Historic Garden Week Celebrates Virginia's Past and Present

Tours in Williamsburg, Gloucester-Mathews, and the Middle Peninsula highlight 250 years of American history and the 100th anniversary of Colonial Williamsburg.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 3:51pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An impressionistic, out-of-focus photograph showing the soft, warm glow of a historic garden in springtime, with muted tones of green, pink, and yellow creating a dreamlike, nostalgic atmosphere.The serene, historic gardens of Virginia come alive with color and life during the annual Garden Week celebration, offering a glimpse into the state's storied past.Williamsburg Today

The Garden Club of Virginia's Historic Garden Week is celebrating the 250th anniversary of American independence and the 100th anniversary of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation with tours across the state from April 18-25. Local garden clubs have focused on highlighting historic homes, gardens, and landmarks to help tell the story of the country's past. Tours in Williamsburg, Gloucester-Mathews, and the Middle Peninsula are among the 29 programs statewide, with proceeds supporting restoration and preservation projects at historic public gardens and landscapes.

Why it matters

Historic Garden Week is a long-standing tradition in Virginia, dating back to 1927 when a flower show organized by the Garden Club of Virginia raised funds to save trees planted by Thomas Jefferson at Monticello. This year's focus on history and partnerships with sites like Colonial Williamsburg allow visitors to explore the state's past while enjoying beautiful present-day settings.

The details

The Williamsburg tour will feature six gardens and five historic properties or buildings in the Historic Area, including the elegant Governor's Palace gardens and sites like Bassett Hall and the Ludwell-Paradise House. The Gloucester-Mathews tour will highlight four homes and gardens, including the historic Warner Hall inn. The Middle Peninsula tour will visit six properties in the Bruington Historic District, including two churches with ties to the American Revolution and the post-Civil War era.

  • Historic Garden Week runs from April 18-25, 2026.
  • 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of American independence.
  • 2026 also marks the 100th anniversary of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

The players

Garden Club of Virginia

The organization that hosts Historic Garden Week, a fundraiser that supports restoration and preservation projects at historic public gardens and landscapes throughout Virginia, as well as horticulture research fellowships.

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

A partner in the Williamsburg tour, opening up iconic places that are normally off-limits to the public.

Melinda Morgan

Co-chair of the Williamsburg Garden Club's tour.

Durfee Betts

A member of the Garden Club of Gloucester & Mathews handling marketing for their tour.

Cynthia Carter

A member of the Garden Club of the Middle Peninsula handling publicity for their tour.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We wanted to make sure our gardens could really help tell the story of our country.”

— Melinda Morgan, Co-chair of the Williamsburg Garden Club's tour

“It's an extraordinary place. We don't normally include commercial properties on tour, but this is so historic and a perfect fit for the 250th.”

— Durfee Betts, Garden Club of Gloucester & Mathews member

“Gardens were a real status symbol in the 18th- and 19th-century, not only decorative or used for growing food. The more ornate, the higher the status. They can give us great insights into how people lived.”

— Melinda Morgan, Co-chair of the Williamsburg Garden Club's tour

“Virginia was a royal colony at the time, and there was only one legitimate religion. That's a fascinating piece of the picture of what pre-Revolutionary times were like for people in our community.”

— Cynthia Carter, Garden Club of the Middle Peninsula member

“There can't be a tour in Virginia that will offer as much history, music and educational opportunities.”

— Linda Minor, Garden Club of the Middle Peninsula tour co-chair

What’s next

Tickets for the Historic Garden Week tours are on sale now, and the events will take place rain or shine from April 18-25, 2026. Visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance, as the Williamsburg tour in particular is expected to draw large crowds.

The takeaway

Historic Garden Week provides a unique opportunity for visitors to explore Virginia's rich history and culture through the lens of beautifully preserved gardens and historic properties. By partnering with sites like Colonial Williamsburg, the event offers a immersive experience that celebrates the state's past while showcasing its present-day natural splendor.