🌸 Historic Garden Week in Virginia 2026

April 18–25, 2026 | Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary (VA 250)

There are a handful of events in Virginia that I simply will not miss.

Historic Garden Week is one of them.

Every year I try to attend at least one tour — sometimes more — and every year I leave reminded why I love living and working in this Commonwealth. The craftsmanship. The stewardship. The stories. And yes… the people I inevitably run into along the way.

So I’ll start with the same question I ask every spring:

Where will I see you this year?

The Nation’s Only Statewide House & Garden Tour

From April 18–25, 2026, the Garden Club of Virginia presents Historic Garden Week — the oldest and only statewide house and garden tour in the country.

And in 2026, it carries even deeper meaning as Virginia celebrates America’s 250th Anniversary (VA 250).

This year’s tours offer a unique opportunity to visit properties connected to early Virginians who helped shape our nation — from founding fathers to the Indigenous communities who first inhabited these lands, to the enslaved Africans whose labor and craftsmanship built many of the structures we admire today.

Virginia doesn’t just tell the story of America’s beginnings.

It embodies it.

What You’ll Experience

More than 120 private properties opened across Virginia 29 regional tours statewide Bonus garden tours at Little Oak Spring and Morven Homes spanning four centuries of architecture Farmhouses, grand manors, urban townhomes, and mid-century masterpieces 3–5 private homes featured per tour Access to numerous state and national historic landmarks

Some tours are walkable. Others are self-drive. If shuttle transportation is needed, it’s included in your ticket.

Ticket prices range from $25 to $75, and new this year, many tours offer a $15 youth ticket (ages 5–17) — something I love to see. Passing along appreciation for preservation matters.

You can explore the full schedule and purchase tickets here:

👉 Historic Garden Week Official Website

👉 Facebook: Historic Garden Week in Virginia

👉 Instagram: @historicgardenweek

Tickets and guidebooks are available beginning in mid-February.

The Floral Design: An Art Form of Its Own

One of the most remarkable details of Historic Garden Week is the floral design.

Each home features breathtaking arrangements created by members of the Garden Club of Virginia. These aren’t generic centerpieces — they’re carefully curated installations using seasonal flowers and native plants that complement the architecture and historical context of each property.

The flowers interpret the home.

They tell a story.

They elevate the entire experience.

Why This Event Matters

Historic Garden Week is more than a beautiful spring outing.

It funds preservation.

To date, the Garden Club of Virginia has completed 130 restoration projects across the Commonwealth. Proceeds also support a historic landscape research fellowship program that has documented dozens of significant gardens since 1996, building a comprehensive archive of Virginia’s historic landscapes.

Restoration projects have included iconic sites such as:

George Washington’s Mount Vernon Monticello Poplar Forest Montpelier St. John’s Church

While many organizations have preserved the homes of Virginia’s founders, the Garden Club of Virginia has played a vital role in restoring and interpreting the landscapes — the terraces, gardens, pathways, and views that frame the architecture and shape the experience.

And if you know me, you know I believe landscape is just as important as structure.

Why I Write About Events Like This

Some people wonder why I spend time each year writing about Historic Garden Week.

It’s simple.

I’m not just in the business of selling homes.

I’m in the business of connecting people to place.

For more than 20 years, I’ve helped buyers and sellers all across Virginia — from Virginia Beach to Richmond and everywhere in between. I’ve watched people relocate, retire, downsize, build custom homes, and start brand-new chapters.

What anchors people long-term isn’t just the house.

It’s the traditions.

It’s the culture.

It’s events like this.

Historic Garden Week captures everything I love about Virginia: beauty, history, craftsmanship, preservation, and community. When I write about it, it’s because I want you to feel what living here feels like.

I consider myself a local ambassador first and a Realtor second.

And this week?

This is Virginia at its finest.

So tell me…

Which tour are you attending this year?

I’ll be there somewhere — strolling garden paths, admiring floral arrangements, and likely running into a few familiar faces.

Hope one of them is you.

About Me

I’m John Womeldorf — also known as Mr. Williamsburg.

I’ve been listing and selling homes in Williamsburg and throughout coastal and central Virginia for over 20 years. My brokerage has offices in Williamsburg, Newport News, Virginia Beach, Kilmarnock, and Richmond — and I’ve sold homes everywhere from the North Carolina border to west of Richmond and all points in between.

Whether you’re buying, selling, building, downsizing, investing, or simply exploring what life in Virginia could look like, I’m here to help you navigate it thoughtfully.

📞 Call or Text: 757-254-8136

📧 Email: John@MrWilliamsburg.com

🌐 Website: https://mrwilliamsburg.com

If you see me during Historic Garden Week, please stop and say hello.

And if you’re thinking about making Virginia home, let’s talk.