Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 69, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 March 1914 — EARLY VIRGINIAN MANSIONS [ARTICLE]

EARLY VIRGINIAN MANSIONS

Argument Advanced That They Be Thrown Open to the Public. It has bean suggested that Several of the beautiful places ou the James River, such as “Westover,” “Shirley,” and “Powhattan,” be kept open for touriata and visitors. It is true, that these splendid relics of the past are private property and that it would seem to be invading the home -flft of people of refinement who would naturally resent such an lmpertinenoe; bat In England there are certain days when the famous country seats can be visited and the butler housekeeper, caretaker, or special servant goes around with the tourists and shows the pictures, the banquet hall, and the state chambers Virginia is still, after a lapse of a century and a half, more English in character than any part of the United States. The architecture of these grand old mansions is worthy the attention of the student, especially in these days of the renaissance es the Colonial style. They are perfect examples and possibly the only ones of that period. The Jamestown Exhibition hea been called one purely American and its purport la dear to the -heart el every true Virginian. Perhaps the owners of these historic places will arrange with some of the steamboat and steamship and railway companies tor “days” on which the estates can be visited. If a small fse waa charged, it could go either to maintaining the services of a lecturer and guide or to some charity, aa the owners would never avail themselves of nevenoe from suoh a source. There are yet standing a few old mansiosM in Maryland, and also along the picturesque Eastern shore, but only a few of the estates, such sa the famous Oaorrol manor approach in magnitude those famous homesteads on the James.—Town and Country.