.

Advance purchase at vagardenweek.org  Tickets available locally until April 24^th at Angelwing Stationers, Brent & Becky’s Bulbs, Little England Mercantile, and Mathews Visitor Center.  Cash or check only.

Day-of-tour tickets available only at Headquarters by credit card, cash or check.  Not sold at tour houses.