Friday, April 27, 2018
10:00am – 5:00pm
Just 40 miles east of Richmond is West Point. West Point was founded by Captain John West in 1658 and is nestled where the Pamunkey and Mattaponi rivers form the York River. By the late 1800s, the town had become a fashionable vacation spot with a large hotel overlooking the rivers. Steamboats from Baltimore brought goods and tourists to its ports while railroads connected it to Richmond. Walking the cherry and pear tree-lined streets surrounding the downtown buildings with the stately Victorian architecture brings back images of those long-ago days while a contemporary environmentally “green” house reminds us of our life today.
St. John’s Episcopal Church (916 Main St., West Point 23181). Photos courtesy of the Garden Club of the Middle Peninsula.
St. John’s Episcopal Church (916 Main St., West Point 23181)
The church is headquarters for the tour, where tickets will be purchased and passes and E-tickets redeemed for tickets. St. John’s Parish was founded in 1699, and the original 1734 church building (ten miles northwest of West Point) is still standing. The present St. John’s church in the town of West Point began in 1879 and the building constructed in 1882 remains the core of the present day church. A massive renovation in 2011 restored the foundation, corrected structural problems, and revived the original heart pine flooring. The church will be decorated with flowers to represent a wedding, and a tablescape in the Parish Hall will represent the reception.
Bland House (1205 Main St., West Point 23181).
Bland House (1205 Main St., West Point 23181)
The fancy ironwork surrounding the property and decorating the turret catches your eye at the Victorian house built in 1905. The decorative touches continue into the home and include lacy fretwork, a two-story turret, inlaid hardwood floors with different designs in each room, transoms, large bay windows, and stained glass. Attention was given to restore many of the features, including the original light fixtures. The 1950s kitchen was enlarged and remodeled, adding a clever four-sided grouping of cabinets surrounding an unused chimney. There are many family antiques in the house; the most notable is the English china cabinet in the dining room. The owner, an avid antique car collector and restorer, will have several cars on display. Ty and Anne Bland, owners.
Cawley House (215 Main St., West Point, 23181).
Cawley House (215 Main St., West Point, 23181)
The house, built in 1884 on one of the highest points in the historic district of West Point, was the perfect fit for the present owner who loves all things Victorian. The home has been restored with a lot of detail, including replicas of the old push-button light switches with a modern twist. The wallpaper was made by a small Wisconsin company that reproduced vintage rolls of paper. Dental instruments were used to clean about 20 coats of pink paint off a mantel. Most of the antique furniture has been purchased in Virginia. The kitchen and back porch have recently been upgraded. In 2017, the owners purchased the lot next door to create a Victorian garden to complement their backyard oasis. Mr. and Mrs. William Cawley, owners.
Brockwell House (115 Main St., West Point 23181).
Brockwell House (115 Main St., West Point 23181)
When walking up the flower-lined sidewalk onto the wrap-around porch, one can glimpse the gardens and hidden retreat surrounding the 1850s Victorian home. The thought and care that went into making this a family home, while attempting to honor each family who lived there, shows in every detail. They searched out trim to match the home’s original, had tiles made to match the ones that once surrounded the fireplace, spent three years looking for globes to fit a ceiling fixture, and personally hand painted all the exterior trim. The furniture is an eclectic mix from the mid-1800s to mid-century modern, from the simple to the glamorous, and from the clean lines of the 1960s to the highly decorative lines of an ornate gilt pier mirror. James and Debbie Brockwell, owners.
Diggs House (24 Lee St., West Point 23181).
Diggs House (24 Lee St., West Point 23181)
Built on the lot where he grew up, the contemporary house is the dream home the owner envisioned while erecting Lego block houses as a boy. Built in 2017, its exterior is strikingly different from those around it. Much thought went into reducing the family’s carbon footprint. The house is situated on the lot to enjoy the view of the York River just 100 feet from the back deck and pool. Tall glass windows not only provide panoramic river views but add to the industrial feel of its interior. The maple floors were reclaimed from the Dan River Mills and complement the exposed beams, ceiling, and ductwork. The walls are filled with original art from David Gill to James Ware, and include watercolors by the owner’s mother. Paul and Mary Diggs, owners.
Sandelin House (711 Lee St., West Point 23181).
Sandelin House (711 Lee St., West Point 23181)
The stately Victorian house with a carriage house was built on a foundation of oyster shells between 1901 and 1905. It was thoroughly modern in its day, with a built-in safe, gas ceiling fixtures operated by wall switches, and a floor button underneath the dining table to summon the next course. Sometime in the 1920s or 1930s, it became a funeral home. After the funeral home moved in the 1950s, several families have lived in the home. The present owners have brought new life to it. Clever use of re-purposed old furniture is found in many of the rooms along with PGA memorabilia, including a golf club owned by Bobby Jones. Gardens and raised beds for vegetables abound under stately trees, and the backyard art cottage is a retreat for their daughters. Jon and Cindy Sandelin, owners.
TOUR Information
Lunch: Local restaurants and fast food are available.
Attraction: A marketplace of regional vendors will be open during the tour at the Town Park on 8th St. between Kirby and Main streets. The market will feature jewelry, crafts, art and plants. This is a walking tour along sidewalks and open fields. Comfortable walking shoes (tennis shoes) are highly recommended, not only for your comfort but for safety as well.
Tickets: $25 in advance. $30 on the day of the tour. Tickets are available only at St. John’s Episcopal Church, tour headquarters, the day of the tour. All passes and E-tickets must also be redeemed for a ticket at headquarters. For more information, and to buy advance tickets, see the web site www.vagardenweek.org or call Kelly Gwathmey at (804) 769-2601.