Spotswood Garden Club – Harrisonburg Tour

April 19, 2023 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

488 South Mason Street

This brick Victorian was bult in 1910. It features original hardwood floors and a charming black and white checkerboard kitchen floor believed to have been installed in the 1950’s. It has an addition on the rear built in the 1990’s which provides a spacious area for the family. The home backs up to green space offering a lovely oasis in an urban setting. The detached brick carriage house is original to the house and is the current location for a small stained-glass studio, in addition to providing storage for bikes and garden tools. In the past 3 years the owners transformed front and back yards into shade and sun gardens for pollinators to enjoy and thrive. The backyard features a brick patio, shade borders, a medicinal and culinary herb garden, stone walking paths, and raised beds for growing a variety of fruits and vegetables.

281 Campbell Street

Located in the Old Town neighborhood of downtown Harrisonburg, this home was built inn 1920 as a chalet-style bungalow sometimes referred to as Tudorbethan. The current residents use the home for play and for entertaining friends inside and out. It has an eclectic mixture of old and new casual décor that suits a young family. Set on almost an acre of land, visitors will enjoy meandering the property, which includes an unexpectedly secluded backyard.

438 Ott Street

Located in desirable Old Town, this Colonial revival, build in 1933, boasts many original details including hardwood floors, elaborate crown molding, and architectural arches. The home underwent a major renovation in 2021 and 2022 keeping as much of the original character as possible. Square footage was added by finishing off both the basement, now a family room, and the attic which is now the primary bedroom suite and features inspiring mountain views to the west.

Joshua Wilton House

This house is among the Shenandoah Valley’s most impressive examples of Victorian domestic architecture. It is a prime example of the late 19th century practice of businessmen erecting proud, self-assertive, often extravagantly embellished dwellings along principal streets, to serve as statements of wealth and position in the community. Wilton came to Harrisonburg from Canada in 1865 and quickly became one of the town’s mercantile and civic leaders. His fancy house, showing Gothic, Italianate, and Queen Anne influences, was built c. 1888 and is located in the Historic District. It illustrates how such residences lent prestige to the town. The property was a fraternity house for a number of years before being restored as a bed & breakfast inn.

General Information

Headquarters at The Elks Lodge

482 S. Main Street, Harrisonburg 22801

Please park at the Elks Lodge for this walking tour

Tickets available at vagardenweek.org or any Garden Club member.

Tickets are available at Zola’s

Ticket price $35 in advance; $45 day of tour

Saplings from Bartlett Trees available at Headquarters (while they last)

Pictures from the 2022 Flower Show have been posted on the Flower Show Tab above.

Garden Club of Virginia Lily Show Winners

Glenna Graves won the Gertrude Cody Minter Award for the best lily stem in the show. Marcia McGrath won a blue ribbon for her lily stem.

Garden Club of Virginia Bessie Bocock Carter Conservation Award

Club Activities

Helping at the Fair

Lacey Spring Elementary Garden Project

Thank you for all those that helped today at Lacey Spring!  Here are a few pics to show what was accomplished today.  There is a “before” and “after” pics

Glenna Graves Award winner

Some photos of Lacey Spring School gardening, winner of the Glenna Graves Award.