Garden Club of the Middle Peninsula
Tappahannock and Upper Essex County
Friday, April 26, 2024 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Travel along the shores of the Rappahannock River as you visit historic Tappahannock and the pastoral northern part of Essex County. The five spectacular properties open for the tour represent the best of Tidewater architecture built over the past 250 years. Trace John Smith’s voyage up the Rappahannock and visit one of the only surviving wharfs on the river, stroll along historic streets dating back to the 1600s, tour the Essex County Museum, stop by 1710 Tavern, and enjoy plein air artists, who will be painting at one of the homes.
LITTLE EGYPT
515 Faulconer Circle, Tappahannock
Two-hundred-year-old cedar trees, gracefully planned gardens, and mature shrubbery make this three-acre property a place of serenity and beauty. Little Egypt, which may have served as a tavern at one point in its history, was built in the 1750s and expanded in the 1770s. It was saved from ruin in the late 1980s, and the current owners redesigned the barn on the property to create a library with soaring shelving, hand wrought ironwork, and thousands of books. They have filled their home with beautiful paintings and interesting furniture, all blending seamlessly into the colonial fabric of the house. The entire property will be open for strolling and enjoying the gardens. Wes Pippenger and David Henderson, owners.
Thornbury
THORNBURY
653 North Church Lane, Tappahannock
Open for the first-time during Garden Week, Thornbury is a stately two-story Greek Revival home built between 1915 and 1920 that is surrounded by a broad, green expanse of lawn, overlooking the Rappahannock. It was named in honor of Thornbury, England, the hometown of the first owner’s mother. Visitors will be struck by Thornbury’s expansive entrance, antiques, and Chinoiserie wall panels. A hand-painted ceiling in the sunporch has a treasured family pet painted in the clouds that can be discovered if you look closely enough. The two-story columned porch at the back of the house provides a lovely spot to view the river. Joe and Patricia Gallagher, owners.
Essex House
ROANE-WRIGHT-TRIBLE HOUSE
now the ESSEX INN 203 Duke Street, Tappahannock
This imposing brick, Georgian mansion in the heart of historic Tappahannock was built in 1850 by the Roane family. Today, the property operates as the Essex Inn, serving the Tidewater area as a bed and breakfast and event venue. The house has 12 original rooms, each with its own fireplace. The property sits surrounded by enormous crepe myrtles and century- old boxwoods and includes a lovely patio. A two-story brick structure sits behind the main house and served as the original kitchen, laundry, as well as quarters for servants. Across the street, visit the recently restored 1710 Tavern, Virginia’s oldest tavern that now operates as a fine dining restaurant. Greg and Jennifer Huff, owners.
Wheatland
WHEATLAND
1154 Wheatland Road, Loretto
Sitting on lush farmland overlooking a deep bend in the Rappahannock River is Wheatland, built in 1848 by an ancestor of the current owners. The home has changed very little in 175 years, and houses original furniture, books, and oil portraits. The lovely drive onto the property brings you into a lush setting of ancient pecan and poplar trees. A stately English boxwood allée leads down to the river’s edge, where a historic steamboat wharf still stands. It was originally constructed in the 1890s to handle river traffic, rebuilt in 1916 after a fire, and is the only steamboat wharf still in existence in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. A beautiful flower garden, an old smokehouse, and kitchen complete the scene. Peter and Susan Bance and Teddy Bance owners.
Mountcastle House
MOUNTCASTLE HOUSE
829 Brooks Bank Road, Loretto
Open for the first-time during Garden Week, this modern farmhouse, completed in 2022 as a vacation home, sits high above the Rappahannock River. Over 100 works of art are found throughout the home and include pieces by nationally recognized and local artists in styles ranging from traditional landscape, contemporary, to abstract. Furnishings include contemporary pieces, as well as many early American antiques and old-world architectural fragments converted into new uses. The day of the tour, plein air painters will be on site capturing the natural beauty of the setting on canvas. Ken and Lisa Mountcastle, owners.
TOUR INFORMATION:
Tickets: $35 pp online in advance at VaGardenWeek.org. Internet access may be spotty; be prepared to show a printed or mobile version of your online ticket to receive a wristband.
On day of tour, $45 pp sold at all locations, including 1710 Tavern at 314 South Water Lane in Tappahannock (check and cash only except at 1710 Tavern that will accept credit card payments). Visitors can begin their tour at any of the properties.
Lunch: Pre-ordered boxed lunches available at the 1710 Tavern, 314 S. Water Lane, Tappahannock. Order in advance by April 15, 2024 at www.1710tavern.com/general-7. Pick up 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM.
Parking and Shuttles:
Street parking available for Little Egypt, 1710 Tavern, and the Essex Inn. Parking on site for all other locations.