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Step into the Gardens at Chippokes During Historic Garden Week
Shared by Megan Gray, as Guest Blogger.
Each spring visitors are welcomed to over 250 of Virginia's most beautiful gardens, homes, and historic landmarks during Historic Garden Week which has been called "America's Largest Open House."
This special 8 day statewide event provides visitors a unique opportunity to view the gardens at the peak of Virginia's springtime color.
In honor of Historic Garden Week in Virginia, from April 21 through April 28, 2018 Chippokes State Park’s lovely gardens will be open to the public daily from dusk till dawn. Don't miss this unforgettable special event.
ABOUT
Chippokes State Park has been a working farm since 1619. The plants that were grown on the property have changed with the times. From early colonial staples like tobacco and corn, to the antebellum peach orchards of former owner Albert Carroll Jones.
Today local farmers still grow corn and other crops on the property while bees and butterflies delight in the park’s pollinator gardens. The newly planted cultural garden at the Farm and Forestry Museum will showcase these 400 years of agricultural history. One garden of particular note is the Paradise Garden which surrounds the antebellum Jones-Stewart Mansion.
The Paradise Garden was planted in the early 1900s by former owner Evelyn Stewart. She loved her garden so much that she dubbed them Paradise, expanded it to its current 6 acres, and eventually chose to be buried there. In this formal garden she planted box woods and crepe myrtle. In the spring and summer the gardens become a blaze of color with an abundance of iris, daffodils, and crocus. Historic Garden Week is an excellent time to experience Paradise Garden.
While checking out the beautiful gardens, don't miss a tour of the Stewart-Jones Mansion
The antebellum Jones-Stewart Mansion will be open for tours from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on April 21 and 22. The mansion will then be open every day during Garden Week from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. April 23 to April 28, 2018. The last tour of starts at 4:00 p.m. each day.
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
On April 21 and 22 from 10:00 am-4:00 pm there will be an interpreter in the Mansion’s Brick Kitchen. Guests can discover how much work went into preparing a meal and running a plantation in the 1800s.
Historic Garden Week will culminate on April 28, 2018 with an old-fashioned Elegant Tea in the garden, run by the Friends of Chippokes from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
To learn more about the special programs going on during Historic Garden Week click here, or contact the park at (757) 294-3728 or visit our website here.
Chippokes State Park is located in Surry Virginia, click here for driving directions.
PUT THIS BEAUTIFUL EVENT ON YOUR CALENDAR TODAY
If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov.