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Historic Leafwood Christmas House Tour on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019 from 1 to 4 p.m. will benefit the Middlesex County Museum & Historical Society.
Built in 1781, Leafwood was originally part of Clarke’s Neck Plantation and was an overseer’s house.
The Marston family purchased the house in 1856 and was instrumental in organizing the county’s board of supervisors and running a drug store. At the turn of the century, Leafwood was purchased by Col. John Saunders, Attorney General of Virginia who added the two additions on each end of the home, including the master bedroom suite and a porch that is now the garden room, as well as the back additions that include the dining room, study, and laundry room. The house remained in the Saunders family until 2005.
The current owners, Grady and Angeline Frame purchased the home in 2017 and have had extensive restoration work done to the manor home, grounds and the buildings.
All the major rooms have fireplaces, the original random- width flooring remains upstairs, the downstairs floors have been replaced. The staircase rising from the entrance hall is part of the original house and is unusual with very shallow steps and an overhang of only 5’2. The original house included the center hall, living room and an upstairs bedroom and a small room. A third upstairs bedroom and bath was added when the additions were constructed in the early twentieth century.
Many rooms still contain the original hand-blown glass windows and is decorated with the owners mix of antiques and modern pieces, art, family heirlooms and collectibles from their many travels abroad.
For Christmas, the house is decorated with fresh magnolia, holly, pine and cedar from the property.
Custom designed wreaths by local floral artist Barbara Shackleford of “Wreaths and More” adorn doors and windows. Every room on display features lovely decorations and holiday collectibles.
A nine foot Christmas tree surrounded by vintage mechanical Christmas carolers will greet you in the front entrance hallway.
Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the door. Proceeds from this tour will support the mission of the Middlesex County Museum & Historical Society to acquire, preserve, display and educate the public about the different aspects of our rich history.
Light refreshments will be served.
Leafwood is located at 820 Gloucester Road, Saluda, VA. 23149.
