Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, Richmond, Virginia

Visitors to the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in Richmond, Virginia may be totally unaware of the historical facts about the land that is today overflowing with flowers and plants in hundreds of varieties.

The land, located at what now is 1800 Lakeside Avenue, was land on which the Powhatan tribe used to hunt. Later the land was owned by Patrick Henry. Lewis Ginter purchased the property in 1884. Upon his death, Lewis' niece, Grace Arents purchased the land along with a building that Ginter had built and called The Wheel Club. The Wheel Club had been used as a place for bicyclists to rest and visit.

She added onto the building and turned it into a convalescent home for ailing children, and it was used in that manner until a convalescent home was no longer needed. At that point, Arents decided to use it as her residence. When she died in 1926, her will stated that her companion, Mary Garland Smith, had rights to the property until her death. After that time, the land would go to the city of Richmond and it was to be used to build a garden to honor her uncle.

Smith died in 1968, but it was not until several years later in 1981 that a group of citizens joined together to see that the Botanical Garden would be created.

Today, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens boasts over 50 acres of gardens. No matter what time of year it is, visitors will almost always find some of the flowers in bloom. The garden, which is intended to be a walk-through experience, so no cars are permitted, also holds special events and educational classes throughout the year.

There is a gift shop on the property and two places to dine, the Garden Cafy' and the Tea Room. If visitors would rather bring a picnic lunch, there are tables available in the Children's Garden. Many weddings are held in the Gardens each year, and the site also makes a beautiful backdrop for wedding photography and other portraits.

One visitor from Boston said that she had visited several botanical gardens throughout the country and she felt that the Lewis Ginter was among the best. Another visitor from Washington D.C. said that even though there were not as many varieties as at some other gardens that "it makes up for it in the quality of the exhibits and over all disposition of the grounds.''

There is a fee for admission and it is a good idea to check the calendar when planning your visit to be sure that a section of the facility will not be closed for a private function.