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Heritage Weekend at Historic Bloemendaal

April 13, Saturday, Noon - 3 p.m.; April 14, Sunday, Noon - 4 p.m.

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Details:

Included with Garden admission.

Enjoy tours of Bloemendaal House and imagine its early days as the original Lakeside Wheel Club. The weekend is full of music and activities highlighting the Garden's past; please see the schedule below.
NEW THIS YEAR: The Alberti Flea Circus and Strolling Street Organ Show!

Strolling and serenading through the Garden
Saturday and Sunday, 12:30 to 3 p.m.
Four In The Morning
This quartet from The Virginians Barbershop Chorus recalls popular music from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Historic Bloemendaal House
Saturday, Noon to 3 p.m.; Sunday, Noon to 4 p.m.
Open House
Garden Guides welcome you into Bloemendaal, originally the Lakeside Wheel Club built by Lewis Ginter in 1894 and the home of Grace Arents from 1913 until her death in 1926.  In the Lecture Hall, linger to watch the 30-minute documentary, Lewis Ginter:  A Quiet Contribution (showings at 12:15, 1:15, and 2:15) and view a special exhibit on The Entrepreneurial Mr. Ginter. A special thanks to the Richmond Designers’ Guild for floral arrangements.

On the Lawn of Bloemendaal House
Sunday, Noon to 4 p.m.
On Richmond’s Wheel  by Thomas Houff
Thomas Houff signs his new book, On Richmond’s Wheel; copies available for sale.

Under the Bloemendaal House Tent
Saturday and Sunday at 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.
The Titanic String Band
Enjoy 30-minute performances of ragtime-era music by Peter LaBau, banjo and Mitch Nelin, mando-cello.

Strolling the Grace Arents Garden
Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 3 p.m.
Miss Grace and Uncle Lewis
A costumed interpreter portraying Grace Arents enjoys spring blooms in the Garden with her uncle, Lewis Ginter.

On the Lawn of Bloemendaal House
Throughout the afternoon
Vintage Bicycles on Display
Cycling enthusiasts, gather around a display of vintage bicycles, enjoy learning about bicycle history, and imagine Bloemendaal House in its heyday as the Lakeside Wheel Club.

Under the Children’s Garden Tent
Saturday and Sunday shows at 1 and 3 p.m.; parade at 2 p.m.
The Alberti Flea Circus and Strolling Street Organ Show
The Alberti Flea Circus, one of only a few flea circuses touring the country, traces its beginnings to the 1880’s.  Alberti’s unique troupe of dare-devil fleas have performed across the U.S., and have a special taste for Richmond audiences.  As an added bonus, Jim Alberti will lead a parade for kazoo-playing kids through the Children’s Garden, to the magical sound of his authentic 20-note street organ.  

For your further enjoyment and entertainment near Bloemendaal House:

• Dress-up trunk and photo opportunities under the Darlington Oak
  
• The Ice Cream Connection selling hand-dipped ice cream cones
  

Guest Dining Opportunities

• Garden Café in the Robins Visitors Center: Saturday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  
• Robins Tea House: Open 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.; Sunday Brunch by reservation, 262-9887, ext. 329

A Million Blooms continues through June 2
Celebrate spring with A Million Blooms -- offering a million ways to have fun in the Garden and featuring a spectacular succession of blooms including daffodils, cherry blossoms, tulips, iris, roses and peonies.

Pinwheels for Prevention through April 30
In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, 3,000+ pinwheels have been planted along the edge of Lake Sydnor near the Children’s Garden; each represents a child served this past year by Prevent Child Abuse Virginia’s Healthy Families program.