Historic Gardens of Virginia 



oil painting above the fireplace is a portrait of Robert Wilson, the 

 builder of the present home, and it is interesting to know that this 

 portrait was painted in the very room in which it hangs. The 

 antique porcelain jars on either end of the mantel complete the 

 picture. 



The house is surrounded by extensive lawns and terraced 

 gardens, covering about three acres, which extend to the river. 

 The walks are bordered by wonderful old boxwood hedges which 

 were planted when the house was built. In the gardens are some 

 very rare old bulbs, put there when the gardens were originally 

 laid out, and which the Department of Agriculture at Washington 

 listed some time ago as practically extinct. 



At the intersection of four walks stands an octagonal summer- 

 house, with massive brick columns, in a perfect state of preservation, 

 having already withstood the storms of nearly a hundred years — 

 a delightful spot, overlooking the river, to sit and muse on the 

 romances of the crinoline days. Near the summer-house is the 

 old flower-house, known in former days as the greenhouse, where 

 rare and beautiful flowers bloomed the entire winter. 



On the hills and fields surrounding the house is a beautiful 

 growth known as Scotch broom, which in the late spring is covered 

 with a golden bloom. There is an interesting old legend about this 

 plant. It is said that the seed were brought to this country by the 

 English during the Revolutionary War in the feed for their horses, 

 and that wherever they camped, this Scotch broom sprung up after 

 they moved on. 



On this estate is also a very fine mineral spring — the water 

 having been analyzed some years ago and found to contain medi- 

 cinal qualities rivaling some of the springs of the most famous 

 health resorts. 



All in all, Dan's Hill is a charming home, combining the dignity 

 of Colonial days with every comfort of the most modern establish- 

 ment, and where true Southern hospitality is graciously dispensed 

 by Robert Wilson James and his lovely wife. 



r ^^1 Mrs. Rorer James. 



