Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The city of Franklin will help initiate the Garden Club of Virginia’s 2025 Historic Garden Week by holding a tour of homes and gardens along its historic Clay Street on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Historic Garden Week runs from April 26-May 3 this year and includes tours statewide.

The Franklin Tour will be hosted by the Franklin, Elizabeth River and Nansemond River Garden clubs and will feature five properties: Woods Hill at 1501 Clay St., The Drake House at 1404 Clay St., The Thorpe House at 1009 Clay St., The Russell House at 722 Clay St. and The Elms at 717 Clay St.

Tickets are on sale at www.vagardenweek.org for the Franklin Tour: Homes & Gardens Along Historic Clay Street, with separate rates for tickets purchased in advance and those purchased the day of the tour.

Proceeds go to fund the restoration of Virginia public gardens and a research fellowship program.

“Excitement is blooming in Franklin!” said Holly Gizzi, one of the chairpersons of the Historic Garden Week Franklin Tour. As she issued a formal invitation for people to experience the tour, she said, “Wander through gorgeous homes, stroll vibrant gardens, and marvel at the floral artistry of the Elizabeth River, Franklin and Nansemond River Garden clubs — each space bursting with creativity and charm.”

The Franklin Tour brochure notes that the headquarters for the tour will be High Street United Methodist Church, located at 31164 Camp Parkway in Courtland. Facilities will be available there as well.

Tour ticket holders should check in at the headquarters where they will obtain wristbands that are required for access to each featured property, the brochure states.

The brochure notes that there will be designated street and field parking in the vicinity of each featured property on the tour, and a map will be provided to help locate these areas. Refreshments will be available at The Drake House under the carport from 1-3 p.m., and they will be provided by Elizabeth River Garden Club.

The following special activities will be part of the Franklin Tour experience, as highlighted in the brochure:

• Traditional fox hunting attire and tack exhibit and conversation at Woods Hill, 1501 Clay St., from 1-3 p.m.
• Bartlett Tree Experts will be at Woods Hill, 1501 Clay St., with information and free saplings while supplies last.
• Local plein air painters will be at each home on the tour. A wet painting sale and reception will take place immediately following the end of the tour day at 4 p.m. at Rawls Museum Arts, which is located at 22376 Linden St. in Courtland.

Oxford Languages defines “plein air” as “denoting or in the manner of a 19th-century style of painting outdoors, or with a strong sense of the open air, that became a central feature of French impressionism.”

“There are seven plein air painters joining us on tour day, adding another layer of beauty to the already stunning homes, gardens and floral design,” Gizzi said, noting that the painters will include Elizabeth Blanchard, Debra Dartez, Barbara Anne Harris, Darlene Keyt, Val Parnell, Sandy Waters and Terry Wylie. 

Gizzi said the wet painting sale and reception at Rawls Museum Arts will run from 4-8 p.m.

She shared some thoughts on why the overall tour is an important event.

“The Historic Garden Week Franklin Tour is more than just a beautiful day out, the proceeds are used to preserve and restore historic public gardens in Virginia, and it’s a celebration of community, creativity and connection,” she said. “This event offers a unique opportunity to welcome guests from near and far, providing a glimpse into the charm and character of our town. 

“Whether it’s the elegance of historic homes, the artistry of garden and floral design or the inspiration of plein air painters capturing the moment in real time, the tour is sure to spark imagination and appreciation,” she continued. “Guests may leave inspired to try their own floral arrangements, explore interior or landscape design, take an art class or bring home an original painting.”

She said that the Franklin Tour day is one “that empowers, educates and showcases the very best of Franklin — from our talented artists and garden clubs to our vibrant local shops, restaurants and museums. Simply put, this event is a heartfelt invitation to experience the spirit of Franklin — a community that is welcoming, creative and full of beauty.”

The Franklin Tour brochure put the city in historical context, noting that it became incorporated as a town in 1876.

“Clay Street is one of its main thoroughfares, a charming area featuring homes and gardens, many of which are part of a Camp family legacy that began when three Camp brothers built their logging and paper operations,” tour officials state in the brochure. “A stroll down Clay Street passes stately mansions and small cottages and is reminiscent of a time gone by. On this tour of five private homes, visitors will appreciate a variety of architectural styles, exceptional millwork, art, antiques and well-loved gardens.”

1.) WOODS HILL — 1501 CLAY STREET

Patricia Peace Rawls owns this property, which is the first stop on the Franklin Tour.

The tour brochure includes the following summary of Woods Hill: “This historic 17-acre estate represents a collaboration between 20th-century Virginian masters, landscape designer Charles Gillette and architect Alan McCullough. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, its history dates back to a small gas station and a log cabin restaurant known as ‘The Shack.’ After working closely with both architects to transform the structures, Sol Rawls Jr., his wife, Ann Peace Rawls, and their children moved into their new brick home in 1951. It features old English bond brickwork and overlooks a newly created and landscaped pond. The library and foyer were crafted from reclaimed church pews, and Carter’s Grove inspired a hallway arch. In addition to antiques and collections, the interior has a distinct equestrian and fox-hunting theme. The owner and her father shared a love of riding. Recently, she has focused on sustainability in the garden, including the removal of invasive plants. She plans to introduce new plant varieties that can weather climate change and adapt to different light requirements due to tree loss while preserving the estate’s wonderland of color when the azaleas, rhododendrons, dogwoods and camellias bloom.”

The brochure includes a disclaimer advising caution as the Woods Hill property contains uneven terrain.

2.) THE DRAKE HOUSE — 1404 CLAY STREET

This second stop, which is new to the tour, is owned by Wilson and Ruth “Cookie” Drake.

The tour brochure includes the following summary of The Drake House: “A distinctive yellow ranch, built in 1974 by Smiley Atkinson (Cookie’s father), marked the start of a love story. The current owners celebrated their wedding reception in their new home. The landscaping design has grown to include evergreen shrubs and trees, including magnolias, pines, crepe myrtles, wax myrtles, hollies, euonymus, six varieties of boxwoods, and topiaries. Inside there are trompe-l’oeil murals. Through this technique, the sunken living room conveys the atmosphere of an Italian garden; another room conjures a beachy coast. The owners’ love of color and individual style is evidenced by their choices of custom upholstered pieces, slipcovers, rugs and window treatments above the plantation shutters. They recently transitioned the great room into a safari-inspired space. Black floors and white paneled walls provide a striking backdrop for the brightly colored chairs, tropical and striped fabrics and zebra rugs, creating an exotic retreat.”

3.) THE THORPE HOUSE — 1009 CLAY STREET

This third stop on the tour is owned by George Lee and Jill Thorpe.

The tour brochure includes the following summary of The Thorpe House: “This charming story-and-a-half Colonial home, built in 1946 for Caroline ‘Carrie’ Savage Camp, widow of James L. Camp Sr., one of the founders of Camp Manufacturing Company, reflects its rich history. While an additional wing and front porch were added in 1954, the home retains many original features. The dining room once had a call bell beneath the dining table and private butler’s quarters above the den, accessible by a discreet staircase. The butler’s quarters were later transformed into a family living space, connecting the upstairs spaces with a hallway. The home’s layout is inviting, with a large den with cypress wood paneling and a full-service wet bar hidden behind double doors that reveal a high-end bourbon collection. When they purchased the home in 2022, the yard and garden were overgrown with old trees and invasive plants. Since then, the owners have rejuvenated the gardens, removing unwanted trees and vegetation. Jasmine, hydrangeas, camellias, roses and willows have transformed the outdoor space.”

4.) THE RUSSELL HOUSE — 722 CLAY STREET

This fourth stop on the tour is owned by Dean and Kristina Russell.

The tour brochure includes the following summary of The Russell House: “Since purchasing this turn-of-the-century home, the new owners have embarked on numerous projects to merge structural improvements with their artistic vision. They replaced the downstairs carpeting with hardwood flooring, adding intricate borders of contrasting wood to specific rooms and a striking starburst design in the foyer. All parts of the painted staircase were stripped and restored to their natural wood finish. Stained-glass windows, collected and custom-created by the owners, are standout features. There is new woodwork, most notably in the foyer, dining room and living room, where a nine-piece crown molding with a stenciled insert adds a refined touch. Several rooms, including the kitchen and laundry area, were reconfigured to improve flow and functionality. The backyard features a whimsical, owner-built pirate ship connected to a pre-existing playhouse. The playhouse has a newly rebuilt barn-style roof, complete with repurposed shingles from Great Fork Church in Whaleyville.”

5.) THE ELMS — 717 CLAY STREET

This fifth stop on the tour is owned by The Elms Foundation.

The tour brochure includes the following summary of The Elms: “Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Elms, built in 1897 by Paul D. Camp, a founder of the Camp Manufacturing Company, symbolizes the success of an industrial empire that shaped southeastern Tidewater, Virginia. Camp Manufacturing evolved into Union Camp, which International Paper later acquired. The lumber and paper industries developed by Camp and his brothers after the Civil War revitalized the region’s economy, bringing prosperity to the Camp family. The Camp family has created cultural and educational resources for the Franklin area through philanthropic foundations. These foundations are now administered from The Elms. This Victorian-style home reflects 19th-century tastes for ornate design. Notable features

include woodwork made from rare North Carolina shortleaf curly pine, which Mr. Camp collected over 25 years. The hall and staircase showcase the distinctive graining of the shortleaf curly pine, while a collection of Dorothy Doughty porcelain birds and a hunt scene painting add to the decor. Set on seven acres of gardens and shaded by old trees, the property is known as the ‘Santa Claus House’ thanks to its annual rooftop display of Santa and his sleigh, a local tradition since 1935.”

For more information on the Historic Garden Week Franklin Tour, visit www.vagardenweek.org, www.facebook.com/historicgardenweekpsf or @historicgardenweekpsf on Instagram.