Friday, May 13, 2016

Membership Has Its Privileges

On Saturday, May 21, at 1:00 pm, we will host the members of the Stafford County Historical Society to tour our home and garden.  Most other Society events are open to the public, but this one is exclusively for current society members.  As the title of this post says, membership has its privileges.



Here is the blurb from the event invitation:  


Hartwood Manor, known as "The Old Foote Place" until the 1950s, was built in 1848 by Ariel and Julia Foote, on property that was originally 1150 acres.  The Footes built their home in Gothic Revival style, which was much more common in their native Connecticut and unusual for Virginia.  The Hilkers bought the property in 2002, and they have been restoring and renovating the house, barn, outbuildings, and grounds ... and creating gardens.  Gardens on the nine-acre property contain Connie's collection of over 500 roses, many of which are rare and endangered.  The roses are expected to be at or approaching full bloom on the day of our visit.

The cool, rainy weather that we have had for the past two weeks has set the timing of the roses back a bit ... which has turned out to be a good thing.  I expect that the roses will show very well for this tour, and for the annual public Open Garden Day on May 30.

I'm not stressing about this, believe it or not, but there's a lot to get done in the time between now and tour day.  Inside the house, I'm tidying and staging, and outside I'm doing what I can to whip the gardens into shape ... whenever the weather allows me time to do so.

I know that some of you are asking, "What can a person do if they aren't a Society member, but are local and want to come tour the house and garden on May 21?"  That's easy!  Click HERE  and to go to the membership page on the SCHS web site, scroll to the bottom of the page, download the membership form, and bring it and a check along with you on tour day,  We will gladly accept it when you arrive.  (If you have questions, email me:  connie@hartwoodroses.com)

9 comments:

  1. I'd like to have a house that was tour worthy... or even visitor worthy!

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    1. It's hard for me to think of this place in those terms, since it's just 'home' to us. There's a lot of history here, and I really enjoy sharing it and telling the stories.

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  2. How wonderful to be able to have the "membership privilege" to tour your home and gardens! I've no doubt it will go well, and will be thoroughly enjoyed!

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    1. The Stafford County Historical Society is an awesome organization, with a membership of friendly, helpful, knowledgeable people. I am humbled to serve on their Board with individuals who are teaching me so much about this place where I now call home.

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  3. If I lived anywhere close, I'd be standing there will a form and a check in hand!
    :D :D :D
    xo

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    Replies
    1. If you lived closer, you'd be here helping me with this. :)

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  4. I like the first post of Ms. A, I am so with her. I would love to see the rose gardens. I live in Ashland and love touring the homes and gardens of the historical homes in the town. Maybe I will be able to come. 500 roses! wow , what a show they must put one.
    betsy

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    1. Hi, Betsy! It’s great to hear from a ‘neighbor’!! We welcome you to join the historical society and come to their event on Saturday. An alternate plan would be for you to wait till Memorial Day and come to my annual public Open Garden Day, which is a much less structured affair … come as you want, wander, chat. Either way, I would LOVE for you come up to meet the roses.

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  5. Wish I could come. I am looking forward to the first blooms on the Banshee rose I got from you last year. The Indica Major has beautiful growth but no blooms yet. The "free" Dr. Huey is covered in bloom too. :) Hope all goes well!

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