Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 20, 1995 TAG: 9504250004
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETSY BIESENBACH STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
160 27th St. (garden only), owned by Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Lemon. This garden was designed by Stanley Abbot to complement the Tudor-style home. On the grounds are a reflecting pool and several statues, including one of a Chinese goddess. There is a grassy mall and an organic perennial garden, which features boxwoods, azaleas, dogwoods, rhododendrons and hostas. It is open for the first time since 1978.
2436 Cornwallis Ave., owned by Mr. and Mrs. B.W. Porterfield III. Built in 1927, this English Tudor-style house has been remodeled three times since 1980. It features a gourmet kitchen, a glassed-in den, antique rugs and eclectic furnishings. Outside are boxwoods, azaleas and a wildflower garden.
It was last open in the 1950s.
Bally Hak, 1201 Ivy St., owned by Dr. and Mrs. V.L. Lewis. This Georgian Revival-style home sits at the base of Mill Mountain, and was built in 1892. It was known as the Bachelor's Club, a predecessor of the Shenandoah Club. It was remodeled in 1992, and features a mantel carved from a single piece of stone mined from Mill Mountain. On the grounds are boxwoods, roses, and many trees, including a 150-year-old white oak and one of the largest copper beeches in Virginia.
Terra Alta, 1348 Prospect Road, owned by Drs. P.D. and M.A. Wakat. This white stucco and red-tiled home was built around 1922. It has over 100 windows and doors, oak woodwork, and the original tile baths. The morning room features curved glass windows, and the front porch provides a spectacular view of the valley below. The two-acre lot features many old trees and tall boxwoods.
Tours begin at 10 a.m. and will continue until 5 p.m. Tickets for the event are $12 per person. Because parking space at each home is very limited, participants must use the free continuous shuttle service, which they can catch at the Roanoke Garden Center at 2713 Avenham Ave. or at South Roanoke United Methodist Church at 24th and South Jefferson streets.
Some tickets will be on sale at each home, but because there is no parking, Rice recommends buying them at the Garden Center. There are bus stops at every house, and participants may spend as much time as they like at each stop.
Lunch will be served at the church between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The cost is $6.50 per person, and reservations and prepayment must be made by April 26.
For ticket information, call 343-4519. For luncheon reservations, call 977-1649 or 344-5343.
by CNB