Gary Dickens                                              May 2011

A rare glimpse into Loudoun history...

If you weren't up on Mt. Gilead on April 18th, then that's what you missed. Yes, on that date the Leesburg Garden Club (in association with The Fauquier and Loudoun Garden Club), not only opened up a range of gardens in this historic village but also historic homes, rarely glimpsed by the public.

In the 1800's, Mt. Gilead boasted two cabinet makers, two shoe factories, a cooper's (barrel maker) shop and general store. A thriving, productive village on high ground overlooking Loudoun Valley to the west.

The well organized tour (using shuttle buses to convey guests along the narrow, ridgetop lane) featured tours of three historic homes: "Stoney Lonesome" whose c. 1790 home has been meticulously restored by Micheal & Dawn O'Connor. "The Old School House" (c. 1760) was on tour, near the end of the lane and now the residence of Lucretia Marks. For the last generation it served as a nurturing base for the highly artistic Marks family. "Chestnut Ridge" (c. 1840), served as slave quarters for the adjoining property which is now Willowcroft Winery.

Willowcroft Winery was homebase for the tour. Here you could buy a ticket for the day or a boxed lunch to enjoy on their lovely terraces. The walled garden of "Samarate" was also open, delighting visitors with their colonial touch while frustrating marauding deer.

So you missed the tour this year? Well, enjoy the photos below...then open up your 2012 calendar and mark April 21-28 as the next Virginia Historic Garden week. The Leesburg Garden Club is already designing another fabulous day of tours.

"Stoney Lonesome" is said to have received its name from children commenting on its distant 650 ft vector east of the main village of Mt. Gilead.	Rarely open to the public, this beautiful home hosted scores of visitors through rooms 220 years old. The old cooking fireplace, large enough to walk into, was one of many tour delights.
Visitors could relax poolside, one of the estate's numerous focal points amongst its friendly landscaping.	The home's rear elevation is as lovely as the front. The extensive flower beds, a small potion seen in the foreground, would burst out in color in May.
These ladies took their lunch break on the breathtaking Willowcroft Winery terraces overlooking Loudoun Valley. The Blue Ridge frames the far west.	Willowcroft has "truckloads" of character and is a wonderful destination throughout the year.
William C. Ray, local historian and author of "Mount Gilead: History and Heritage" had his book available just outside the Willowcroft barn.	Visitor could also take a break from history and enjoy present day Willowcroft offerings. Loudoun County's very first (modern day, 1983) winery, Willowcroft single handedly launched an entire local industry.
"Chestnut Ridge" was used as slave quarters for the adjacent farm (now Willowcroft) in its humbler antebellum, log cabin days.	The terraced, brick walled garden of "Samarate" was highly reminiscent of colonial Williamsburg. No trouble with deer foraging your flowers here!
The poolhouse at "Samarate"	Gotta love the tulip beds.
"Back in the day" this was Franklin Street and continued down into the valley and across Goose Creek. Today it ends at the home of Lucretia Marks, originally Mt. Gilead's schoolhouse.	In this home, Lucretia and her late husband Mark would raise five sons and launch the Mount Gilead Violin Works. All artists in their own right, the five sons scattered worldwide, plying their musical gifts.
After the tour of this eclectic home, guests could reflect on their visit on the rear patio and deck which again, which like so many homes on the western side of the ridge, overlooks Loudoun Valley, with Blue Ridge vistas.	The handmade mosiac table and playfully painted chimney of the Marks home, help create an impression that Mt. Gilead is Leesburg's lost "Shangri-la".
I mentioned that the tour was well organized? Shuttle buses were invaluable in getting guests around the tour. The tour brouchure was very informative and well written. The home docents were thoroughly versed and knowledgeable.	This humorous little stone made it's appearance in a flower bed where all was well. It speaks truth of my gardening abilities though and I plan to live vicariously through the most excellent efforts of the Leesburg Garden Club. They deserve high marks for this year's tour of Mt. Gilead. I look forward to next year's tour and you should too!