Late October at Maymont

Maymont is a wonderful place to be in late Autumn.   I never shared my photos here when Steve and I took his brother and sister in law from Florida last year for a visit  mid October.   They enjoyed touring the Dooley mansion and grounds with us.   We like showing our company  around  Richmond and surrounding counties,  lots here to see.     It became overcast and was  misting from time to time.   Doesn't bother me much as I like walking in the rain under an umbrella.     

Some lovely fall flowers on our walk

nice gazebo to sit and rest on the walk

Massive Oaks and other trees on the property

Italian gardens

The roses showing off  before the winter sets in.  

We took this walk to the Japanese garden

Reflections

Calming , soothing

soothing sound of raindrops hitting the water

Waters edge at the Japanese garden

Touring Maymont

My husband and I toured Maymont House tuesday before all of the decorations were taken down.  Opulence is the word I use to describe the Dooleys,  their decorating style was  ecclectic.   Statue to greet you at the entrance,  draperies hung at  two doorways,( 2 is what I remember anyway)  gorgeous china.  The swan bed in her bedroom brought from their summer home "Swannoa".   Oak trim and paneling in home is local and beautifully carved.

It was Fun to see how an 1893 Christmas was spent by the Dooleys.

Beautiful tree decorated with handmade ornaments, such as paper cones and glittered pictures that looked like this one I purchased from "Through the Garden Gate".  I must  make some of these next year.  Our guide told us that presents would be tucked into the branches with the decorations. 

The best I can show of the tree is this Poster that greeted us from the gazebo coming onto the grounds

Beautiful green garlands were strung in one room from the chandelier to four corners of the ceiling.

The packages were wrapped in white paper and tied with red ribbons.

Mrs. Dooley we were told - liked to use red satin ribbons in her home for Christmas.   The bows were simply tied,  I like that better.

They were beautiful.  

Upstairs was a sitting area  with wrappings , ribbons and such, as if packages were in the process of being wrapped.

ribbon was strung leading from the light fixture in the ceiling with childrens names.  We were told that the children would have their name attached to a ribbon and the child would follow it to a gift,  some gifts were in chairs.

I think I may try that next year with some little ones.

Beautiful wreaths outside and in. 

This home is a must see if visiting Richmond , Va. 

 View from entrance into home

Beautiful light fixture on porch entrance

View of statues from entrance looking towards river

James Center - downtown Richmond

The children - Steven and Jenn and grandchildren , Ryan and Tyler came to visit on Sunday.  After exchanging Christmas gifts,  we took a ride downtown afterwards to see the Christmas decorations.  The children loved it and a good time we all had. 

Beautiful clear skies as we are heading downtown.   I did notice that downtown didn't seem to be as lit up as last year.   Everywhere seemed different this year. 

Reflections in glass on bldgs.

James Center Sculpture

closeup of one of the sculptures

I put the Christmas decoration of  the James Center here - http://betsy-wiildwoodchristmasandcrafts.blogspot.com/

Hollywood - Part three - The End

This is the last of the posting of Hollywood Cemetary. The Mausoleums and a few of the beautiful monuments to various persons laid to rest here. 

Mausoleums built into the side of the hill.

It has been said , they are haunted. 

There is a few stories floating around as to why and those stories  can be found if you do a search on the internet.

Beautiful stained glass in on of the mausoleums.

entrance doors

click on to enlarge

massive roots of magnolia

View of James River - Southern boundary

I was told by a visitor I met in the cemetary this day, that this stone monument  was a whisper wall.  

 I sat  on one end and Carolyn sat on the other,  my voice did carry to the other side .  We could carry on a conversation sitting on opposite ends;  speaking barely above a whisper.  I can't find anything that says this is what it is really called.