Virginia Executive Mansion: Gardens, greenhouse tour offered one day a year for free

RICHMOND — In celebration of the 90th Historic Garden Week, the public is invited to the Executive Mansion this Friday to take a tour organized by the Garden Club of Virginia [GCV].

"This is a truncated version of our regular tour," Rosa Woodring, Assistant Director of Virginia’s Executive Mansion, said. "Tours of the garden and greenhouse are only offered once a year, during Historic Garden Week. The Gillette Garden will look as beautiful as it will the entire year."

The designs throughout the mansion will be made by members of Virginia garden clubs. The fresh cut flowers will be harvested from all around Capitol Square. The tour on April 21 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. does not require tickets or reservations.

"I had the pleasure to tour the newly renovated Gillette Garden last year," Virginia Senator Amanda Chase said. "It's absolutely beautiful."

The Virginia Executive Mansion has been home to Virginia's governors since 1813. It is the oldest occupied governor's residence in the U.S. still used for its original purpose. It is both a Virginia and a National Historic Landmark. Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin are the 57th residents of the mansion.

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According to the GCV's Historic Garden Week 2023 guidebook, the mansion, a classic example of Federal-style architecture, was designed by Boston architect Alexander Parris. In 2022, First Lady Youngkin originated “The Art Experience” at the mansion, a changing exhibit of artwork from museums around Virginia highlighting the varied landscapes, themes and people of the Commonwealth.

Outside the house, the historic Gillette Garden is a spot not to be missed. In the 1950s, First Lady Anne Bassett Stanley employed Charles Gillette to design and install a formal garden suitable for entertaining on the south side of the mansion. This restoration project of the GCV was funded with proceeds from Historic Garden Week tours.

In 2016, the Valentine-Jackson Memorial Garden was established and dedicated to several enslaved families who worked at the mansion in the 1800s. The GCV also worked collaboratively on this effort. First Lady Youngkin is currently leading a project to open the entrance to this garden so it can be shared with mansion visitors.

On Tuesday, April 18, First Lady Youngkin spoke on "Strengthening the Spirit of Virginia's Women and Girls" at the Flowerdew Pavilion at Flowerdew Hundred on the Petersburg-Prince George tour. Virginia Garden Week began Saturday, April 15 and continues through Saturday, April 22.

"Happy Birthday to Virginia's Historic Garden Week — 90 years. What an incredible accomplishment that we are all here celebrating together. We know that that was born out of the love of God's creation, and it continues to steward our Mother Earth," First Lady Youngkin said. "Visit the Executive Mansion this Friday to see what's blooming in Capitol Square."

The Virginia Executive Mansion is located at 1111 East Broad Street in Richmond. Visit executivemansion.virginia.gov and vagardenweek.org for more information. Email questions to info@vagardenweek.org.

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This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Richmond: Executive Mansion tour, gardens/greenhouse open once a year