House and Garden 
sum for the time when it was carved. The pedi¬ 
ment and borders of the mantel are of very fine 
white marble, of exquisitely wrought design. The 
background of the mantel is of black veined marble, 
which forms a striking contrast to the white frame¬ 
work in which it is set. 
A very conspicuous object on the grounds sur¬ 
rounding the building is the splendid oak which 
stands in front of the main entrance near enough to 
afford shade to the building, but the tulip poplars 
about the lawn are also Nature’s contribution to the 
century ago, are in such condition that they have 
needed little or no repair. The statuary with which 
the grounds were adorned was supported by strong 
capped buttresses some of which are still to be seen. 
The estate, however, passed through several wars, 
the Civil War being waged in this part of Virginia 
with great destruction to its property. On several 
occasions soldiers camped at “ Westover” and the left 
corridor and wing were destroyed during the sixties. 
Fortunately, the balance of the buildings was left 
intact. But the history of “Westover” dates away 
THE MAIN HALL 
back to the time when hostile Indians descended upon 
it in the seventeenth century and massacred no less 
than thirty-three of the white people who were upon 
the estate. 
Running here and there beneath the even sod of the 
lawn are underground passages, all of them large 
enough to admit a man and some are lined with ma¬ 
sonry. When and why these were built has been a 
subject for discussion among investigators, but a 
passage in the history of Virginia refers to places 
made for concealment from enemies. It is believed 
that some of these passages were built for a refuge 
landscape which should not be omitted in such a 
description. Even when merely in leaf they are 
beautiful, but when in flower their beauty is almost 
indescribable. The extensive lawn in front of the 
house is of proportions in keeping with the size of the 
building itself. Fortunately, the estate has fallen into 
hands that have carefully preserved, as far as possible, 
its natural surroundings and the lawn is kept in as 
good condition as when it was the pride of its owner. 
Sloping down to the water’s edge, it is protected 
from the encroachment of the river by massive walls 
of masonry which, although they were built over a 
232 
