Historic Gardens of Virginia 



hydrangea otaksa huddling against the steps which lead to the 

 serpentine brick walk. 



Many and pleasing pictures have come down to us in the tradi- 

 tions of this old place. As court days, races, social or business 

 appointments took the people along the saffron-colored road up 

 and down the country, they found few inns. Instead of a tavern 

 in this locality, hospitality was always sought, and found, beneath 

 the spreading roof and ever-open doors at Elk Hill. The spirit 

 of welcome has always stood at the gate here to lay hands upon 

 the passing stranger and draw him Into the green-shuttered house. 

 This has been noteworthy even in a State renowned for good cheer 

 and social graces. Neighbors, friends and strangers have always 

 found a royal welcome in this fine old Virginia home. 



The interior of the house, with its paneled door casements 

 and wainscoat moulding carved in a design of classic detail; the 

 pure Grecian carving in the drawing-room showing the egg and 

 dart motif, and the remarkably high-pitched ceilings, place the 

 building among the best of its type in the country. A large living- 

 room occupies the width and depth of the house on the south end 

 at the rear of the entrance hall. Here the most interesting object 

 is the mantel of Pavanazzo marble. Most of the doors are opened 

 by silver knobs; slat inner doors, that Interesting detail of the best 

 Southern houses of the early period, lend coolness in the summer 

 and ventilation all the year. The first-floor halls and rooms are 

 lighted by beautiful chandeliers of bronze which once hung in a 

 famous old house in Richmond. 



The lawn is studded with many elm trees. These, In May, look 

 as if some fairy had touched their brown branches with a shimmer 

 of green and gold. Other trees are here, too — birch, poplar and 

 ash, chestnut, pecan and mahogany. Beneath the shade of one of 

 the poplars — which boasts a circumference of twenty-one feet — Gen- 

 eral LaFayette Is said to have made his camp. 



■ Scattered In clumps about the broad lawn, between skyward- 



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