“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.” — John Burroughs
Are you ready for a back-to-nature road trip? We’ve got you covevered. Richmond’s Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens have options for the entire family.
The Garden’s history is illustrious; it began with the generosity of its first benefactor, Grace Arents, the niece of 19th-century businessman and philanthropist Lewis Ginter. In 1913, Grace purchased the abandoned Lakeside Wheel Clubhouse and its 10 acres in Henrico County from her late uncle’s estate. Before long, she expanded her farm, now named “Bloemendaal” (Valley of Flowers, after an ancestral Dutch town), to 73 acres and a number of support buildings. In 1926 Grace died, and through her will bequeathed Bloemendaal Farm and an endowment of $100,000 to the City of Richmond for a “public park and botanical garden” to be named in honor of her beloved uncle Lewis Ginter.
In 1984, when the Garden was organized and chartered, the property was largely untended and the few buildings on site were suffering from age and neglect. It took three years to open to the public. After 36 years of rapid growth, the Garden now encompasses 82 acres, four lakes, 5,700 unique taxa of plants within 15 distinct outdoor gardens, 11 major buildings including a conservatory and greenhouse, plus an 80-acre branch site, the Lewis Ginter Nature Reserve.
Join us as we give you a mini-tour.
Butterfly Palace.
Experience the wonderful world of butterflies! Tropical and native beauties, fascinating and showy, transform the Conservatory’s North Wing into a wonderland of vibrant colors. Every butterfly is different, as is every visit!
Tree line view.
A well-known landmark in the Garden, the universally accessible Klaus Family Tree House is a place all can explore together. In 2022, more than 416,000 guests visited the Garden. In addition, more than 6,000 Pre-K through 12 students participated in on-site educational programming.
Incanto Illumination.
There is always something new at the Gardens! The current highlight is the world premiere of Incanto: An Oasis of Lyrical Sculpture. There are five intricately designed, allegorical sculptures accompanied by poetry; guests are invited on a journey of self-discovery and connection with others and the natural world.
Water Wow!
The youngest guests can cool off in the water park with spouts that are shaped like plants.
It is not too late for a summer adventure. Maybe this is the one that you have been waiting for!
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The Feltner Group is a full-service real estate team that specializes in providing a concierge-level of service for all clients. Your home is the set where life’s big and small moments are staged. We can help find a house worthy of your memories.
And, our list of services is expanding. Stephanie Feltner of The Feltner Group is now licensed to sell homes in West Virginia! Almost heaven for clients that love the year-round beauty of the Mountain State.
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