Virginia will open its doors to the world this spring for the 80th Anniversary of Historic Garden Week (20-27 April 2013), known as ‘America’s biggest open house’. In celebration of this landmark, dozens of special tours taking in former Presidential houses and over 200 beautiful historic and contemporary homes and gardens, will take place across the ‘State for Lovers’. Important historic landmarks will also open their doors to celebrate Virginia’s precious fauna with special events, gardens and openings.

Presidential homes and gardens offering tours include the UNESCO World Heritage listed Monticello, the primary plantation of former President Thomas Jefferson, which will host a stylish garden party on its picturesque lawns with acclaimed horticulturist and author Andre Viette on 22 April (admission is $65pp). Mount Vernon Estate, the plantation home of former President George Washington will also re-open its restored bowling green for the festival (admission is $17pp) and travellers can celebrate the 280th anniversary of Thomas Jefferson’s boyhood home at the 18th century Tuckahoe Plantation, with a tour taking an in-depth look at the house and magnificent grounds (admission is $15pp).

The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum will showcase a picturesque restored garden, a new exhibit housing the silver and personal artefacts belonging to Woodrow Wilson’s youngest daughter, and a self guided tour of the birthplace of the former President decorated with period floral arrangements. Alternatively, discover an abundance of fauna at one of Richmond’s most visited landmarks, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, whichwill celebrate the anniversary with special tours of the stunning gardens, wine-tasting sessions, dining and live jazz music (admission is $10pp on 26 April). Brimming with history, tours of Brandon Plantation in Burrowsville, a National & Historic Landmark and one of America’s most admired works of Palladian architecture, will showcase over 30 acres of gardens including a series of ‘garden rooms’ (admission is $15pp).

History lovers should tour the floral beauty of Old Town Alexandria, and eight centrally located private homes nestled in quaint streets lined with townhouses and intimate gardens. This tour includes admission to the Mount Vernon Estate and several historic sites in the city (tour admission is $40pp). Discover extraordinary grounds and unusual Osage orange and Chinese Chestnut trees at Morven, a brick manor house built in the late-Georgian/Federal style (tour admission is $20pp) or take a ‘simply southern’ themed tour of Smithfield’s Historic District exploring Colonial, Federal, Georgian and Victorian homes, mansions and buildings, an old library, church and a famers market (tour admission is $35pp).

Tour intimate and contemporary private residences, including a home which was previously a log cabin, nestled in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley and boasting breathtaking views of the Massanutten Mountain range near historic Harrisonburg (tour admission is $25pp).Alternatively tour a contrast of modern and historic properties and gardens amid the Eastern Shore’s sand dunes including Eyre Hall, recently a National Historic Landmark which boasts one of the country’s oldest continuously maintained gardens. Journey through cultivated fields and lush woodlands for breathtaking waterfront properties and Chesapeake Bay’s unspoiled beaches (admission is $40pp).

To find out more about Virginia’s Historic Garden Week, visit www.vagardenweek.org

To find out more about Washington, DC and the Capital Region USA, visit www.CapitalRegionUSA.co.uk

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