FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:        Kay Tyler                                           Steve Mullen                                              

                                    (804) 358-6248                                   (804) 382-0017 (cell)

(804) 240-4828 (cell)                          steve@endgamepr.com

                                    ktyler@sherwoodforest.org

WESTOVER CHURCH 2009 AUTUMN PILGRIMAGE HOUSE TOUR

Charles City, Virginia – Charles City County history will once again be on display this year, for a good cause.  Westover Church announced that the 15th Autumn Pilgrimage House and Garden Tour will be held Saturday, September 26, 2009, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  All the houses on tour are historic and several have not been available for public touring for many years. One historic house was originally built in 1790 in Chesterfield County and was moved in 1998 to its current site by barge to the banks of the James River.

Over the years, the tour has generated well over $150,000 for Westover Church and its charitable outreach programs. “Meals on Wheels” is the primary recipient, along with other local, national and international concerns, which benefit from this event. Significant contributions have been made to the Katrina storm victims, the Crow Indian Reservation in North Dakota, and the Diocesan Relief Fund, among others. 

Charles City County boasts a wealth of history, not only in terms of events and the people who helped shape our country, but also in terms of architecture. From imposing 18th century plantation houses to smaller domestic structures, churches and new homes, the county offers a stunning breadth of American architecture. Many of the houses overlook the James River. This year, all houses on tour are historic sites.

A truly notable architectural tour in Charles City must include visits to its numerous historic plantations and private homes. The ancestral homes of past presidents and notables of Virginia society serve as glimpses of the past, which bring past events that shaped our country to life.  On this year’s tour are Westover (1730), Berkeley (1726), Sherwood Forest (begun c.1660 with additions through 1845). Kittiewan (c. 1728) was donated to the Archaeological Society of Virginia and is undergoing physical and archaeological study. Three homes of historic and architectural significance are Weyanoke (1798), Upper Weyanoke (c.1620s), North Bend Plantation Bed & Breakfast (c.1849) and Richmond View (c.1790).
         Most of the properties on the tour are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a Virginia Historic Landmark or National Historic Landmark. There are fine gardens and lovely grounds for visitors to explore at Berkeley, North Bend, Sherwood Forest, Weyanoke, Upper Weyanoke and Westover. 

This year, several lovely historic homes along Weyanoke Road are featured on the house and garden tour. Weyanoke and Upper Weyanoke are part of properties owned by several Virginia families prominent in Virginia history, such as  from the past include Governor Yeardly, Abraham Piersley, William Harwood, Fielding Lewis Douthat and his wife Mary Willis Marshall, granddaughter of the Chief Justice.  North Bend was built in 1819 for Sarah Harrison, the sister of William Henry Harrison. The plantation lands are still under cultivation by the current owners, the Copland family, descendants of the Ruffin and Harrison families. Kittiewan (c. 1728) features beautiful original paneled rooms with rich history, now owned by the Archaeological Society of Virginia. Richmond View (c. 1790) was originally built in Chesterfield County and moved by barge to Charles Ciuty County in 1998. Recognized in 2006 as Southern Living Magazine's best preservation project.

Two historic churches on the tour include Bethany Presbyterian Church, a beautiful Greek Revival church built in 1869. The white frame building has a classical facade with a portico supported by Doric columns. Members of the congregation will serve refreshments during the tour. The second church, Westover Parish Church (Episcopal), is one of the oldest churches in the country. Its predecessor was constructed between 1630 and 1637 on Westover plantation. About 1730, the original structure was dismantled and reconstructed at its present site on Herring Creek. Through the centuries, farmers, plantation owners, slaves have worshipped at Westover Parish Church.  Notable attendees at the church include George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, John Tyler and Theodore Roosevelt.

The day of the pilgrimage will kick off with a presentation of the foxhounds from Princess Anne Hunt Club at Sherwood Forest Plantation from 9 until 9:30 a.m. A variety of activities will follow at Westover Church throughout the day, including lunch time entertainment by various groups from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Local products and produce, such as pumpkins will be featured at the church lawn throughout the day. Box lunches may be reserved in advance and will be served at the church from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The youth of Westover Church will sell homemade goods and a la carte lunch items, including chili and hot dogs.

Two distinctive plants highly favored in local gardens will be available for sale: Poet’s Laurel (danae racemosa), an evergreen shrub useful for flower arrangements and Spider Lily bulbs (lycoris radiata of the amaryllis family), a favorite fall blooming flower.  Other spring flowering plants, such as daffodils and day lilies will be available for sale.

Raffle Tickets

Winners will be chosen from the raffle drawing at 5 p.m. Cost of the raffle tickets are $5 each or 6 tickets for $25. Prizes are: Cyber Shot Digital Camera, Trek Navigator 2.0 Mountain Bike, and an overnight stay for 2 at North Bend Platation Bed and Breakfast and dinner at Charles City Tavern.  For more information or to purchase raffle tickets, contact Theresa Coyne, 804-829-9077 or westoverpilgrimage@yahoo.com. The raffle tickets will be on sale the day of the tour at Richmond View, Sherwood Forest Plantation, Westover and Westover Church.

Ticket and Lunch Information

Tour tickets may be purchased in advance through September 22, 2009 for $30 per person. Tickets may be purchased on the day of the tour for $35 per person at Richmond View, Sherwood Forest Plantation, Westover and Westover Church. Box lunches may be ordered in advance for $12 each and will be available at Westover Church between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Advance tickets and lunch reservations contact:

For advance admission tickets, raffle tickets and lunch reservations, send checks, payable to Westover Church by September 22, to Teresa Coyne, 13101 Tyler’s Mill Road, Charles City, VA  23030.

Tickets may be purchased on the day of tour, September 26 at Richmond View, Sherwood Forest Plantation, Westover and Westover Church.

For more information or questions, contact:

Teresa Coyne at (804) 829-9077, westoverpilgrimage@yahoo.com

Kay Tyler at (804) 358-6248, ktyler@sherwoodforest.org

Westover Parish Church webpage:  www.westoverparish.org/AutumnPilgrimage.html

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