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Tour of Gunston Hall and its Restored Riverside Garden & Luncheon at Ann Mason Room - May 17, 2022

Tour of Gunston Hall and its Restored Riverside Garden and Luncheon at Ann Mason Room - May 17,2022


Evergreen members traveled to Gunston Hall, on a beautiful, cloudless day for a tour of George Mason’s home and garden. We had a fabulous guided tour of the riverside garden, currently being restored to its colonial times of bounty. 


The borders are planted with flowering perennials, as in colonial times, while the interior is reserved for growing herbs, and foods. The garden produces a large amount of food in season and this bounty is donated to a nearby food pantry. 


Employing precise geometry, Mason laid out the landscape features around the mansion on a 60′ grid. The garden fit into this overall scheme. Surrounded by a high fence, the garden was a private place the Mason family reserved for themselves and their guests. Each of the four garden squares provided beauty and function, as flowers surrounded vegetables.


George Mason and George Washington, avid gardeners, often traded seeds. It was George Mason who sent “Water-Melon” seeds to George Washington, therefore we can thank these two Founding Father’s for our national treat on the Fourth of July.


After our garden tour, a lovely, shady courtyard set-up with tables, provided the perfect spot for our luncheon of green salad, homemade chicken salad with currants, Pellegrino, brownies, lemon bars accompanied by Spotify playing George Winston’s Summer album. We felt like summer guests of George Mason!


Colet thanked the members, and thanked Jane DeCell who worked tirelessly to set this tour up over a two year timespan. She also thanked members of Evergreen’s current leadership team, and noted our wonderful new slate of officers. 


After lunch, tours were provided of George Mason’s ancestral home.


If you have an opportunity to tour Gunston Hall this summer, it’s worthwhile to travel back to colonial times in nearby Lorton, Virginia. 


Respectfully submitted,

Colet Mitchell

(For Pam Selden, Recording Secretary)

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Evergreen Garden Club

Founded in 1953 

71 Years of Environmental Education 

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