83rd Annual Alexandria Historic Home + Garden Tour Saturday

PHOTO: The Anne Spencer garden in Lynchburg, Va. Photo courtesy of Roger Foley

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ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Tickets for the Garden Club of Virginia’s annual Historic Garden Week are on sale and include a tour of City of Alexandria gardens on Saturday, April 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Here's a description of the Alexandria tour from Visit Alexandria's Web site:

Overlooking the Potomac River and within view of our Nation’s Capital, Alexandria was established in 1749. A major seaport and thriving town prior to the Revolutionary War and an occupied city by Union troops during the Civil War to a major torpedo production site during World War II, Alexandria is full of living history. In 1946, it was the third city in the country to create a historic district to preserve the downtown and today has 4,000 buildings with this designation.

Tour includes five homes and gardens in the historic district and refreshments at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Boutique shopping and fine dining are just steps away. Be sure to stop by the Marketplace at the Athenaeum at 201 Prince Street. Ticket price also includes admission to these nearby sites, making for a full day of touring: The Carlyle House Historic Park, Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden, George Mason’s Gunston Hall and George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens. Advance ticket price: $40; Day of tour $45

Also coming up May 7: Del Ray House and Garden Tour

For eight days every spring, visitors are welcomed to nearly 200 of Virginia’s most picturesque gardens and private homes showcased in 30 tours during “America’s Largest Open House.” For more than 80 years, Historic Garden Week has been sponsored by the Garden Club of Virginia. Visit Virginia Garden Week for a complete schedule, to purchase tickets, and for details regarding itineraries and special activities.

The Alexandria tour includes five homes (four on S. Fairfax Street and one on Prince Street) and gardens in the historic district and refreshments at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

• A Marketplace will also be part of the day, at the Athenaeum at 201 Prince St., featuring handpicked purveyors selling beautiful and unique items. New this year: Refreshments from the Swiss Bakery for sale throughout the day as well as free flower crafts at the Mobile Art Lab. 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• From 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., plan to stop by the Annual Garden Day Herb and Craft Sale at The Carlyle House, 121 North Fairfax Street. Enjoy your visit to this 18th century mansion built by John Carlyle in 1753. Stroll through the gardens and browse through the herb and craft sale on the front lawn. Wares sold by local artisans and crafters, performances by area musicians throughout the day, and gardening experts on hand to offer advice. Proceeds benefit Carlyle House’s collections and Garden Guild.

Ticket price also includes admission to these nearby sites, making for a full day of touring: The Carlyle House Historic Park, Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden, George Mason’s Gunston Hall and George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens.

The tour is hosted by the Hunting Creek Garden Club and The Garden Club of Alexandria. Advance ticket price is $40 and can be purchased online or at the Alexandria Visitors Center, 221 King St.; day of tour ticket price is $45. Find more information here about tickets for the Alexandria tour as well as tickets for other tours across Virginia.

See a calendar of all Garden Week activities across Virginia here.