Historic Gardens of Virginia 



three hundred feet long, parallel to the lawn, and three lateral walks, 

 ending in a wide terrace. Mr. Bernard is said to have brought 

 shiploads of gravel from Bermuda for these walks, as well as conch 

 shells for the fountains. The walks were bordered with shrubs— 

 pyrus japonica, forsythia, spiraea in all varieties, lilac, snowball, 

 weigela, althea, syringa, mock orange and others. These were 

 trimmed to form arches over the paths. Between the walks were 

 formal gardens laid out in the shape of diamonds and filled with 

 many old-fashioned flowers. Peonies seem to have been the favorite 

 centerpiece. On either side of this flower garden, separated by 

 walks, were two large squares devoted to small fruits and vege- 

 tables. A hedge, formerly of roses but now of althea, encloses 

 the whole garden. 



In addition to the lawns and garden, a large part of the estate 

 of Gay Mont was given over to what might be called pleasure 

 grounds. On the north side of the hill was a deer park of eight 

 acres, with clumps of beautiful holly and enormous tulip poplars. 

 Mr. Bernard had a great love for trees and imported many kinds, 

 not only for the immediate grounds but also for the hillsides. Some 

 years ago fifty varieties were counted within a comparatively short 

 distance of the house, among them a variety of French chestnut, still 

 vigorous and bearing nuts. 



To the south of the hill ran "Golden Vale Creek," the name 

 given it on an old atlas printed before Washington was founded. 

 Its waters were dammed to form a pond, and stocked with fish. 

 Here Mr. Bernard loved to entertain his friends, and it was no 

 doubt, the scene of many gay parties. A large, round stone table, 

 and a spring enclosed by stone slabs are all that now remain to 

 mark the spot. 



As horseback riding was the favorite pastime of Mr. Bernard's 

 daughters, he built for them a private road through the woods and 

 "the long meadow." This road crossed a small creek seven or 

 eight times by rustic bridges; the upkeep of both road and bridges 

 was given over to "Uncle Roly," a faithful slave. "Uncle Roly" 



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