Historic Gardens of Virginia 



used in Indian days. It also has its secret room, the entrance to 

 which was discovered during the War Between the States by a 

 party of Federal soldiers. In this room the soldiers found a score 

 or more half-gallon bottles of old brandy. To this day, one 

 of these curious old decanters remains intact, and is highly prized 

 by a family of Petersburg, Virginia. Cut deeply into the bottle 

 is the name of William Allen, and the year 1753. 



Each President of the United States prior to the time of the War 

 Between the States is said to have been a guest at the old Allen 

 house, and Edgar Allan Poe, whom tradition claims as a frequent 

 visitor, is believed to have found inspiration for some of his beauti- 

 ful poems while wandering in the historic gardens of old Claremont. 

 The Manor stands in a park of ten acres, where one sees an 

 intermingling of beauty and age. The lofty and aged oaks, the 

 glorious crepe myrtles, and the wide spreading boxwood hedges 

 testify to a growth of centuries. The driveway approach to the 

 old home, after passing between the huge, moss-covered gate piers, 

 swings around in curve after curve in a friendly way. Converging 

 from this driveway are the avenues of lindens and cedars. 



Beauty in the park and its gardens was a tradition. Among 

 the members of the Allen family, who continued to interest them- 

 selves in adding to the attractiveness of the grounds, were Arthur 

 Allen, who, in 1688, became Speaker of the House of Burgesses; 

 Colonel William Allen, who, one hundred years later, was a member 

 of the convention of 1788; and his son. Colonel William Allen, 

 Junior, who was a colonel in the War of 18 12. Generation after 

 generation, during two centuries and a quarter, continued the work 

 thus early begun. Rare trees from foreign countries were later 

 brought to Claremont. Today artistic groupings are seen, and 

 charming color schemes changing with the seasons, but everywhere 

 there is a quiet dignity and a gentle elegance. 



The river approach to this old Queen Anne dwelling is by way 

 of a wide avenue of linden trees, which extends from the river 

 terrace to the driveway at the foot of the steep terrace upon which 



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