The Garden Club of the Northern Neck will host an Historic Garden Week tour from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, April 30. This tour on the Crab Point Peninsula, along the Rappahannock River in Lancaster County, will offer a glimpse into the region’s rich historical heritage and distinctive architecture.
Four breathtaking waterfront homes and one garden will be open for this walking/shuttle tour along Crab Point, just outside the White Stone.
Historic Garden Week is an annual fundraising event of the Garden Club of Virginia in association with affiliated clubs statewide.
Pop Castle
Pop Castle will offer visitors an evocative journey with glimpses into early Virginia and the present in a setting of timeless elegance. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and as a Virginia Historic Landmark, the home sits on 12 acres along the river. Built in 1855, the Greek Revival and Italianate residence reflects the architecture of prosperous farmers of the era. The property’s roots go back to a 1702 ferry stop, and its history includes a British raid during the War of 1812 and damage from Civil War cannon fire.
Today the home interior showcases an international collection of antiques and folk art. The surrounding gardens feature majestic magnolias, camellias and ancient southern red oaks. Paths winding through the property invite views of the water and numerous historic outbuildings original to the site. Virginia and Walid Ramadan, owners
Camp
This property offers a combination of privacy, luxury and natural splendor all within a short distance of the river. Initially built in 1985 and fully renovated in 2022, the property boasts a seamless fusion of modern design and a tranquil setting with breathtaking river views.
Approaching the residence, visitors will pass through 13 acres of pines, maples and magnolias with splashes of color provided by azaleas and viburnums. The home, cantilevered over a serene pond which runs the length of the property, makes a a true architectural statement. Surrounding the home is a stunning combination of plantings, cannas, elephant ears, daylilies, Becky daisies, roses, yucca, rosemary, allium, daffodils and tulips. Adrianne and Tripp Bugg, owners
Le Chateau
This French Country-style home was constructed in 1994 by the homebuilder for his French bride. The five-bedroom house also features the Rappahannock Room with a soaring mahogany cathedral ceiling. The ornate plaster moldings and four distinctive hand carved fireplaces were created by artisans brought from Europe by the original owner.
The current owners recently embarked on a renovation to bring the house interiors up to date while retaining many of its original artisanal details. The six-acre property includes 252 feet of riverfront accessed by a sycamore-lined driveway. The front yard’s sweetgum, pine, holly and dogwood trees create a shady park-like setting. The waterfront side of the property features a wide lawn sloping gently to the water. Amy and John Harris, owners
Foxwoods (garden only)
Approaching this stunning 10-acre property, visitors will be welcomed by rows of trees, a manicured game lawn and a gatehouse surrounded by embankments of astilbe, butterfly bushes and peonies. The grounds are organized into four sections, starting with a shaded area featuring magnolias, ogon grass and daffodils. The woods to the left feature a scenic woodland trail that extends to the river.
The main house, inspired by the Georgian architecture of Williamsburg, sits among boxwoods, butterfly bushes, fig trees, climbing hydrangeas, antique Italian urns and a bronze fountain. To the right of the house, beds of camellias and daisies, boxwoods, gardenias and irises guide the way to a riverfront patio where stone steps lead to a dock. Kian Kaz and Don Brown, owners
Crab Point
With stunning sunrises over Carter Creek and sunsets over the river, Crab Point perfectly captures riverfront living. Originally called Francis Point, this seven-acre property was first developed in the 1800s by a Baltimore hat maker who built a Dutch Colonial-style house as a summer retreat. The original structure, featured in the 1968 Historic Garden Tour, eventually fell into disrepair and was replaced in 2018 by a Virginia coastal-style residence that captivates boats entering the creek.
Crab Point’s gardens are vibrant year-round, reaching peak beauty in spring. Towering cedars, magnolias and pecan trees provide a lush framework, while viburnum, spirea, azaleas, forsythia, camellias and roses add color to the landscape. The pool sits amidst a backdrop of pink phlox, Olivia roses, butterfly bushes and grasses. Susan and Michael Tempest, owners
Tour information
Tour headquarters and check-in: Mount Vernon Baptist Church, 269 James Wharf Road, White Stone. Wristbands will be issued to all ticket holders.
Tickets: $50 each in advance at vagardenweek.org for timed entry: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 1 p.m.-4 p.m. $60 on tour day at headquarters and online for timed entry.
Restrooms: tour headquarters, Le Chateau and Crab Point.
Parking and shuttle information: Parking available only at headquarters. Shuttles run continuously. Tour properties require walking and have uneven ground. Walking shoes are highly recommended. Curbside drop-off and wheelchair accessibility are not available.
Lunch: restaurants in White Stone, Irvington and Kilmarnock
Refreshments: tour headquarters from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Special activities: Bartlett Tree Experts will answer questions and give away tree saplings at headquarters.
Places of interest: Historic Christ Church & Museum, 420 Christ Church Road, Weems. The Garden Club of Virginia participated in the renovation of the church grounds. Entrance is free with wristbands.
The Tides Inn Shoreline Restoration Project. A $3.6 million shoreline restoration project features a Shoreline Trail along Carter Creek with an oyster reef and wetland grasses which provide habitat for aquatic life.
