United States of America -- Virginia -- Surry County -- Claremont
Scope and Contents:
The folder includes worksheets and photocopies of articles about the property.
General:
The land on which Claremont Manor was built came into the possession of the Allen family in 1681. The property was passed down to the Allen family descendents for 205 years, and became prosperous with 12,000 acres for growing tobacco, and hundreds of slaves to work the fields, until the Civil War. Portions of the property were sold by several owners following the Civil War, becoming the town of Claremont, Virginia or smaller farms.
The Georgian style brick manor, which includes several outbuildings, was built in ca.1740, was expanded and altered over time. The manor is sited at the top of a terraced lawn about 100 feet above the James River at its confluence with Upper Chippokes Creek. Old trees, including magnolias, frame the garden, which is itself bordered in boxwood. The extensive grounds were divided into garden area by grass walkways, later paved or bricked, and a variety of brick walls. The ornamental plantings were organized in garden rooms, with boxwood borders, and fruit arbors. There are two lanes of linden trees leading to the James River, one to a wooded dell that fronts the boat landing.
The garden was restored in the 1930s under the ownership of General William H. and Ann Cocke and again in the 1950s during James Walter Carter's ownership. Major changes during the 1930s included the addition of mature trees and shrubs and the public road was moved away from the house. A swimming pool and tennis court, designed by William Lawrence Bottomley, was added during the ownership of Millicent Rogers, 1940-1950.
During the Carter ownership (1950-1964), landscape architect Alden Hopkins of Williamsburg redesigned the gardens, changing and paving walkways and adding mature trees. The Ardibel Carpet at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London was the source of the design of the kitchen garden, using herbs and vegetables. Other trees planted in the 1950s included crepe myrtles and starlight magnolias. The home was occupied by the Felician Sisters and used as a convent during the mid-1960s and 1970s. In 1982, Lewis and Ann Kirby bought and added back 68 acres that were once part of the original property.
Persons associated with the property include Arthur Allen II (former owner 1681-1710); John Allen (former owner, 1710-1741); William Allen (former owner, 1741-1793); William Allen II (former owner, 1793 - 1831); William Orgain Allen (former owner 1831-1875); William Allen IV (former owner 1875-1886); J. Franklin Mancha (former owner, 1886-1887); A.B and Edward Randall (former owner, 1887-1888); A. B. Randall (former owner, 1888-1894); Benjamin F. Hilt (former owner, 1894-1900); Elizabeth G. Winter (former owner, 1900-1909); Harry C. Burdick (former owner, 1909-1919); Eleanor C. Johnston (former owner, 1919-1928); General William H. and Ann O. Cocke (former owner, 1928-1940); Millicent Rogers (former owner, 1940-1950); James Walter Carter (former owner, 1950-1964); Felician Sisters Convent (former owner, 1964-1976); Lewis and Ann Kirby (current owner, 1976- ); Alden Hopkins (landscape architect, 1950s-1960s) and Donald H. Parker (landscape architect).
Related Materials:
Claremont Manor related holdings consist of 1 folder (16 glass lantern slides)
Collection Restrictions:
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.
Sponsor:
A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.
Comprehensive index of Charles Lang Freer's library, mostly relating to art and Asian culture. Headings include authors, countries, and topical subjects. Sections include locations in Freer's original Detroit home; an index of all books transferred to the Smithsonian; a list of collections and collectors catalogues of American and Near and Far Eastern art; sales catalogues, and books in Chinese language.
Arrangement:
Organized in the original manner by the creator.
Local Numbers:
FSA A.01 05.22
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository.
Topic:
Art, Asian -- Collectors and collecting Search this
Art, American -- Collectors and collecting Search this
Charles Lang Freer Papers. FSA A.01. National Museum of Asian Art Archives. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. Gift of the estate of Charles Lang Freer.
Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository.
Collection Citation:
Charles Lang Freer Papers. FSA A.01. National Museum of Asian Art Archives. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. Gift of the estate of Charles Lang Freer.
Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository.
Collection Citation:
Charles Lang Freer Papers. FSA A.01. National Museum of Asian Art Archives. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. Gift of the estate of Charles Lang Freer.
Catalogue of a loan exhibition of English chintz : English printed fabrics from their origins until the present day ; Victoria and Albert Museum, London, May 18th to July 17th, 1960
