Lush hydrangea blooms create a vibrant focal point in the garden, accented by a playful frog sculpture.
On April 21, the Garden Club of Fairfax will mark its centennial year with a tour that feels both celebratory
and deeply rooted. As part of Virginia’s Historic Garden Week, the club will host a self‑driving exploration of three distinctive Fairfax County properties from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., a day that blends history, horticulture and the quiet pleasure of stepping into places shaped with care.
“We hope visitors will enjoy both our historic and newer properties on the tour,” says co-chair Andrea Hickman Meleski. “Each property will have stunning floral displays, gorgeous interior design, and interesting architecture.” For Andrea, the tour is more than a showcase; it’s a reflection of the club’s century-long commitment to beauty and stewardship.
A Farmhouse with Deep Local Roots
The tour begins at 3500 Chain Bridge Road, an 1865 farmhouse that once stood at the center of a 100‑acre orchard and dairy farm. For more than a century, it belonged to the Cobb family, early Fairfax landowners who cultivated orchards, raised dairy cattle, and shaped the agricultural landscape of the region. When the surrounding land was eventually developed, the original farmhouse and its mature walnut and beech trees remained intact.
Later owners, the Williams family, continued the tradition of care. Carol Williams, a longtime Garden Club of Fairfax member and president from 1995 to 1997, expanded the gardens with native plants and country-style borders. A former WWII aircraft spotter’s building, once perched on stilts in Vienna, now serves as the garden shed, a quirky reminder of the property’s layered past.
In 2024, the home changed hands again. The new owners have filled it with European and American antiques mixed with modern pieces, honoring the home’s character while making it their own. “Each home is unique and interesting,” Andrea says. “Visitors always enjoy hearing the homeowners’ stories.”
Oak Hill: A Study in Contrast
The tour continues in Oak Hill, where two homes offer dramatically different interpretations of garden living.
At 3214 Upper Wynnewood Place, a contemporary home built in 1993 sits on nearly an acre of wooded land. The current owners purchased it in 1994 and spent decades shaping the landscape, clearing trees, building multi-level decks and creating Zen-style shade gardens with ponds, waterfalls and footbridges. Inside, soaring ceilings and a circular staircase frame an extensive collection of original art.
“One home that has a bunch of original art will also feature an artist actively painting in the garden,” Andrea says. “It’s something visitors really love.”
Just down the road, 3235 Navy Drive offers a burst of color and personality. The English Country style home, redesigned in the 2010s and decorated further during the pandemic, is lively and welcoming with wallpapered ceilings, a Chinese red lacquered Chippendale table and a chandelier shimmering with silver and gold medallions.
Outside, brightly colored potted plants spill across decks and stairways leading to a woodland garden. “So much to enjoy,” Andrea says. “We have a Zen garden, a woodland garden, and a cottage-style farmhouse garden. Visitors love the variety.”
Floral Artistry & Garden Wisdom
Inside each home, floral displays - large, small, sculptural, and whimsical - are created entirely by Garden Club members. “Most people love seeing the over-the-top floral displays,” Andrea says. “They’ll be highlighted in all four locations.”
Docents will be stationed throughout the homes and gardens, ready to share stories about architecture, plant choices, and design. “Our docents are happy to answer any questions,” Andrea says. “The tour is not only a delight to the eyes, but it will inspire visitors for their own homes and gardens.”
A Centennial Celebration at Vale Church
Tour headquarters at the historic Vale Church (c. 1896) will host special centennial activities throughout the day. “We’ve truly enjoyed looking back on our club’s history through the past 100 years,” Andrea says. “It makes each of us proud and energized to accomplish more for the community.”
Visitors can enjoy complimentary refreshments, meet arborists and native plant experts, and pick up free tree saplings while supplies last. Gourmet box lunches preordered by April 13 will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A Day to Wander
The tour is rain or shine, and Andrea encourages guests to come prepared. “Wear comfortable, flat shoes,” she says. “You’ll be walking on grass, rocky surfaces, up and down steps, and paved surfaces.” Parking is available along neighborhood streets and at headquarters.
“We’ve already had people confirm their attendance from across the country,” Andrea says. “It’s truly a great, don’t-miss-it event.”
If You Go:
Historic Garden Week Fairfax County Tour
Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tour Headquarters, Historic Vale Church (c. 1896), 11528 Vale Road, Oakton
– Complimentary refreshments
– Restrooms available
– Centennial “Decades” displays
– Arborists, native plant experts & free tree saplings (while supplies last)
Tickets
– $50 advance online
– $60 day-of (online or at headquarters; cash/check/Venmo)
– $15 children ages 5–17 (online only)
– Under 5 free; no strollers inside homes
Lunch
– $23 gourmet box lunch (preorder by April 13)
– Served 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. at headquarters café
– Limited extras available on-site
Parking
– Along neighborhood streets near each home
– At headquarters lot; follow signage
@HistoricGardenWeekFairfax
Contact
fairfax@vagardenweek.org