“ Westover” 
It was one of the first estates in America to be adorned 
with statuary. Having a fondness for flowers and 
the means to gratify it, the owner of “Westover” 
had elaborate conservatories, traces of which are 
still to be seen. He built drives and walks both from 
the interior highways and from the river, marking the 
entrance to the grounds with ornamental gates 
such as we have mentioned. His ideas were far 
broader than those of the usual country gentleman, 
but that he was very practical in his views was shown 
by his success in the various branches of agriculture, 
since his fields formed an object-lesson to the settlers 
of the country round about. 
It is also interesting to recall that he really founded 
the cities of Richmond and Petersburg, selecting 
these sites in the belief that they were the proper 
locations for important communities. 
The pathetic romance of “Westover” through the 
life and death of the beautiful Evelyn Byrd, one of 
the owner’s daughters, is familiar to readers of 
history. But her father’s plans for making the old 
mansion an ideal home from the standpoint of art and 
beauty as well as in other respects, undoubtedly had 
her cordial assistance. Educated also in England, 
where she acquired all of the accomplishments of the 
polished gentlewoman, her taste and ideas were dis¬ 
played in various ways both in and out of the 
house. 
Consequently, the tombs of the master of “West- 
over” and his favorite daughter, which are located 
but a short distance from the house, form objects of 
melancholy interest to the visitor. It may be added 
that five years after Colonel Byrd’s death the house 
was partly destroyed by fire, but was at once rebuilt 
according to the original design and of the same 
proportions, so that the “Westover” house of to-day 
is but little changed in appearance since the eight¬ 
eenth century. Until 1814 it was held by descend¬ 
ants of Colonel Byrd, but after that date passed out 
of the family. 
THE NORTH GATE 
235 
