This year’s house and garden tour on Friday, May 2, hosted by the Garden Club of the Middle Peninsula, will return to Middlesex County. The tour promises to be of interest to avid gardeners and history buffs alike, while providing a glimpse of waterfront living. Visitors will enjoy visiting six properties located along the Rappahannock and Piankatank rivers that represent the history, river culture, and beautiful gardens of Middlesex.
The properties collectively span four centuries. They offer formal and informal gardens, antiques, fine art and magnificent river views. This will be the only Friday tour in the area during the Garden Club of Virginia’s Historic Garden Week, April 26 through May 3.
“Our club members are excited to have the tour back in our county after being cancelled four years ago because of COVID-19,” remarked tour Co-Chairman Karen Bowman. The last tour in Middlesex was in 2016. The Garden Club of the Middle Peninsula tour rotates annually between the four member counties: Essex, Middlesex, King and Queen, and King William.
Four of the properties on the tour are in Deltaville. Cupalow (1273 North End Road) is an 1867 farmhouse surrounded by well-loved gardens on four acres that occupies a high vantage point over the river. This century-and-a-half old house, featuring two large porches, is constructed of rough sawed lumber lapped with large timbers. Ceilings are tongue and groove beadboard with center ornamentation. The owner’s love of gardening is apparent by the beautiful perennial beds that surround the house and offer views from every window. Chickens and beehives share the vast yard that has a lovely pool for hot summer days.
Sans Souci (630 Bland Point Road) is a two-story farmhouse built in 1840 with original pine plank flooring. Updated for modern living in 2000, two wings and a loggia were added connecting the original structure with the outside. The house showcases antiques revered and handed down for generations. It is the perfect setting for sailing and capturing beautiful views of both Moore’s Creek and the Piankatank River. Native plants and fruit trees provide an alluring entrance to the property while gracious magnolias hold court near the river.
Providence, Gardens and Dock Only (Two Bland Point Drive). Willow Oaks line the walkway and driveway to Providence, a house built in 1760 that has been lovingly restored and expanded by the current owners. Located on the Piankatank River, Providence sits on 15 acres of groomed woodlands and open fields. Visitors will be able to stroll through the extensive gardens and may visit a replica of an 18th century Chesapeake Bay cargo sloop, the Luna, which will be docked there with its crew.
Falling Tide (119 Falling Tide Road) is a two-story coastal home built in 2020 on a three-acre point that represents the essence of river living. Light, openness, graceful spaces, and river views greet the visitor at every turn. The house is filled with art and antiques with a chef’s kitchen and ample space for entertaining. The beautiful gardens on the river and around the house add a sense of tranquility to this unique property.
Two other properties included on the tour architecturally blend land and sea. Regent Cottage (3200 Regent Road, Topping) is a nautical craftsman-style house, lovingly planned and executed. The house sits on a hill overlooking Locklies Creek and the Rappahannock River graced with several mature deodar cedars.
The Corner (42 Mill Creek Road, Wake) is a lovely Dutch Colonial house, built by the owner’s family in 1978, which is surrounded by extensive gardens with an array of both sun and shade plants that can be seen from each vantage point in the house. An oysterman’s watch house that overlooks the dramatic outdoor space once presided over local oyster beds at Stingray Point. Beautiful water features provide a tranquil sound to the gardens and swimming pool.
Tour headquarters, located at Lower United Methodist Church at 120 Lower Church Road in Hartfield, is a colonial-era church that is also worth a visit. The original church dates back to 1650, with the current brick sanctuary dating to 1717. Tour Co-Chairman Karen Bowman notes that the church survived the Revolutionary War and is one of the few colonial churches available to tour.
For information about the Middle Peninsula tour and to purchase tickets, please visit middlepeninsula@vagardenweek.org. Tickets and information may also be found at www.vagardenweek.org.
Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 on the day of the tour. Box lunches, catered by Delta Pie, are available for $20. Orders must be placed by April 15 at www.lowerumc.org or by sending payment to Lower United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 98, Hartfield, VA 23071. Pre-paid lunches may be picked up at Lower United Methodist Church from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is a self-driving tour with parking available at each property.
The Garden Club of the Middle Peninsula is one of 48 clubs and 3,400 volunteers operating as part of the Garden Club of Virginia, a nonprofit organization. Proceeds from Historic Garden Week fund the restoration and preservation of Virginia’s historic public gardens and provide graduate level research fellowships. For those interested in visiting multiple tours and regions, a statewide pass is available that provides access to all of the properties by visiting www.vagardenweek.org.
