Foreword 



A large part of this material has never before been made public. 

 Many of the illustrations are entirely original and were made 

 expressly for this book and all but four of the garden plans were 

 drawn especially for it. 



But the book makes no claim for literary merit. With the ex- 

 ception of the introduction, it is altogether the work of amateurs. 

 Nor does it profess to tell all about Virginia's old gardens. It does 

 not undertake to tabulate all their beauties and recite everything 

 for which they are famed. It tells but little of the celebrated men 

 and women who have trod their paths, for throughout the aim has 

 been for historic accuracy rather than romantic interest or literary 

 value. 



The editor would record her grateful appreciation of the work 

 of the Historic Garden Committee and all those who so kindly 

 aided in the research. She acknowledges particularly the courtesy 

 of the garden owners, the kindness of those who lent paintings, 

 prints or photographs for reproduction and all who, personally, 

 drew or had drawn, the plans which lend such interest and value 

 to the book. Great thanks are due to Mr. William G. Stanard 

 and Mr. Robert A. Lancaster, Jr., authorities on Virginia history. 



It has been with a desire of lifting the latch of some of the old 

 gates and, through the courtesy of their owners. Inviting the reader 

 to enter the gardens that the James River Garden Club has under- 

 taken, before it is too late, to "gather up the fragments that re- 

 main." 



Edith Dabney Tunis Sale. 



Tuckahoe, Virginia. 



March, 1923. 



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