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Trustee Emeritus Award for Excellence in the Stewardship of Historic Sites
In November 2000,
the National Trust for Historic Preservation presented this prestigious
award to The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America "for
acquiring, restoring, and interpreting a collection of historic properties
that offer invaluable opportunities to experience the rich variety of
America's heritage."
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NSCDA in Virginia Museum Properties
There are two outstanding properties in the State
of Virginia. Gunston Hall Plantation is in Lorton; and
Wilton is
in Richmond.
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GUNSTON
HALL PLANTATION
(1755-1759)
Address:
10709 Gunston Road,
Lorton, VA 22079
Telephone: (703)
550-9220
Open:
Daily: 9:30 a.m.-5:00
p.m.
Closed:
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New
Year's Day.
Directions:
Located 16 miles south of Alexandria.
From I-95, take the Lorton exit.
Website:
www.gunstonhall.org
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Photograph by Erik Kvalsvik
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Gunston Hall was the home of George
Mason, gentleman farmer and author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights,
a document that served as a model for the U.S. Bill of Rights and one which
called for freedom of the press, tolerance of religion, and other fundamental
democratic principles.
Built on the Potomac River circa
1755, the Georgian style mansion features some of the finest hand-carved
ornamented interiors in the country, showing the hand of 18th century architect
William Buckland. In addition to a schoolhouse, restored outbuildings
include a kitchen, dairy, laundry, and smokehouse. Visitors may tour
the mansion and grounds, including formal gardens, deer park, and farmyard
with historic livestock.
The property is owned by the Commonwealth
of Virginia and administered by a Board of Regents of The National Society
of The Colonial Dames of America.
NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK
ACCREDITED: AAM AND NSCDA
MUSEUM PROPERTIES |
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WILTON
(1750-1753)
Address:
215 South Wilton Road, Richmond, VA 23226
Telephone:
(804) 282-5936
Open:
March through January, Tuesday
through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 1:30 p.m.
to 4:30 p.m.
February by appointment only.
Closed:
Major holidays.
Directions:
Located on South Wilton Road off
the 5300 block of Cary Street. Wilton is at the end of S. Wilton
Road on a bluff overlooking the James River.
Website: www.wiltonhousemuseum.org
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Photographs by Erik Kvalsvik
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Wilton, an authentic lower James
River plantation house, is an impressive example of 18th century architecture.
This five bay, double pile brick mansion adapts the English Georgian style
into a gracious architectural statement that is distinctively American
and Virginian.
Completed in 1753 by William Randolph
III, Wilton was the centerpiece of a 2,000 acre plantation and home to
the Randolph family for more than a century. It was here that they
entertained George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and the Marquis de Lafayette.
After a succession of owners, the
house became time worn and the area industrialized. Rather than see
Wilton torn down, NSCDA in the Commonwealth of Virginia purchased the house
in 1933 and had it carefully reconstructed on the banks of the James River,
fifteen miles west of its original location. This timely intervention
saved the structure, including its original floor-to-ceiling paneling.
Wilton stands as one of the few completely-restored, paneled houses of
mid-18th century America.
The house is furnished with an impressive
collection of pieces from the 18th century and early 19th century.
The Garden Club of Virginia landscaped the grounds with terraced lawns
overlooking the James River and plantings in keeping with the original
site.
ACCREDITED AAM AND NSCDA MUSEUM
PROPERTIES
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
VIRGINIA HISTORIC LANDMARK |
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