The 2022 edition of the annual Gloucester-Mathews Historic Garden Week House and Garden Tour is set for two sessions on Saturday, April 23. The morning session runs 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and the afternoon session runs 1:30-5:30 p.m.
All details are available at www.vagardenweek.org/tours/gloucester/.
The stops on this year’s Mathews-focused tour include Eastham, Riverlawn, Samarkand and The Cottage. Mathews is nestled along the East River leading to the Mobjack and Chesapeake bays. It was voted one of the “Coolest Small Towns in America” due to its quaint, historic downtown that offers shopping, dining, art galleries and charming B&Bs.
Reflecting this maritime heritage, all the homes on tour are situated on the pristine waters of the East River. Visitors will tour four historic properties near each other and downtown, including an elegant home surrounded by expansive gardens built by a shellfish tycoon and classic 19th century sea captains’ homes.
SAMARKAND
Open for the first time, Samarkand embraces 26 bucolic acres on Woodas Creek, an estuary of the East River. Visitors will find beauty throughout from the winding allée of crepe myrtles that frame the driveway to mature gardens containing an extensive collection of specimen trees, camellias, boxwood, and perennials. The three-story Federal-style home was built in 1927. Its classically elegant interior with marble foyer, raised-panel wainscoting, and coffered ceilings is the perfect backdrop for an eclectic art collection.
EASTHAM
Eastham was once known as Nottingham House and stood in the middle of Mathews village. It’s now nestled among pines, giant magnolias, and great oaks along the East River. The house is a three-story, two-over-two Greek revival-style frame house from approximately 1825. It has heart pine floors throughout, many still showing the careful numbering necessary for proper reconstruction at the new site. All rooms have river views. The current owners added a pool and pool house and have mixed old and reproduction furniture with current artwork for a breezy up-to-date style throughout.
RIVERLAWN
Open for the first time, Riverlawn is a classic white frame home on 25 acres along the East River. It was built in 1874, is on the National Register of Historic Places, and has undergone an impressive restoration starting in 2012. The interior is a four-over-four central hall plan repeated on three floors, with a staircase that provides formal access to all levels. A lovely side porch takes in sweeping views of the river. The extensive art collection focuses on water-related and rural themes.
THE COTTAGE
Open for the first time, The Cottage was built circa 1931 and was raised and completely remodeled in 2017 with views of the East River from every window. The house has an open feeling, and with its neutral color-scheme, gives a sunny, minimalist vibe which sets off the artwork beautifully. The dining room still has its original stained glass in the windows and a welcoming porch runs the whole width of the house on the river side.
Tour headquarters
Christ Episcopal Church at 320 Williams Wharf Road in Mathews will serve as the tour headquarters. Docent-led tours of the church will be offered from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and there will be an organ concert between noon and 1 p.m. Tickets and maps will be available on tour day.
Lunch
Pre-order $15 box lunches from Nuttall’s Country Store before Friday, April 15, by calling 804-693-3067 or emailing nuttallstore@gmail.com. Pick-up at Williams Wharf Landing 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pavilion seating and parking available. There will also be a food truck available at Brent and Becky’s Bulbs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tickets
Tickets are $45 per person. Two-hundred tickets will be sold online for each of the morning and afternoon tours at VAGardenWeek.org. The tour is expected to sell out. Any remaining tickets will be available day of tour at the headquarters. Tickets not available at homes.
Parking & Shuttles
Free parking is available at Samarkand, Riverlawn, The Cottage and Eastham and are located within five minutes of each other via shuttles. Free parking is available at the shuttle lot, which is located across from headquarters at 320 Williams Wharf Road. Shuttles begin and end at the shuttle lot with the last shuttle pick up at 5 p.m.
Special Activities
Bay School Community Arts Center on Main Street, Mathews, will host several artists painting flower arrangements inside and outside of the gallery; a free creative flower art activity for children; and “An Artist’s Journey,” a yearly show that focuses on a student artist.
A complimentary walking tour of Mathews charming downtown area will leave from the Mathews County Visitors Center, 239 Main St., at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tours are approximately 30 minutes.
Arts on Main, 6580 Main St., Gloucester, will be hosting an April display of special artists. Please visit gloucesterarts.org for the most current description.
Master Gardeners of Gloucester will be available for guided tours of Brent and Becky’s Bulbs Chesapeake Bay-friendly gardens from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Brent and Becky’s is at 7900 Daffodil Lane in Gloucester. Its phone number is 804-693-3996 and its email is brentandbeckysbulbs.com.
King and Queen County also has homes tour
BROOKSHIRE
Brookshire is one of the five homes in the Garden Club of the Middle Peninsula King and Queen County’s Buena Vista District tour, which is returning after a two-year COVID-19-related hiatus. Located at 380 Dudley Ferry Road in Mattaponi, along the Mattaponi River, Brookshire is at the site of the 17th century Dudley’s Ferry. The tour features morning and afternoon tours on Friday, April 29. Its homes are in settings of towering shade trees and three offer sweeping river views of the York or Mattaponi rivers. Advance tickets are $35 and are available online at www.vagardenweek.org. No day-of-tour tickets are offered. The website also has info on the other tour stops and additional information.
