Belvoir

Belvoir
A Colonial Revival Landmark in the Piedmont

The Plains, Virginia
Prepared for
The Garden Club of Virginia
Prepared by
Cheryl L. Miller
2014 Rudy J. Favretti Fellow

Copyright 2014 by The Garden Club of Virginia.

All Rights Reserved.
Images:
Images included in this report without other credits were made by the author.
Reproduction:
All material contained herein is the intellectual property of the Garden Club of Virginia except where noted.
Permission for reproduction, except for personal use, must be obtained from:
The Fellowship Committee, Chair
The Garden Club of Virginia
The Kent-Valentine House
12 East Franklin Street
Richmond, VA 23219
www.gcvirginia.org
Belvoir
Cheryl L. Miller
2014 Rudy J. Favretti Fellow

Belvoir Formal Boxwood Garden, 1927. Mary Moore Personal Collection.
ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
With great appreciation, I thank the Garden Club of Virginia for the opportunity to serve as the 2014 Rudy J.
Favretti Fellow, and for the GCVs ongoing commitment to the documentation of Virginias landscape heritage
through this unique fellowship program.
I extend many thanks to Will Rieley, Karen Kennedy, Roxanne Brouse, Kim Nash, Marty Moore, Emily Wolf,
Phyllis Andersen, and the Garden Club of Virginia Restoration and Fellowship Committee members for their
assistance and support throughout the fellowship. Your expert guidance and enthusiasm elevated the work and
made the experience a truly memorable one.
My gratitude goes out to the many local individuals, especially Jay Adams and Wayne Eastham, who shared their
knowledge of all things related to Belvoirs story. In particular, I would like to thank Robert Gaskins, Belvoir
gardener since 1962, for his time and wealth of information. To Polly Rowley and the ladies of the Fauquier and
Loudon Garden Club, I thank you for welcoming me to the neighborhood with true Southern hospitality.
Mary Moore deserves special mention and my utmost gratitude for her willingness and efforts to share Harrison
family historic photos, manuscripts, and oral history. I am so thankful that Kim Nash found you.
I wish to thank the descendants of Arthur F. Paul and Oglesby Paul for their interest in my research as it relates to
their grandfathers, and for their efforts to help uncover the story of these largely forgotten landscape architects. It is
my sincere hope that their stories will eventually be told, and their contributions to the practice of professional
landscape architecture better understood and acknowledged.
I would also like to acknowledge the archivists and staff of the Virginia Historical Society, Archives of American
Gardens at the Smithsonian Institute, University of Virginia Library Special Collections, College of William and
Mary Library Special Collections, Middleburg Reality, Athenaeum of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Horticultural
iii
Society, Fauquier County Public Library, Fauquier Heritage and Preservation Foundation, Hershey Archives, The
Cultural Landscape Foundation, Garden Club of America, and Garden Club of Virginia.
Lastly, I would like to thank my daughters and husband for their patience with, and support of, my academic
pursuitsonce again. Your love and enthusiasm mean everything to me. I promise that this really is the last
academic degree.
iv
I wish to dedicate this report to the memory of Hetty Cary Harrison, truly one of Virginias most brilliant
daughters.
Hetty Harrison Standing in the Formal

Boxwood Garden at Belvoir on the Occasion
Of Ursula Harrisons Wedding. October, 1920.
Photograph from Mary Moore Personal Collection.
I would also like to dedicate this report to Robert Gaskins, Belvoir gardener since 1962. Like those unnamed
gardeners who have skillfully tended Belvoir before him, Roberts expertise and dedication have sustained Belvoirs
gardens over the years, allowing them to age with grace and dignity.
The secret of landscapes isnt creationIts maintenance.

Michael Dolan
vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction ..
Page 1
Site Maps..
Page 11
Setting and Historical Context.
Page 17
The Harrison Era: Swampoodle to Belvoir.
Page 23
The Pawley Era: Belvoir as Country Retreat..
Page 63
The Bowman Era: Belvoir as Horse Center
Page 75
Belvoir in the 21st Century: Description of the Current Landscape
Page 81
Concluding Remarks
Page 101
Appendices
Page 105
vii
Belvoir House From the Formal Boxwood Garden, 2014.
viii
1907 Belvoir Barn as Seen From Former Kitchen Garden, 2014.
INTRODUCTION
BELVOIR FARM I THE PLAINS, VA
Belvoir Farm is a privately held, 896-acre working farm located
in Fauquier County in the upper Piedmont cultural region of

Northern Virginia. Although only fifty miles west of Washington
D.C., the setting is still distinctly rural, characterized by the open
spaces of Virginias wine and horse country. Since the turn of the
20th century, Fauquier County has been a popular destination for
wealthy urban dwellers looking for access to equestrian pursuits,
hunting, and a picturesque setting for their country retreats.
Steeped in equestrian tradition, and consisting of a bucolic
countryside of farms and vineyards in close proximity to D.C.,
Fauquier County is currently one of the highest income counties
in the United States.1
Belvoir Farm was largely created by Fairfax and Hetty Harrison
Figure 1- 1: Map of Fauquier County, VA 1914. Belvoir House,

and the Nearby Hamlet of Belvoir, in Close Proximity to the
Southern Railway Tracks. Accessed on November 5, 2014 at
http://www.fauquiercounty.gov/documents/departments/gis/
pdf/1914_FAUQ_ORIGINAL_MAP.pdf
in the early 20th century. A lawyer by training, Fairfax spent nearly his entire professional life working for the
Southern Railway Co., and the last 24 years as President. Under his skillful leadership, the Southern Railway Co.
weathered both World War I and the Great Depression, and experienced unprecedented expansion and
profitability during the heyday of the railroads.2,3 Fairfax was also a scholar of Virginia history and genealogy, and
authored a number of books and manuscripts on these topics.4 Hetty was an authority on gardening, landscape
history, and landscape design.5 She was a pioneering force within the Garden Club of Virginia, and also held
numerous leadership positions within the Garden Club of America and the American Horticultural Society. Hetty
was very involved with the Mount Vernon Ladies Association, the Colonial Dames, and the Mary Washington
Monument Association. A highly educated woman herself, schools and education were also among her great
interests. 6
The Harrisons named their farm after Belvoir on the Potomac,
the home of Fairfaxs ancestor, William Fairfax.7 They began

assembling Belvoir Farm in 1906 with the initial purchase of a
332-acre farm known as Fair Fountains. Fairfax, then a Vice
President with the Southern Railway Co., was likely attracted to
the purchase of Fair Fountains because of the farms proximity to
the Manassas Branch of the Southern Railroad (figure 1-1).
Shortly after the purchase of Fair Fountains in May of 1906, he
arranged to have side track and a passenger shelter installed on
his property to facilitate transport of building and farm materials,
and to allow for ease of travel for his family and neighbors.8
Figure 1- 2: Original Belvoir H ouse Completed in 1907. (Undated
Photo, Mary Moore Personal Collection)
Figure 1- 3: Expanded Belvoir House. (Undated Photo, Mary

Moore Personal Collection)
With the purchase of Fair Fountains in June of 1906 complete,

the Harrisons wasted no time in renaming the property Belvoir
Farm, adding multiple farm related buildings and structures, and
transforming the existing modest brick dwelling and associated
grounds and gardens into Belvoir, their grander Colonial Revival
estate.9,10 The original Fair Fountains dwelling was encased
within the much larger Belvoir house, and was completed in the
fall of 1907 (figure 1-2). Within less than a decade, the mansion
was further enlarged with the addition of two large symmetrical
wings (figure 1-3). Building activity at Belvoir continued
throughout the Harrison tenure, with the addition of numerous
stone walls, a tennis court, and eventually a stone guest cottage in
the garden (figure 1-4).
While a 1906 plat of Belvoir Farm
(figure 1-5) indicates that a large

rectangular garden existed behind
the original dwelling at Fair
Fountains, nothing is known of the
character of that garden at the time
the Harrisons assumed ownership.
The historic photographic record
does indicate that Hetty, extremely
knowledgeable in horticulture,
landscape history, and landscape
design principles, oversaw a
remarkable transformation of that
garden space (figures 1-4, 1-6).11
Ultimately, that large rectangular
garden area became her Colonial
Revival boxwood garden, the most
formal garden on the property,
which she continued to edit and
revise until she died. The rest of the
nearly 15 acres of formal grounds
surrounding the mansion were
similarly shaped and transformed
over time, resulting in cutting and
kitchen gardens, expansive rolling
lawns, a tennis court, and dense
groves of tree plantings (figure 1-7).
Figure 1- 4: Aerial Photo of Belvoir Formal Grounds and House. Approximate Date Late 1930s.
(Undated Photo, Mary Moore Personal Collection)
Fairfax appears to have intended from the outset that
Belvoir Farm would be a productive and profitable farm.

Immediately after purchasing Fair Fountains, he invested
heavily in new barns and other farm buildings, as well as
modern farm implements.12 Belvoir Farm was expanded
twice through the acquisition of adjoining properties, once
in 1911 and again in 1925, ultimately consolidating 685
acres.13,14 Fairfaxs personal papers reveal his
commitment to gathering advice and information on
current and best farming practices, and suggest he was
highly involved in the details of the farm operation.15
After Fairfax died in February of 1938, Hetty remained in

residence at Belvoir until 1941. From 1941 until her
death in June of 1943, Hetty leased Belvoir and the
surrounding formal grounds while she lived at Edenburn,
a smaller dwelling located elsewhere on Belvoir Farm,
with two of her four children. Details from the lease
Figure 1- 5: 1906 Plat of Farm for F. Harrison, Fauquier County, VA.
agreement indicate Hetty and her staff continued to run
(Accession No. 1999.160.592, The Virginia Historical Society,
the farm operation, and to care for and maintain her
www.vahistorical.org)
beloved Belvoir gardens and grounds until the time of her death.16 After some amount of difficulty selling such a
large and expensive property during the lean war time years, her executors sold Belvoir Farm to William D. Pawley
in April of 1944.17,18
A wealthy businessman who had made a fortune selling planes to China during WW II, William Pawley had
returned to the U.S. in 1944 to pursue political interests in Washington D.C. William and Edna Pawley owned
multiple homes, with Belvoir serving as a part-time country retreat. At Belvoir Farm, they could indulge Pawleys
interests in hunting and fishing, and host events and parties for their political friends such as President
5
Eisenhower.19,20 During their tenure, the Pawleys

renovated the mansion, and introduced changes and
updates to the formal grounds, and within the larger
farm property. In the early 1950s, Edna hired D.C.
landscape architect Rose Greely to update Belvoirs
gardens, with an emphasis on refreshing the
plantings in the formal boxwood garden and much
of the hardscape surrounding the mansion.21 The
Pawleys continued to own Belvoir Farm until 1960,
at which time they sold the property to businessman
E. Delong Bowman of the A. Smith Bowman
Distillery in Fairfax County.22
The Bowmans maintained the property as a
working farm during their ownership, while

introducing a number of new features. These
included a large purebred and commercial cattle
operation, thoroughbred race horses, a covered
indoor track and an outdoor racetrack, two manmade ponds, and a pool and an extensive boxwood
hedge within the formal grounds (figure 1-8).
Belvoir Farm during the Bowman era reached 870
acres in size, and had become one of the best
thoroughbred horse operations in Virginia at the
time.23 The Bowmans sold the property to the Carl
Fischer in 1976.
Figure 1- 6 A): Above Photograph of Formal Boxwood Garden in Early Stages of

Development. Approximate Date 1910-1915. B) Below Photograph of Formal
Boxwood Garden Photographed from Second Floor of House in 1927. (Mary
Moore Personal Collection)
Since 1976, Belvoir Farm has remained largely focused on
Figure 1-7: Above Undated Aerial Photo of Belvoir and Formal

Grounds. Approximate Date Early 1930s Based on Unfinished State of
Stone Cottage. (Mary Moore Personal Collection)
Figure 1-8: Below Aerial Photo From 1976 Real Estate Brochure,
Middleburg Real Estate Co. Belvoir Farm Property Line is Outlined.
(Middleburg Real Estate and Atoka Properties Archives)

agricultural pursuits as an active farm of 896 acres. While the

property has evolved since 1976, changes to the formal
residence and grounds of Belvoir consist largely of either loss
of aging plant material to weather and time, or modernization
of existing structures. Examples of such modernization
include the garden temple conversion into a pool house, new
metal roofs on the stone guest cottage and monopteros, and a
fairly substantial renovation of the mansions interior.
Changes that have taken place at Belvoir during the Fischers
tenure have been sensitive to minimizing the impact on the
historic landscape and building exteriors, focused mostly on
interiors of structures, and maintaining existing plant
materials located throughout the formal grounds.
Over the years, Belvoir has been home to prominent business
men and political figures, photographed by Frances Benjamin

Johnston, and impacted by the work of landscape architects
Oglesby Paul and Rose Greely, and Colonial Revival
architects Wyeth & Cresson and Waddy B. Wood. Belvoirs
residence, formal grounds, and gardens represent a significant
example of the Colonial Revival country place genre that
emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, coincident
with the popularization of the historic preservation and
landscape architecture professions. Belvoir is also significant
for its association with Fairfax and Hetty Harrison, two
notable historic Virginians in their own right. This report
attempts to chronicle the evolution of the formal gardens and
grounds surrounding the Belvoir mansion, from the beginning of the Harrison era through today. This project has
also attempted to bring to light a greater appreciation for both the people who created Belvoir and Belvoir Farm,
and for those who have stewarded the property into the 21st century. My investigation has relied on analysis of
existing conditions and oral histories, as well as detailed study of historical manuscripts, photographs, newspapers,
and architectural drawings. What emerges from this three-month long study is a partial understanding of the
Harrisons Colonial Revival vision for Belvoir, what remains of that vision from the Harrison era, and a better
appreciation of the extent to which each of the four owners has shaped the landscape of Belvoir Farm. It is my
hope that the findings presented in this report will inspire future research on the gardens and grounds at Belvoir, as
well as the people who have stewarded Belvoir Farm over time.

1Morello,
Carol, and Ted Mellnik. 2012. Seven of Nations 10 Most Affluent Counties are in Washington Region. The Washington Post, September 20.
Accessed September 30, 2014. http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/seven-of-nations-10-most-affluent-counties-are-in-washingtonregion/2012/09/19/f580bf30-028b-11e2-8102-ebee9c66e190_story.html
2 Unknown. 1938. Fairfax Harrison. The Richmond News Leader, February 3, editorial. Accession number 1843, Fairfax Harrison Papers 1911-1943, Special
Collections, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, VA.
3 Harrison, Fairfax. October 21, 1937. Letter to all officers of the Southern Railway System announcing President Harrisons intention to retire. Accession
number 1843, Fairfax Harrison Papers 1911-1943, Special Collections, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, VA.
4 Unknown. Fairfax Harrison. Wikipedia. Accessed on November 3, 2014 at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairfax_Harrison
5 Hetty Harrisons personal library contained a large collection of both historic and contemporary books on horticulture, botany, and landscape design. Many
of her books were donated to William and Mary, and are located at the Swem Library.
6 Baird, Ursula. April 22, 1970. Letter from Ursula Baird to Mrs. Martin at the Garden Club of Virginia regarding Hetty Harrison. Garden Club of Virginia
Archives, Kent Valentine House, Richmond, VA.
7 Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission. 1979. Survey Form, Belvoir. File no. 30-80.
8 Harrison, Fairfax. June 11, 1906. Letter to H.B.S. at the Southern Railway Co. proposing that Fairfax Harrison would pay to have side track and a
passenger shelter installed near Belvoir. Fairfax Harrison Papers 1736-1945. Special Collections, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
9 Fauquier County Circuit Court Archives, Deed Book Grantees H to L 1759-1914, page 35.
10 Harrison, Fairfax. 1906-1907. Correspondence with Harris Bros. General Contractors, and Wyeth and Cresson Architects. Fairfax Harrison Papers 17361945, Special Collections, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
11 Hetty Harrisons personal library contained a large collection of both historic and contemporary books on horticulture, botany, and landscape design. Many
of her books were donated to William and Mary, and are located at the Swem Library.
12 Harrison, Fairfax. 1906-1907. Correspondence with Harris Bros. General Contractors, and Wyeth and Cresson Architects. Fairfax Harrison Papers 17361945. Special Collections, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
13 Fauquier County Circuit Court Archives, Deed Book 106, page 134.

Harrison, Fairfax. May 16, 1910. Memorandum of grass mixture used on Belvoir Farm, Fauquier County, Virginia. Fairfax Harrison Papers 1736-1945.
Special Collections, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
16 Harrison, Hetty. April 12, 1941. Belvoir lease agreement between Hetty Harrison and Hamilton Robinson. Fairfax Harrison Papers 1886-1973, Mss1
H2463 q 538-555, Virginia Historical Society Archives.
17 Ryland, S.P. 1943-1944. Correspondence between First and Merchants National Bank of Richmond, and Mrs. Charles Baird and Mrs. G.H. Dieke
concerning the estate of Hetty Harrison. Fairfax Harrison Papers 1886-1973, Mss1 H2463 q 594-609, Virginia Historical Society Archives.
18 Unknown. 1944. China Swashbuckler buys Showplace at Warrenton. The Washington Post, April 22, page 3.
19 Carrozza, Anthony R. 2012. William D. Pawley: The Extraordinary Life of the Adventurer, Entrepreneur, and Diplomat Who Cofounded the Flying Tigers. Washington
D.C.: Potomac Books, 183, 189, and 193.
20 Pattee, Dorothea. 1953. Fauquier Folk Live High and Handsome. The Washington Post, April 12, page S3.
21 Greely, Rose. 1952-1953. Pawley, Mrs. William, Belvoir The Plains, Virginia. Rose Greely Papers. MSS 10772. Special Collections, University of
Virginia.
22 Unknown. 1960. Belvoir Estate Bought by E. DeLong Bowman. The Fauquier Democrat, December 1, page 1.
23 Middleburg Real Estate. 1960. Belvoir Farm Brochure. Middleburg Real Estate Archives.
15
10
11
Google Earth I mage of B elvoir Farm. Property Line Delineated in Dashed Outline.
12
13
PLAN OF BELVOIR FORMAL GROUNDS

14
FORMAL BOXWOOD GARDEN IMAGES

15
FORMAL BOXWOOD GARDEN PLAN

16
A Belvoir Farm Building in the Distance as Seen From Harrison Road, 2014.
17
SETTING AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT

THE PLAINS: AGRICULTURAL TRADITIONS
Belvoir Farm is located in the town of The Plains in the northeast portion of present day Fauquier County.
Fauquier County is situated in the Upper Piedmont region of Northern Virginia, between the Piedmont and the
Blue Ridge Mountains. In the late 17th century the land now known as Fauquier County was listed as part of the
land grant known as the Northern Neck Propriety, initially under the ownership of Lord Culpeper and later under
Lord Fairfax. 1 The area remained largely unsettled by colonists until Governor Spotswood negotiated the 1722
Treaty of Albany with the Iroquois tribe, and secured the area for settlement. In 1759 Fauquier County was
established from a section of land previously considered Prince William County. The County was named in honor
of Francis Fauquier, the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony of Virginia at the time. Considered to be one of the
most popular of the Royal Governors, Francis Fauquier was sympathetic towards the American colonies, and
remained friendly with men such as Thomas Jefferson until his death in 1768.2
Early settlers were drawn to Fauquier County for its fertile soils, plentiful timber, and abundant waterways.3
During the mid-18th century tobacco was the main cash crop, with various other crops grown on a subsistence basis.
By the late 18th century, wheat had replaced tobacco as the primary export crop in Fauquier County.4
Improvements in farming methods and techniques brought greater prosperity to Fauquier County farmers in the
first half of the 19th century, as did new transportation routes and methods that helped to link Fauquier farms with
distant markets in Alexandria, Georgetown, and D.C.5
Following the Civil War, Fauquier County farmers faced a war-devastated economy and the demise of their labor
system. Eventually, agricultural reforms and reorganized railroads played a large part in the economic recovery of
the area, allowing for expedited transport of larger crops to more distant urban centers, and giving rise to
associated local industries. By the late 19th century, both the Orange & Alexandria and the Manassas Gap

18
railroads were part of the Southern Railway system, which had become the primary transporter of goods in this
area.6 In a letter to the agricultural journal The Southern Planter, Southern Railway Co. President Fairfax Harrison
outlined the many ways his company was advancing agriculture in the South. The Southern Railway Co.
had on staff agricultural agents and market agents that advised farmers on best farming practices, and connected
local farmers with potential buyers and markets. Fairfax Harrison wrote:
It is the agents business to bring Southern producers into touch with buyers and to advise buyers where the products
which they want may be obtained along the lines of the Southern Railway systemthe Company is able to be helpful to
farmers along its lines in all stages of their operations to the final sale of their products.7
Through the first half of

the 20th century, the
railroad was a major force
in the physical and
economic development of
Fauquier County by
supporting agricultural
business, and providing
convenient personal
transportation to and from
the area.8 By the mid-20th
century, however, the
automobile had largely
replaced the railroads and
Fauquiers railroads
stopped providing
passenger and freight
services altogether.
Figure 2- 1: Map of Fauquier County, VA 1876. R.E. Peyton Land Circled in Red Corresponds to Future Site o f Belvoir Farm. Accessed on November
5, 2014 at http://www.fauquiercounty.gov/documents/departments/gis/pdf/1876_FAUQ_ORIGINAL_MAP.pdf
19
Throughout the early 20th century, Fauquier County remained a predominantly rural area, dotted with small
crossroad communities serving as commercial centers. The unbroken, open countryside of Fauquier County lent
itself to fox hunting, drawing wealthy equestrians to the area, and bringing an element of gentrification to Fauquier
County at the turn of the century. Prominent families bought up large properties so they could spend the hunting
season in the area, eventually building impressive country places for extended stays and entertaining. The Orange
County Hunt, a prestigious hunt club for wealthy New Yorkers, travelled to Fauquier in private railroad cars. The
Orange County Hunt was so enamored with the location that it eventually relocated the clubhouse from Orange
County, New York, to the town of The Plains in Fauquier County.9 By 1917, The Plains and other picturesque
destinations within the Piedmont Region were advertised by the Southern Railway Company in travel brochures
that showcased impressive area estates, hunt clubs, and other area amenities.10
Figure 2- 2: Comparative Analysis of Belvoir Site Context Using Aerial Photographs. A) 1937 Aerial Photograph (Fauquier County GIS Department Archives).
B) 1965 Aerial Photograph (Fauquier County GIS Department Archives). C) Aerial Photograph of Current Belvoir Site Context (Google Earth Image). Study
Area of Belvoir House a nd Formal Grounds Outlined in Red Box.
20
Belvoir Farm was built on land that was once
part of a grant to Reverend Alexander Scott

of 8000 acres.11 In May of 1906, Fairfax
Harrison purchased the initial 372-acre Fair
Fountains farm from Annie Lee Peyton, who
had inherited the land from her aunt
Margaret C. Peyton (figure 2-1).12 Fairfax
may have had ambitions to expand Belvoir
Farm from the very beginning, given that he
specifically requested a commissioned survey
of the property in 1906 to include information
on all abutters to his parcel (figure 1-5).13 In
September of 1911, the Gaines heirs conveyed
to Fairfax 115 acres of abutting farm, and
later in October of 1925 Farmers Bank
conveyed the deed for 198 1/8 acres of
Figure 2- 3: Views of The Blue Ridge Foothills From Harrison Road, Facing West in Front of abutting farmland, bringing Belvoir Farm to
Belvoir, 2014.
685 acres during the Harrison era.14,15
Subsequent owners would further modify the farm acreage, reaching 870 acres in size during the Bowman era and
ultimately settling at 896 acres today.16,17
At present, Fauquier County remains a predominantly rural area characterized by large and small farms, historic
roadways, and a cohesive picturesque landscape at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Despite the
proximity to D.C. and other large centers in northern Virginia, Fauquier County remains true to its agricultural
and equestrian heritage, and is often considered the heart of Virginias horse country. Consequently, Belvoir
Farms site context today remains largely reflective of its early 20th century setting, with large farms and dispersed
homesteads surrounding the property, and unobstructed views of the foothills (figures 2-2, 2-3).
21

Fauquier Historical Society. Colonial Times in Fauquier County. What You Should Know About Fauquier History. Accessed October 27, 2014 from
http://www.fauquierhistory.com/index.cfm?pagesID=3
2 Fauquier County, Virginia. About Fauquier County. Accessed October 27, 2014 from http://www.visitfauquier.com/aboutfauquier.html
3 Carr, Lois Green. 1987. Adaptation and Settlement in the Colonial Chesapeake. St. Marys City Research Series No. 6. St. Marys City, Maryland.
4 Poland, Charles Preston Jr. 1976. From Frontier to Suburbia. Missouri: Walsworth Publishing Company. Pages 27-28.
5 Ibid, pages 116-117.
6 Southern Railway Historical Association. Southern Railway History. Accessed November 12, 2014 from
http://www.srha.net/public/History/history.htm
7 Harrison, Fairfax. 1915. Letter to the editor. The Southern Planter, 76th Year. July. Pages 431-432.
8 Town of the Plains. A Brief History of The Plains, Virginia. About Us Our History. Accessed October 27, 2014 from
http://www.theplainsvirginia.org/about-us
9 Khalifa, Daisy Ridgway. 2012. A Day in the Country. Virginia Living. February. Accessed October 29, 2014 from
http://www.virginialiving.com/exploring/a-day-in-the-country/
10 Town of the Plains. A Brief History of The Plains, Virginia. About Us Our History. Accessed October 27, 2014 from
http://www.theplainsvirginia.org/about-us
11 Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission. 1979. Survey Form, Belvoir. File no. 30-80.
13 Richards, Paul C. 1906. Letter to Mr. Harrison regarding including adjacent landowners to the plat of Belvoir. Fairfax Harrison Papers 1736-1945.
Special Collections, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
17 Fauquier County, Virginia. GIS parcel mapper tool, accessed October 30, 2014 at http://maps.fauquiercounty.gov/
1
22
Belvoir Formal Boxwood Garden as Seen From Second Floor of House, 2014.
23
THE HARRISON ERA: 1906-1944

SWAMPOODLE TO BELVOIR
The Harrisons
The eldest son of Constance Cary and Burton Norvell Harrison, Fairfax
Harrison was born in New York on March 13, 1869. He attended Yale
College and later attended both the Law School and School of Political
Science at Columbia University.1 Fairfax was admitted to the New York
Bar in 1892 and spent five years in the New York office of Bangs, Stetson,
Tracy and MacVeagh.2 In May 1896 he relocated to Washington D.C. to
become Solicitor of the Southern Railway Company. He held several
positions within the Southern Railway Company, ultimately serving as
President for 24 years before his retirement (figure 3-1).3 Fairfax spent his
entire young life in and around New York, with summer holidays at Lenox,
Massachusetts and Bar Harbor, Maine. The one exception was the
summer of 1889 spent in Knoxville, Tennessee and Middlesborough,
Kentucky where he met Hetty Cary.4
Hetty Cary was born in Richmond, Virginia on August 6, 1871, the eldest
Figure 3- 1: Fairfax Harrison. (Undated

Photograph, Accession No. 2001.493.3.A-D, The
Virginia Historical Society)
daughter of Frances Daniel and John Brune Cary (figure 3-2). Hetty was
raised in Baltimore County, Maryland and was educated by her
grandmother at the Southern Home School in Baltimore.5 She lived for
several years in Knoxville and Middlesborough while her father was
engaged in business there. Hetty summered in Bar Harbor for several
seasons, and spent the entirety of 1891 abroad in Italy.6
24
On June 6, 1894 Fairfax and Hetty were married at St. Marks Church in Baltimore County, Maryland.7 Their
early married life was spent living in Staten Island, New York until they relocated to Washington D.C. in 1896,
Figure 3- 2: Dated and Undated Photographs from Mary Moore Personal Collection
where they remained in full time residence until 1906.8 The Harrisons had four children over the course of
eighteen years: Constance Cary Harrison, born on March 30, 1895; Ursula Fairfax Harrison, born on December
14, 1897; Richard Harrison, born on August 14, 1906; and Sally Cary Fairfax Harrison, born on February 7,
1913.9
25
When the Harrisons relocated to Fauquier County in 1906, they were making a deliberate choice to raise their
children away from the vagaries they associated with modern city life. Fairfax clearly stated their concerns with
raising their children in town in the following excerpt from an unsent letter to Mr. Finley, then the President of the
Southern Railway Co.
... I am sure that you will understand the effort I am making to educate my children away from the current habit of
domestic publicity. The daily newspapers, the cheap monthly magazines, and other widely distributed publications, are
filled with the names and pictures of unimportant people men, women and even children their houses, their
automobiles, their horses, their dogs, their sports, which are of no intrinsic interest and serve only to tickle an appetite for
prominence and display of what money can bring. We know that these things are solicited and that they are usually paid
advertisements, so that every such publication of a chapter of the life of a private person is infected with a suspicion that it
springs from personal vanity.
Because it is difficult in town to resist the malady of which this is a symptom, my wife and I have elected to bring
up our children in the country, in the endeavor to secure for them that simplicity of mind which is still characteristic of the
Virginia country people, as it always was of their ancestors, and seems to me to be the best guaranty of a contented life in a
restless age. 10
Employment with the Southern Railway Co. required that Fairfax be away from home much of the time,
particularly when he was based in Chicago between 1906-1913. During this time, Fairfax and Hetty corresponded
frequently by letter and telegram, a subset of which have been preserved and archived.11 These surviving
correspondences, primarily written by Fairfax to Hetty, provide valuable insight into the domestic life of the
Harrisons at Belvoir, as well as insight into Fairfaxs personality and prevailing attitudes. Despite being absent for
extended periods of time, he appears to have been deeply committed to his family and their life in the country at
Belvoir, as the following correspondence excerpts indicate.
Every time I go home, I long with renewed enthusiasm that my fortune permitted my organizing my life in the country,
but the problems of the great world are worth fighting for. My only regret is that 20 years of service under our conditions
do not seem any longer to bring the reward of leisure to invite ones soul.12
26
Your budget of home news this morning may have been prosaic as you say but it was very welcome and more so than all
the poetry on earth. Nothing makes home as dear as a record of peace and cheerful developments and I have been with you
recently enough and long enough to enable me to conjure every word of your news into vivid reality.13
I spent last night taking a bath of poetry, which is a useful bit of mental hygiene to be practiced occasionally. In Shelley,
I came on the verses I am sending you, which voice my feeling about Belvoir, blessed resort of high principle and sweet
living. When I think of the joy of staying there, I remember Tennysons Odysseus read it. It all applies to me except
the old wife. Mine will never grow old or at least seem so to me.
Shelleys Epipsychidion
And I have fitted up some chambers there
Looking towards the golden Eastern air
And level with the living winds, which flow
Like waves above the waving corn below
I have sent books and music there and all
Those instruments with which high spirits call
The future from its cradle, and the past
Out of its grave, and make the present last
In thoughts and joys which sleep, but cannot die,
Folded within their own eternity. 14
Consistent with the unsent letter to Mr. Finley, the Harrison manuscripts also reveal how intensely private Fairfax
was, and how much he deplored any form of publicity. Belvoir was the Harrisons private sanctuary and they went
to great lengths to protect that privacy. Throughout his adult life, Fairfax consistently rejected all requests to
photograph himself, his home, or family, and clearly articulated his position on the topic of publicity in the
following letter.
27
Dear Mr. Payne,

I have your note of March 6th. I have perhaps old fashioned views about such things but I have never been able to adjust
my mind to the publication of pictures of peoples [sic] houses and gardens and favorite horses. There is very little privacy
possible in American life, but surely one is entitled to claim it in ones garden if it is developed for the reception of ones
friends and not for the advertisement of ones pocket book. I have never consented to the publication of any photographs of
any of my family or of any of the things I possess, and so regret that I cannot comply with your present request.15
In an earlier letter to Hetty, Fairfax wrote,
Finley told me that he is beginning a program for advertising Piedmont Virginia a picture book of the homes of our
part of the country. I have stipulated against the including of Belvoir. Deep in my heart I yearn for privacy of my house
at least. Our American life admits of so little privacy I am not prepared to censor the opinions of others, but as for me,
give me privacy or give me death at Belvoir I would like to enjoy it as our ancestors did, out of the glare of the lime
light.16
While Belvoir was their primary residence, the Harrisons also maintained a leased townhouse in D.C. as the
Southern Railway Co. was headquartered in Washington D.C., requiring Fairfax to spend a significant amount of
time in town. 17 In an ongoing effort to maintain his privacy and that of his family, Fairfax Harrison systematically
requested that his personal address and phone number be eliminated from several Washington, D.C. directories.18
His position on the topic of privacy did not soften with age, as we see in this 1929 rejection of a request from Time
Magazine for a personal interview.
Madam:
Thank you for your pleasant note of June 11th. As I suffer from an acute phobia of personal publicity, I must respectfully
decline to respond to your polite inquisition.
Believe me, with respect,
Yours faithfully19
28
The Harrison correspondences further suggest that, like many Americans at the end of the 19th and early 20th
centuries, the Harrisons were seeking an antidote in the Virginia countryside to what they saw as unsettled times,
characterized by concerns regarding industrial and urban growth, increased immigration, and a sense of
widespread moral deterioration. The Colonial Revival movement represented such an antidote, by offering
Americans a romanticized and comforting backward look at the nations founding and its successful struggle for
freedom. And Americans like the Harrisons, whose pedigrees could be traced to colonial families, were often
among the most ardent proponents of the Colonial Revival movement. As Theobald suggests,
Unsettled times often encourage people to turn to the past. Americans of the late 19th century had only to look back one
hundred years to see an era that by comparison looked idyllic: a Golden Age of American values, when heroic pioneers
sustained their families through honest labor and patriotic farmers fought for freedom beside selfless Founding Fathers.
The vision was not so much inaccurate as it was incomplete and romanticized.20
Reviving the architecture, home furnishings, gardens, and other material manifestations of the American Colonial
period became an approach many believed would lead to the renewed cultivation of patriotism and other noble
colonial virtues. By surrounding themselves with such material references to a more family-oriented period of
American history, Colonial Revivalists were attempting to counteract the perceived sense of widespread moral
deterioration.21 According to Marling, much of the architectural interest in the colonial past was devoted to the regeneration of
American virtue through the restoration of the American home.22 The Harrisons were deeply patriotic Americans,
particularly interested in Virginia history and proud of their collective Virginia heritage. It is no surprise that they
took such an interest in Colonial Revival material references to that heritage in their plans for Belvoir.
Coincident with the rise of interest in American history and the birth of the historic preservation movement in
America, Colonial Revival architecture had become the most fashionable and affordable style by the late 19th and
early 20th centuries, particularly along the east coast.23 Living in Washington D.C. during this period, the
Harrisons would have been exposed to many examples of high style interpretations of Colonial Revival architecture,
and been familiar with the prominent Colonial Revival architects practicing in Virginia at the time. When the
29
Harrisons embarked on relocating to Fauquier County in the spring of 1906, it is likely they had a fairly well
developed Colonial Revival vision in mind for their future home at Belvoir.
Transforming Fair Fountains into Belvoir
On June 2, 1906 the deed for the 372-acre property heretofore known as Fair Fountains and hereafter to be
known as Belvoir was officially conveyed to Fairfax Harrison from Annie Lee Peyton.24 Before the property had
transferred, the Harrisons had already hired the D.C. based architectural firm of Wyeth & Cresson to design their
new Colonial Revival home at Belvoir. By1906, Nathan Wyeth had established significant professional credentials,
having trained at the Ecole Des Beaux Arts (1892-1899), apprenticed in the office of Carrere and Hastings (18991900), and worked in the U.S. Capitol in the office of the Supervising Architect of the Treasury Department (19001903), and as the Chief Designer in the office of the Architect of the Capitol (1904-1905).25 William Cresson, the
junior partner in the firm, only practiced architecture for a few years before moving on to other careers.26 The
short-lived Wyeth & Cresson partnership (1906-1907) focused primarily on embassies and high-end residential
work within D.C. and the surrounding areas.27
The first set of blue prints and specifications for the house at Belvoir were delivered to the Harrisons on June 5 of
1906, just days after closing on the property, yet the correspondence indicates that some amount of editing of the
plans continued through at least February of 1907.28,29 An excerpt from one such correspondence from Wyeth &
Cresson revealed their intention to incorporate the existing Fair Fountains brick dwelling into the new house design.
In our conversation of yesterday you gave us to understand that while you are satisfied with the way in which we have
carried out the alterations to your property at Plains VA, you feel that a larger house could be built by removing the present
structure and building an entirely new house...
We feel however that you under-estimate the advantages of having brick walls to a part of your house at least, and leaving
questions of sentiment aside, the finish in the rooms now existing is quite worth some sacrifice to preserving. 30
30
Despite Fairfaxs reservations that the planned house was too
small, the architects must have prevailed and their plan

executed, as evidence of the original brick dwelling has been
uncovered in recent renovation work at the house.31
Completed in the fall of 1907, the Wyeth & Cresson Colonial
Revival design for the house at Belvoir resulted in a large 3story Dutch Colonial inspired house with a prominent fullheight entry portico (figure 3-3). In addition to the house, the
Harrisons invested heavily in the construction of numerous
farm related buildings and structures during this same time
frame of July of 1906 through October of 1907 (Appendix A).
The Harrisons may have been attracted to the location of

Figure 3- 3: Original Wyeth & Cresson Designed House at Belvoir,
Completed in 1907. (Undated Photo, Mary Moore Personal
Collection)
Figure 3- 4: Belvoir Station in the Summer of 1922. (Mary Moore

Personal Collection)
31
Fair Fountains for any number of reasons, such as the

picturesque setting in the foothills of the Blue Ridge
Mountains, as well as its proximity to nearby hunting and
other favorite equestrian pursuits. It is likely that they were
also drawn to Fair Fountains due to its proximity to the
Manassas branch of the Southern Railway system (figure 1-1).
Within days of the official purchase of Fair Fountains, Fairfax
Harrison requested that a Southern Railroad passenger and
freight stop be installed near Belvoir.
I have bought a farm on the Manassas Branch, about 2 miles
west of The Plains, and expect to at once enlarge the house, build a
barn, etc. upon it, which will require the shipment of brick and
other building materials, and I hope hereafter to have something to
ship from the place. I would like to arrange for railroad service
nearer the house. There is a much traveled country road which
crosses the railroad at a point where there is a post office known as The Swamp. There is a mail crane in use at this point,
which will identify it. Would it be possible to put in, say, 300 of side track on the right of way at this road crossing and
erect a passenger shelter, which could be made a flag stop for passenger trains. If such a shelter is established, I would also
ask that you consider calling it by the name of my place, Belvoir.32
Surely the close proximity of railroad service would have been highly desirable and convenient for the Harrisons.
Fairfax paid for the installation of sidetrack and the construction of a passenger shelter for the area residents to use,
and was successful in having Swamp and the nearby area of Swampoodle renamed Belvoir (figures 1-1, 2-1, 3-4).33
Belvoir Expansion
The buildings and landscapes of Belvoir Farm appear to have
been a work in progress for much of the Harrison tenure. By

1911, the farm property had been increased to 487 acres
through the acquisition of abutting land.34 As for their new
house, Fairfax had raised concerns early on with Wyeth &
Cresson that their design for the house at Belvoir was too
small, an opinion that seems to have remained unchanged
with time. Within just a few years of the first round of
construction, two large symmetrical wings were added to the
house, creating a much larger U-shaped plan (figure 3-5).35
The exact details for this house expansion are unknown at this
time; however, a newspaper article suggests that the
Warrenton and Washington architect, Waddy B. Wood,
designed the additions.36 Belvoir Farm was further enlarged
in 1925 to 685 acres through the acquisition of another
adjoining farm.37 In 1933, it is known that Waddy B. Wood
designed a stone guest cottage for the Harrisons to replace an
Figure 3- 5: Expanded House at Belvoir, with New Symmetrical

Wings. (Undated Photo, Mary Moore Personal Collection)
32
earlier wooden building within

the formal garden (figures 1-7,
3-6, 3-8). Additional building
activities continued at Belvoir
throughout the Harrison era,
and included the introduction
of numerous stone walls in the
landscape and the installation
of a tennis court on the east
lawn.
Early Belvoir Formal Grounds
and Gardens
Little is known about the early
history of Belvoirs formal
grounds and gardens. The
1906 plat of Belvoir Farm
(figure 1-5) indicates the
Figure 3- 6: 1933 Architectural Drawing for a Garden House for Mrs. Fairfax Harrison, Belvoir, Virginia.
presence of a large rectangular
Waddy Butler Wood, Architect. (Call Number ADE-UNIT 1118, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Divisions Washington D.C.)
garden immediately behind the
original dwelling, but nothing is
known about the character of that garden space, or the rest of the grounds surrounding the main dwelling, at the
time the Harrisons took over the property. The only glimpse of the early Harrison landscape comes from the
undated photo of the original Wyeth & Cresson designed house at Belvoir, presumably taken shortly after
completion of construction in 1907 (figure 3-3). In this image, the area immediately adjacent to the house is quite
bare, consisting of a few existing trees and a number of recently planted young trees barely visible along the entry
drive. To date, no other historic photographs or other primary sources have been identified that document the
landscape during the first few years the Harrisons were in residence. Given the Harrisons aversion to having their
domestic life photographed, it is unlikely that many historic photos documenting the early Belvoir landscape ever
33
existed. However, a living descendant of the Harrisons

has graciously supplied a small collection of mostly
undated historic photos originating from the Harrison
family.38 These images reveal Belvoir as a dynamic
landscape that underwent a remarkable transformation
and evolution over time, rather than having been
designed and implemented in a single phase.39
The majority of the historic Harrison photos focus on
the large formal boxwood garden located immediately

behind the house, which corresponds roughly to the
same location as the large rectangular garden called out
on the 1906 plat of Belvoir Farm (figure 1-5). It is
unknown what features that original Fair Fountains
1906 garden possessed, or even whether it was an
ornamental versus a more utilitarian garden. While it is
unclear if features from the Fair Fountains garden were
incorporated into the Harrisons formal garden, the
limited historic photographic evidence suggests the
Harrisons transformed that space into their own
Colonial Revival design, using very little of the original
Fair Fountains garden. Several of the early, undated
Harrison photos of that formal garden portray a very
young garden, consisting of mostly new plantings and
limited structure (figures 3-7, 3-8). The paths and beds
have been laid out in these images, with the long central
path on axis with the door of the house. However,
Figure 3- 7: Undated Photograph of the Formal Boxwood Garden Behind

the Recently Expanded House. (Mary Moore Personal Collection)
Figure 3- 8: Undated Photograph of the Formal Boxwood Garden, Taken on Axis with the Recently Expanded House. This Photograph Reveals a Young
Formal Garden, where Paths and Beds Have Been Laid Out, but Many of the Later Signature Elements Such as the Monopteros, Wire Forms Around the
Monopteros, and Mature Boxwoods are Missing. The Large Wooden Structure to the Left was Later Replaced by the Stone Guest Cottage Designed by
Waddy B. Wood. (Photograph from Mary Moore Personal Collection)
34
many of the later Harrison garden features are missing such as the monopteros, the central wire frames for the
boxwood and roses, statuary, sheared hedges, and perimeter retaining walls. These photos were likely taken shortly
after the house expansion.
To date, no garden plans or other primary documentation have been found to shed light on the timing and
developmental details of the Belvoir gardens during the Harrison era. However, one secondary reference suggests
a date for when work began on the formal garden. That reference comes from a write up of Mrs. Fairfax
Harrisons garden in the 1921 List of Gardens of the Members of the Garden Club of America Open to Visit by Members:
Mrs. Fairfax Harrison, Belvoir, Fauquier co., Va.
Type Formal, with mixed borders and flowering shurbs
Best Bloom 1st week in May 2nd week in June
Owners Remarks Trains leave Union Station, Washington at 9 a.m. and 3:55 p.m.; returning leave Belvoir at 9:10
a.m. and 7:10 p.m. There is only one morning and one afternoon train each way. Owner will meet visitors and provide
entertainment upon special arrangement by letter, a reasonable time in advance. This garden is only ten years old, but has
some old box and many flowering shrubs and perennial borders.40
Thus it appears the Harrisons began creating the formal gardens in 1911, presumably near the time that the
Belvoir House expansion took place.
Given Hettys knowledge of horticulture and landscape design, one can assume she took an active role in the design
and implementation of the formal grounds and gardens during her tenure at Belvoir. However, the full extent to
which Hetty received professional guidance from a landscape architect remains unclear. A local newspaper article
in 1960 claimed, The beautiful formal boxwood gardens were designed by the late A.H. Paul of Philadelphia and later developed
under Mrs. Harrisons guidance.41 This refers in all likelihood to Arthur F. Paul of Philadelphia, a well-known
landscape architect, horticulturalist, and nurseryman who practiced during the first half of the 20th century.42, 43
35
Arthur F. Paul (1879-1952) began practicing
professionally when he joined the office of Philadelphia

landscape architect Oglesby Paul (1876-1915) in 1903
(figures 3-9, 3-10).44 Arthur and Oglesby were not
related but rather acquainted, as they had overlapped
while training in the nascent landscape architecture
program at Harvard University.45 Oglesby completed
the program prior to Arthur, and served briefly in the
program as a teaching assistant prior to returning to
Philadelphia.46 Born into a large and prominent
Philadelphia family, Oglesby was amongst the earliest
professional landscape
Figure 3- 9: Arthur Folsom Paul, Photo from 1902 on the Left, and from
architects to set up
1927 on the Right. Photos from Harvard College Class of 1902, Twentypractice in the
Fifth Anniversary Report. (Provided by Peyton Bendix from her Personal
Collection of Papers from her Grandfather, Arthur F. Paul)
Philadelphia area,
predating JacquesHenri-Auguste Grber and Thomas Sears by more than a decade.47,48 His family
and society connections served Oglesby well in his efforts to establish himself
professionally. Within a very short period of time, he had become a sought after
authority on horticulture and landscape architecture, was appointed the official
Landscape Gardener to Philadelphias Fairmont Park, and was successful in
creating a thriving firm credited with numerous high profile projects in
Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia, many of which were the result of
collaborations with Philadelphia architect Horace Trumbauer.49,50,51,52,53,54,55
Figure 3-10: Oglesby Paul. (Undated
Photograph Provided by the Archives
of the Radnor Historical Society,
Radnor PA).
Until Oglesbys death in 1915 when he was just 39 years old, the office was known
simply as that of Oglesby Paul, Landscape Architect, a common convention at
the time despite having several professional associates employed in the firm.56 After
36
Oglesbys death, associates Arthur F. Paul and Stephen Ford

carried the landscape architecture firm forward as Paul & Ford,
eventually morphing into Dreher, Churchman, Paul and Ford
briefly during 1919-1922.57 In 1923, Arthur was in practice
alone until becoming associated with the Andorra Nurseries later
that year. He ultimately became President of the Andorra
Nurseries, a position he held until his death in 1952.58 Arthur
went on to become both a local and national authority on
horticulture, and hosted a popular weekly radio talk show called
The Garden Party.59 To date, only limited documentation sheds
light on details and extent of Arthurs professional portfolio. He
is perhaps best remembered for his landscape design and terraced
gardens for Tyrconnell, a 27-acre private estate located near
Baltimore, MD that is still in existence and has been placed on
the National Register of Historic Places.60
At the time the Harrisons began transforming the gardens and
grounds of Belvoir in 1911, the field of professional landscape

architecture was still in its infancy and the number of prominent
practitioners quite small. Given the social connections and
degree of success Oglesby Pauls firm had achieved within the
mid-Atlantic states, the Harrisons were likely to have been aware
of Oglesby and his firms work, particularly the garden
Figure 3-11: Key List for Planting Plan for Evergreen Walk for
the Garden of Mrs. Fairfax Harrison, Belvoir, VA.
restoration work at nearby Montpelier.61 It seems almost certain
(Manuscript from Mary Moore Personal Collection).
that the Harrisons engaged Oglesbys firm to provide some
degree of professional landscape architecture services at the time
the formal boxwood garden was being planned in 1911 (figure 3-11).62 The Key List for Planting Plan for Evergreen
Walk for the Garden of Mrs. Fairfax Harrison represents a small portion of the formal boxwood garden, but also
includes plant details for other areas of the grounds (figure 3-11). In the absence of further documentation or plans,
37
it is impossible to know the full extent or duration to which the firm

assisted the Harrisons with their formal gardens and grounds, but it is
clear that the firm was, at a minimum, involved at a very early stage in
the development of the gardens. The 1960 newspaper article that
credits the design of the boxwood gardens to Arthur F. Paul should
have more accurately referenced Oglesby Paul, whose firm included
Arthur as an associate at that time in 1911.63
Belvoir Formal Gardens and Grounds Later Developed Under Mrs.
Harrisons Guidance64
Prior to 1911, Hetty is something of an enigmatic historical figure, as
the majority of surviving Harrison manuscripts consists of

correspondences to or from Fairfax, rather than Hetty herself. While
we can assume that the early years of marriage were very busy for Hetty,
largely focused on domestic concerns of a growing family and the
development of Belvoir, there is scant primary documentation during
this time that offers insight into her daily life and personality, or her
approach to developing the landscape at Belvoir. However, from 1911
and onward a greater insight into Hetty and her gardens can be
gleanede by examining her life outside her family, primarily with
respect to her involvement in various organizations, and in particular
garden clubs.
In 1911, the first garden club in Virginia was organized in Warrenton
VA, and thus began a new, and much more public, chapter in Hettys
life. Hetty was a member of the Warrenton Garden Club until she
resigned in 1915, at which time she organized the Fauquier and
Figure 3-12: Hetty Harrison Standing in the Formal

Boxwood Garden with the Monopteros and House
Behind Her. Taken on the Occasion of her
Daughter Ursulas Wedding on October 17, 1920.
(Dated Photograph from Mary Moore Personal
Collection).
38
Figure 3-13: Gathering of Relatives on the Rear Terrace, Overlooking

the Formal Boxwood Garden, after Ursula Harrisons Wedding in
October of 1920. Hetty Harrison is Seated in the Middle, Aunt Jenny
Cary is in white to the far left, and a Young Sally Cary Fairfax Harrison
is Seated to the Far Right. (Dated Photograph from Mary Moore
Personal Collection).
Loudoun Garden Club, serving as that clubs President for

fifteen years as a devoted and inspired leader.65 Through
her associations with the Warrenton and Fauquier and
Loudoun Garden Clubs, Hetty became involved with the
Garden Club of America (GCA), an organization in which
she would later go on to hold numerous leadership
positions.66 In 1920, the Fauquier and Loudoun Garden
Club was amongst the charter members of the Federation
of Garden Clubs of Virginia, which later became known as
the Garden Club of Virginia (GCV).67 Mrs. Fairfax
Harrison was one of the most influential pioneers within
the early years of the GCV, an organization that she
continued to serve and advise until the time of her death in
1943. Her numerous positions within the GCV included
membership in the Kenmore Restoration Committee,
Chair of the Stratford Hall Restoration Committee, 2nd
Chair of the Restoration Committee, Chair of the Massie
Medal Award and Nomination Committees, and a
Director at Large. She is also counted amongst the
visionaries responsible for establishing Historic Garden
Week as a funding vehicle for the GCVs garden
restoration work.68
By the time the GCV got involved in overseeing and
Figure 3-14: Undated Photograph of the Rear of House with a Portion

of the Formal Boxwood Garden in the Forefront. (Photograph from
Mary Moore Personal Collection).
39
financing historic garden restoration work at Kenmore in

1924, Hetty had already embarked on a major
transformation of the grounds and gardens at Belvoir. Her
work at Belvoir had provided valuable experience working
with professional landscape architects, and presumably
enhanced her knowledge and skills in horticultural matters.

Hetty was clearly a respected authority within the GCV on
matters of horticulture, landscape history, and design - all talents
that the GCV leveraged in their garden restoration,
beautification, and educational pursuits. Through her
affiliations with the various garden clubs and the American
Horticultural Society, Hetty would in turn have had numerous
opportunities to expand and refine her knowledge and skills.
And from the historic photographic record, it would appear
Hetty experimented and deployed those skills in her gardens at
Belvoir throughout her remaining tenure there.
The earliest dated photos of Belvoir are from October of 1920
on the occasion of Ursula Harrisons wedding (figures 3-12, 313). While both photos offer limited glimpses of the formal
garden, it is clear that by 1920 the formal boxwood garden had
evolved significantly from the earlier photos (figures 3-7, 3-8),
with the addition of multiple garden structures and mature
plantings. In figure 3-12, the monopteros and associated tall,
sculpted boxwoods can be seen behind Mrs. Harrison,
indicating these signature features of the garden were installed
by 1920. In figure 3-13, one can make out certain elements of
the formal boxwood garden beyond the gathering on the rear
terrace. Lombardy poplars can be seen in the distance, which
largely disappear from the garden by the late 1930s. From this
image the profile of the garden temple at the left rear corner of
the garden can be discerned, indicating this structure was in
place by 1920. A mature privet hedge that encloses the garden
space can also be seen in figure 3-13. This hedge reflects an

Figure 3-15: Undated Photograph of the Formal Boxwood Garden

Taken From the Rear House Terrace. Likely from the same
approximate time period as 3-14, given the similarity in certain
garden features such as the privet hedge. (Photograph from Mary
Moore Personal Collection).
Figure 3-16: 1927 Photograph of the Formal Boxwood Garden

Taken From the Second Floor of House. (Photograph from Mary
40
Figure 3-17: 1927 Photograph of

Mr. Klinedentz, Presumably a
Gardener for the Harrisons. He
Appears to be Working in the
Cutting Garden, Based on the
Rows of Planting Beds Behind
Him. (Photograph from Mary
Figure 3-18: 1927 Photograph of Earle

McQuin, Presumably a Young
Gardener for the Harrisons.
(Photograph from Mary Moore
earlier version of the garden, as the grading was later

modified near the house and a stone retaining wall and
steps, together with a boxwood hedge, replaced certain
portions of this privet hedge. Figures 3-14 and 3-15 are
undated images that are likely to be from a similar time
period as those from 1920, or just a few years prior,
based on the existence and height of the surrounding
privet hedge and absence of retaining walls and steps.
Figure 3-16 provides a fairly complete overview of the
Colonial Revival gardens design, with the central path
on axis with the rear door of the house and terminating
in a view of the elevated garden bench at the rear of the
garden. The symmetrical, geometric plan consists of
eight mirrored beds separated by paths, with the
circular monopteros situated at the center of the garden
on axis with the house. By this time, the formal garden
appears highly ordered and organized through the use
of sheared boxwood and privet hedges, creating distinct
garden rooms. The dark green hedges also served as
backdrops to the extensive perennial beds and
flowering shrubs. It is interesting to note the extent of
Ampelopsis veitchii (Boston Ivy) on the house exterior, a
plant called out on Oglesby Pauls plant list from 1911
(figure 3-14).
The next set of dated historic garden photos from the

Harrison family cover the years 1927 through 1929.
These photos, taken by their youngest daughter Sally,
reveal gardens that have continued to be a work in
41
Figure 3-19: 1928 Photograph of the Rear of House with

a Portion of the Formal Boxwood Garden in the
Foreground. Stone Steps and Retaining Wall Now
Define the Transition Between the Garden to the Grass
Terrace and House. (Photograph from Mary Moore
Figure 3-20: 1928 Photograph of the Stone Boy

and Turtle Fountain, Located in the Formal
Boxwood Garden. (Photograph from Mary
Figure 3-21: 1928 Photograph of
the Square Stone Fountain in the
Cutting Garden, a Bed of Roses in
the Foreground. (Photograph
from Mary Moore Personal
Collection).
progress while remaining true to the original geometric plan. Figure 3-16, taken from the second floor of the house,
provides a sense of how the formal boxwood garden plantings had matured by 1927. The image reveals new
garden features such as the circular planting located within the turf, a stone fountain, and a new run of stone wall
attached to a stone archway leading into the cutting garden. The highly manicured state of the formal gardens
strongly suggests a gardening staff existed at Belvoir, and Sally Harrison caught at least two of these gardeners on
film (Figures 3-17, 3-18). The first dated glimpse of the change in grade at the back of the house, and the
introduction of a stone retaining wall and steps at the transition into the boxwood garden, appear in a photo from
1928 (figure 3-19). Additional photos from 1928 highlight newer garden features, such as the stone fountain of a
42
Figure 3-25: 1927 Glass Lantern Slide of the Stone

Boy and Turtle Fountain, Garden Bench, and
Spring Irises in the Formal Boxwood Garden at
Belvoir House. (Glass Lantern Slides from the
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American
Gardens, Belvoir House Created by the Fauquier
and Loudoun Garden Club, Garden Club of
America Collection).
Figure 3-26: 1927 Glass Lantern Slide of the

Stone Boy and Turtle Fountain in the Formal
Boxwood Garden at Belvoir House. (Glass
Lantern Slides from the Smithsonian
Institution, Archives of American Gardens,
Belvoir House Created by the Fauquier and
Loudoun Garden Club, Garden Club of
America Collection).
Figure 3-27: 1927 Glass Lantern Slide of

the Rock Garden Located at the Lower
East Lawn at Belvoir House. (Glass
Lantern Slides from the Smithsonian
Institution, Archives of American
Gardens, Belvoir House Created by the
Fauquier and Loudoun Garden Club,
Garden Club of America Collection).
boy riding a turtle in the boxwood garden (figure 3-20), and one of the two stone fountains located within the
cutting garden (figure 3-21).
In addition to the historic photographs from the Harrison family archives, the gardens at Belvoir were
photographed as a result of Hettys affiliation with the GCA, one of the first proponents of early garden
photography in America. In 1919 the GCA formed the Slide Committee to document gardens belonging to
members, as well as those associated with historic sites.69 Ultimately, the GCA amassed over 2000 glass lantern
slides between 1920 and 1935.70 In 1927, The Fauquier and Loudoun Garden Club sent a set of slides of member
gardens to the GCA, which included of Belvoirs formal gardens.71,72 These slides provide richly detailed
close ups of various features within the Harrisons highly manicured boxwood garden, and include one image of the
rock garden that was located on the lower east lawn (figures 3-22 through 3-27).73 From these images, it is clear
that the regrading behind the house, and associated introduction of stone retaining wall and steps at the transition
into the boxwood garden, were in place as early as 1927 (figure 3-22). Hettys extensive collection of irises was
43
Figure 3-28: Early 1930s Frances Benjamin

Johnston Photograph of the Monopteros
Located in the Formal Boxwood Garden at
Belvoir. (Image from the Carnegie Survey of
the Architecture of the South, Library of
Congress, Call Number LC-J7-VA-2187
[P&P]).

Johnston Photograph of the Monopteros
Located in the Formal Boxwood Garden at
Belvoir, Image Taken from the Cross Axis
Looking North Towards the Stone Boy and
Turtle Fountain. (Image from the Carnegie
Survey of the Architecture of the South,
Library of Congress, Call Number LC-J7-VA2188 [P&P]).

Johnston Photograph of the Fringe Tree and
Garden Temple Located in the Formal
Boxwood Garden at Belvoir. (Image from
the Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of
the South, Library of Congress, Call
Number LC-J7-VA-2192 [P&P]).
showcased in these late spring slides, as was the highly manicured state of the boxwood hedges and specimen
plantings. The inclusion of the decidedly less formal rock garden on the lower east lawn within the slide collection
provides an interesting contrast to the formal boxwood garden, and likely reflects the intense interest in rock
gardens amongst garden club members at the time (figure 3-27).74
Frances Benjamin Johnston (1864-1952), one of the first prominent female photographers in America, also
photographed Belvoir in the early 1930s (figures 3-28-3-33).75 Later in her career she moved away from portrait
and photojournalism work to specialize in photographing architecture and gardens. 76 Johnston traveled
extensively to research and lecture on the gardens she had photographed, and images of Belvoir were used in her
Garden and Historic House Lecture Series.77 Johnstons summer photographs at Belvoir reveal a mature garden
characterized by exuberant perennial flower displays, architectural evergreens, and a variety of interesting
structures and features. Figures 3-30 and 3-31 provide a rare look at the architectural detail of the garden temple,
44

Johnston Photograph of the Fringe Tree and
Garden Temple Located in the Formal Boxwood
Garden at Belvoir. (Image from the Carnegie
Survey of the Architecture of the South, Library
of Congress, Call Number LC-J7-VA-2193
[P&P]).

Johnston Photograph of the Square Stone
Fountain, Rose Arbors, and Rose Beds Located
in the Cutting Garden at Belvoir. (Image from
the Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the
South, Library of Congress, Call Number LC-J7VA-2190 [P&P]).

Johnston Photograph of the Circular Stone
Fountain, Rose Arbor, Peonies and Irises
located in the Cutting Garden at Belvoir.
(Image from the Carnegie Survey of the
Architecture of the South, Library of Congress,
Call Number LC-J7-VA-2191 [P&P]).
an open-air pavilion that anchored the southeast corner of the formal boxwood garden. Figure 3-31 was featured
on the front cover of the February 1934 issue of The Garden Gossip.78 Johnstons photographs also provide important
documentation of the former cutting gardens (figures 3-32, 3-33), revealing the extensive rose arbor that once
existed, and the multitude of planting beds filled with irises, roses, and peonies.
As the Johnston photographs indicate, the gardens at Belvoir were well developed by the early 1930s, characterized
by mature plantings, structures, and other features for entertainment and visual pleasure. Yet the gardens and
grounds continued to be edited and enhanced by the Harrisons during this time. In late 1933, architect Waddy B.
Wood designed a sophisticated stone guest cottage for the Harrisons to replace an earlier wooden building located
within the formal boxwood garden (figures 3-6, 3-8). An undated historic photo from the Harrison family archives
reveals the stone guest cottage under construction, suggesting this image was captured in the early 1930s after the
design was finalized (figure 3-34). This aerial photograph provides a wonderful overview of the formal grounds
surrounding the house at Belvoir, highlighting how they have matured after several decades of editing and growth.
45
Dense perimeter plantings of both deciduous and

evergreen trees separated the house and grounds
from the working farm property at this time,
creating an enclosed and private domestic retreat
within the larger agricultural landscape. This
sense of enclosure and privacy were surely by
design, given the Harrisons intensely private
convictions. The historic aerial also reveals the
degree to which the Harrisons had succeeded in
creating formal grounds consisting of a series of
distinct garden spaces and experiences through
which one can move. The entrance drive is
embowered and shaded by a dramatic alle of
deciduous trees, and the northeast lawn is densely
shaded by a grove of trees, contrasting with the
areas of open lawn located on either side of the
entrance drive. The Colonial Revival boxwood
garden can be seen in detail, characterized by its
Figure 3-34: Aerial Photo of Belvoir House and the Formal Grounds and Gardens.
Approximate Date Early 1930s Given the Unfinished State of the Stone Garden
geometric turf squares and highly visible
Cottage. (Undated Aerial Photo, Mary Moore Personal Collection).
monopteros and garden temple. By the time this
photograph was taken, many of the Lombardy poplars that once lined the rear of the formal boxwood garden have
disappeared, whereas the evergreen trees have matured and filled in that space (figures 3-15, 3-16). Just to the
north of the formal boxwood garden is the cutting garden where the elaborate wooden rose arbor can be discerned
in the distance. The barn and garages to the north mark the northern boundary of the formal grounds, with
orchards lying beyond.
The last historic image of Belvoir from the Harrison family is another undated aerial photograph suggestive of
ongoing editing of the grounds and gardens (figure 3-35). While undated, several details indicate the photograph
was taken after that in figure 3-34, possibly late 1930s to early 1940s: the stone cottage has been completed, fewer

46
Lombardy poplars are standing along the rear of

the formal boxwood garden, and the tennis court
can be glimpsed between the gaps in the trees in
the northeast lawn area. Surrounding the house
are grounds and gardens at or near their peak,
characterized by the meticulously maintained
and elaborate formal boxwood garden, the
expansive cutting garden, maturing stands of
evergreen and deciduous shade trees, and
groomed lawns. This image reveals the extent to
which the Harrisons had successfully transformed
Fair Fountains into their Colonial Revival
showplace, having created an elaborate and
sophisticated landscape befitting their impressive
dwelling.
Both a Showplace and Home in Fauquier
County
Belvoir was well known and admired for its
Figure 3-35: Aerial Photo of Belvoir House and a Portion of the Formal Grounds and
Gardens. Approximate date late 1930s to early 1940s based on the Introduction of
Newer Landscape Features. (Undated Aerial Photograph, Mary Moore Personal
Collection).
beauty during the Harrison era, both amongst

their neighbors as well as friends and acquaintances across the state.79,80 Belvoir was not a country retreat for the
Harrisons; rather, it served as their full-time residence and they were very much engaged with, and invested in, the
community of Fauquier County. Despite the Harrisons aversion to domestic publicity, they entertained frequently
and were active, benevolent members of society who proudly opened their home when deemed appropriate. As a
result of Fairfaxs prominent position within the railroad industry, he would have had ample opportunity to
entertain other businessmen and political figures at Belvoir, such as then Governor Stuart of Virginia in 1914
(figure 3-36). Belvoir hosted gymkhanas and other equestrian events, weddings for friends and relatives, and even
an experimental summer school for local children not otherwise enrolled in school (figure 3-37).81,82,83,84 As
47
members of the Orange County Hunt Club, the Harrisons made portions of their property available for
foxhunting.85 They contributed generously to a number of civic improvement projects, and Fairfax was one of the
original founders of the Fauquier County Fair.86 The Harrisons were largely responsible for the gentrification and
transformation of the former crossroad of Swampoodle into the hamlet of Belvoir. Fairfaxs pride in this
transformation can be detected in the following description he proposed for a directory of Fauquier County in
1916:
Dear Miss Evans:
In response to your note of March 14th to Mrs. Harrison, I suggest
the following paragraph as a notice of Belvoir for the proposed
Directory of Fauquier County, VA:
Figure 3-36: Governor Henry C. Stuart, Hetty Harrison, Fairfax

Harrison (Second From Right) and Other Guests at Belvoir,
1914. (Image Located at the Virginia Historical Society
Museum Collections, http://www.vahistorical.org).
Belvoir is a small hamlet on the Manassas Branch railroad between

The Plains and Marshall. It consists of homes of representatives of
the Bishop, Rector, and Cockerill and Hinson families which have
long been established in this neighborhood. When a railroad station
was established it took its name from Mr. Fairfax Harrisons
adjoining property and the name of the post office was then changed
accordingly. The original Belvoir on the Potomac adjoining Mt.
Vernon was the home of William Fairfax, for many years agent for
his cousin the proprietor of the Northern Neck estate, which included
Fauquier County, and was the site of the estate registry office from
which issued many of the original deeds to which Fauquier land titles
are traced.
Faithfully yours,87
48
Belvoir also served as a showplace of Hettys knowledge
and skill in matters of horticulture and design.88 Given

her associations with the GCV, GCA, Fauquier and
Loudon Garden Club, American Horticultural Society,
Mount Vernon Ladies Association, the Colonial Dames,
and Mary Washington Monument Association, Belvoir
would likely have been a popular venue for various
functions and tours associated with these organizations.
By the 1920s, when her association with many of these
organizations began, the gardens and grounds of
Belvoir were already well developed, and would have
likely impressed visitors as to her vision and talents. For
example, in 1921:
The Fauquier and Loudon Garden Club and the
Warrenton Garden Club were co-hostesses for the Second
Annual Meeting of The Federation of Garden Clubs of
Virginia, and the Gardens at Belvoir, Gordonsdale,
Foxcroft, Oak Hill in Loudoun and Oak Hill in Fauquier,
Oatlands, Morven Park and Stoke were visited.89
Figure 3-37: 1913 Photograph of Interested Spectators at Belvoir Horse

Show. (Photograph from Mary Moore Personal Collection).
Such a tour of the grounds and gardens at Belvoir in 1921 would have given Hetty exposure and credibility in
terms of the design and implementation of a complex landscape, during a very early stage in the evolution of the
GCV. By the time the GCV was prepared to undertake historic garden restoration work several years later, Hetty
would have been well known within the organization in terms of her personal experience with, and knowledge of,
Colonial Revival garden design. Through her various organizational affiliations, Hetty eventually became involved
in an impressive number of garden restoration projects that included: the Mary Washington Monument, Kenmore,
Mount Vernon, Monticello, Stratford Hall, Bruton Parish Churchyard, and the Woodrow Wilson Birthplace in
Staunton.90, 91
49
Harrison family correspondences from the 1920s into the 1930s suggest they enjoyed a happy albeit busy domestic
life at Belvoir during this time. Their second eldest daughter Ursula was married at Belvoir in 1920, and the
Harrisons experienced the joy of grandchildren from that union.92 Fairfax continued to be away from home on
business often, prompting him to write Hetty and the children frequently. His surviving letters described his work
life away from home, but often included references to the flowers, trees, pets, and horses of Belvoir.93 It would
seem Belvoir and all it represented were never far from his thoughts. The Harrisons were active equestrians, and
Fairfax was known to be an excellent horseman who was greatly interested in polo, fox hunting, and other
equestrian sports.94 The letters suggest a happy and content lifestyle at Belvoir, one anchored in the country but
connected to the larger world through D.C. and New York society, the best private boarding schools for the
younger children, and travel abroad.95,96,97
While Hetty was immersed in her volunteer commitments, she found time to pursue her personal horticultural
interests. She continued editing and expanding the gardens at Belvoir, while fine-tuning her horticultural skills.
Her extensive cutting gardens of roses, peonies, phlox, and irises served her well, as she was a highly successful
flower show competitor who often took home blue ribbons.98 Hetty appears to have become something of an
authority on flower show competitions, and was judging for such events as early as 1935.99
Similarly, Fairfax managed to find time to pursue his personal interest in Virginia history. He was known as a man
of broad culture, and an acute and restless intellect.100 He served as a Vice President of the Virginia Historical
Society for years, and was a frequent contributor to the Societys magazine.101 Fairfax authored a number of books
on different aspects of Virginia history that were privately printed to share with friends and academics. Among
these are: Landmarks of Old Prince William County, The Proprietors of the Northern Neck, The Virginia Land Grants, The
Virginia Carys, The Devon Carys, Roman Farm Management, and several articles and books on the history of turf in
Virginia.102
50
A Retirement Thwarted
Despite the immense professional success Fairfax enjoyed while employed with the Southern Railway Company,
his announcement to retire on October 21, 1937 spoke of his desires to spend more time with his family and to
pursue his other research and scholarly interests.
To all Officers,
After having devoted forty-one years, all my mature life, to the Southern and having had the honour and privilege of the
chief command for twenty-four years, I have taken a back seat. My purpose is to have more time to be with my family
and to pursue studies of other things than railroading which have also always interested me.
My first thought in taking this step is gratitude to you, one and all, for the support and steady confidence you have given
me during the years we have worked together. It has been a great and happy adventure, through all the vicissitudes of our
fortunes, during our periods of success as well as during the recent grueling depression. I have been fortified in the will to
protect the interests of the numerous and constantly changing company of investors we have represented, by a sense of the
solidarity and permanence of our official managing organization: and now when I look back I realize more than ever that
our greatest achievement has been the friendship and mutual respect which have grown with our association and have held
us together. It is with that friendship and that respect that I now salute you again, as I have so often in the past.
I am glad that it is not yet necessary to say goodbye. The Board of Directors of the Southern Railway Company have
asked me to be Chairman of their Finance Committee, and in that relation I shall have opportunity to know what you are
doing and, I hope, from time to time to shake your hands and look you in the eye.103
Unfortunately, Fairfax did not realize his desires to spend more time with family and his research, nor his dream of
organizing my life in the country.104 He died of heart failure on February 2, 1938 following several months of illness
and hospitalization in the Union Memorial Hospital of Baltimore, MD. Less than four months after submitting his
resignation to the Southern Railway Company, Fairfax Harrison was buried beside his parents at Ivy Hill
Cemetery in Alexandria, Virginia.105
51
It would appear that those who knew him well were aware of Fairfaxs fond devotion to Belvoir, as well as to his
scholarly pursuits. After his death, the Officers of the Southern Railway Company commissioned a posthumous
portrait from Eugen Weisz to honor the late Fairfax Harrison. The painting, presented to Mrs. Fairfax Harrison in
1939, portrays Fairfax seated at his desk at the Southern Railway Company, surrounded by references to treasured
possessions (figure 3-38). The painting hanging on the wall behind him is clearly a partial aerial view of Belvoir,
capturing the house and formal boxwood garden. A full bookcase to his right makes reference to his vast library,
his love for books, and the associated scholarship and research.
Figure 3-38: Portrait Presented to Mrs. Fairfax Harrison from the Southern Railway Co. in Honor of Fairfax Harrison. Inscription on Back of Portrait
Includes Artists Signature. (Portrait Located at the Virginia Historical Society Museum Collections, http://www.vahistorical.org)
52
An undated memo from Fairfax to Hetty, containing an epitaph, speaks volumes about what had been important
to Mr. Harrison in life:
I had my house my friends and a sweet wife

My childrens love no more I asked of life.
I have the flowers, the rain soaked earths soft breath
A quiet sleep no more I ask of death.106
The End of an Era
There are no known sources that illuminate the extent to which Fairfaxs untimely death impacted Hetty, but it
can be assumed it was a tremendous, unexpected loss for her. At the time of his death, Hetty was entrenched in
her volunteer efforts with a number of organizations, where she held several key leadership positions in parallel. By
this point in her life, she had clearly established herself as an effective organizer and leader, who was also well
versed in matters of horticulture, historic preservation and restoration, and beautification. Throughout Virginia,
Hetty was widely known:
Mrs. Harrison is one of the most prominent persons in gardening activities in this part of the country. Her home, Belvoir,
at The Plains, Va., is one of the showplaces of the State.107
For the GCV, she had already successfully overseen the garden restorations at Stratford Hall and had moved on to
serve as the Chairman of the GCV Restoration Committee (1938-1943), and as a Director-at-Large (19361939).108,109 Hetty had become a Vice President with the American Horticultural Society (AHS) in 1936, a position
she held until becoming an AHS Director in 1941.110 During this time she also continued to serve as the President
of the National Mary Washington Memorial Association, the Vice Regent of Virginia for the Mount Vernon
Ladies Association, and President of her District Society for the Colonial Dames of America.111,112, 113
53
Hetty remained in residence at Belvoir with her eldest daughter and son for several years after her husbands death.
Nothing is known of the financial circumstances in which she found herself, but it is likely that maintaining the
large house in addition to the gardens, along with the responsibility of managing the large working farm, were
simply too much for Hetty, financially or otherwise. In April of 1941, she leased the house and formal grounds of
Belvoir to Hamilton Robinson.114 The details of the lease agreement highlight Hettys intentions and the state of
Belvoir at the time of lease: Hetty would continue to be responsible for the care of her beloved grounds and
gardens, even if she were not in residence; the tennis court was in existence by 1941; and she was looking to
ultimately sell Belvoir Farm. The following excerpt from that lease agreement make these points clear:
THE LESSOR is to maintain the grounds at her own expense including maintaining the lawn, planting and
maintaining the flower garden and vegetable garden except that the lessor will put the tennis court in good order at the
beginning of this lease and mark it off for the lessee and thereafter the lessee will maintain and mark off the tennis court,
the necessary tools being made available by the lessor. It is understood and agreed between the lessor and the lessee that in
the event of the sale of Belvoir at any time after the first six months of this lease the lessee will vacate and give
possession to the lessor within ninety days from the beginning of the lease month beginning after written notice from the
lessor or her agent.
It is understood and agreed, however, that the lessee is to have the refusal to purchase the property at any price that may be
acceptable to the lessor.115
After leasing Belvoir to Hamilton Robinson, Hetty and her two children removed to a much smaller house on the
property known as Edenburn, the Harrisons name for the house and 198-acre parcel they added to Belvoir Farm
in 1925.116 Despite health complications, and restrictions on travel during the lean war years of 1942-1943, Hetty
continued to work diligently on behalf of her volunteer commitments.117 On May 14, 1943 the Garden Club of
Virginia Massie Medal Award Committee chose to recognize Mrs. Fairfax Harrison for her many contributions to
that organization over the years.
54
The Massie Medal is awarded this year to Mrs. Fairfax Harrison, Belvoir House, Belvoir, Virginia, member of the
Fauquier and Loudoun Garden Club, for her untiring and outstanding work as chairman of the Stratford Restoration
Committee, and for her loyal support and active work on the Restoration Committee of the Garden Club of Virginia, of
which she has been chairman since 1938.118
The citation on the medal reads:
To Hetty Cary Harrison,
Whose Inheritance and Ideals
Inspired Fruitful Research
Into the History of Virginia
Gardens and Shrines
In a letter to a fellow Director of the GCV, Hetty shared her reaction to having received the medal:
My dear Anne,
The medal has come and I am quite speechless, your having chosen me for this honor, the most coveted of all and the wonderful inscription,
fills my cup of happiness to overflowing.119
The letter also indicated that Hettys health had been in decline, explaining her inability to attend the GCV Board
of Directors meeting. While it is unknown what exactly ailed her, it was clearly serious; on June 23 of 1943, Hetty
died in Doctors Hospital, Washington D.C. after having been hospitalized for two weeks prior.120 Her death was
widely and publicly mourned. An editorial in Richmonds The News Leader paid one such tribute to Mrs. Fairfax
Harrison:
When Mrs. Fairfax Harrison died in Washington, Virginia lost one of her most brilliant daughters. All that
her husband was among men, she was among women. They had the same background and the same inheritance of great
names and high traditions. Had Hetty Cary Harrison lived in Richmond during the period of the Confederacy, she would
have been as renowned as either the famous Hetty or Constance Cary of that era. One could imagine her in fact, as being
55
the heroine of many of the stories told in her mother-in-laws memoirs, Recollections Grave and Gay. All that was
Virginian appealed to Mrs. Harrison. Gardens and shrines and fanes and folkways were as wine to her imagination.
Wherever she went, she gave grace to the occasion and beauty to the setting.121
Mrs. William R. Massie, Honorary President of the GCV, wrote a touching tribute to Hetty on behalf of the GCV,
which summarized many of her contributions to that organization:
The Garden Club of Virginia bows its head in sorrow at the passing of its beloved and distinguished member,
Mrs. Fairfax Harrison. Her death leaves her wide circle of friends with a sense of irretrievable loss and grief. A member
of this Club since its foundation, she did much to form its policy and to make the successful organization which it has
grown to be.
Her accurate knowledge of the early history of Virginia, its homes and its people, has been an invaluable asset in
the restoration work to which the Club is pledged, and to this work she gave unstintingly of her time and her talents.
The Stratford gardens especially enthralled her and their restoration was carried out under her leadership. She was
connected with the reclamation of every old garden undertaken by The Garden Club of Virginia. She later became
Chairman of Restoration, which office she held at the time of her death.
It was decided two years ago that the next project of the Garden Club would be the restoration of the Colonial
churchyards. She, as Chairman of Restoration, at once began research into the histories and all data available concerning
these ancient burial yards and she felt that many interesting historical facts would be revealed as the work progressed. In
the summary of the years work, as reported to the Board of Directors on May 20, 1943, she stated that up to that time
only one of these restorations had actually been undertaken, and while she was much encouraged and gratified at the
progress made, she reported that the work was not yet completed.
The efficiency and dignity with which Mrs. Harrison fulfilled every undertaking made her deeply respected and
admired. Her loyalty and graciousness made for deep friendships, and many mourn her irreplaceable loss today.
We owe her much, for she gave much
We shall not look upon her like again.
S.W.M.122
56
In honor of Hetty Cary Harrison, and the Cary family legacy at the College
of William and Mary, the GCV placed a portrait of her at the College
together with a compilation of garden books (figure 3-39). 123 Her
gardening, horticulture, and landscape design books formed the core of the
collection to which the GCV supplemented, ultimately creating a repository
of books on gardening and gardens that was regarded as one of the most
outstanding in the country.124
Given that Hetty was attempting to sell Belvoir Farm prior to her death
Figure 3-39: Image Sourced From the Garden

Club of Virginia Archives at the Kent Valentine
House.
suggests that her children were not interested, or could not afford, to take
on its ownership. Correspondences between the Harrisons two youngest
daughters, Ursula and Sally, and First and Merchants National Bank, the
executor and trustee of Mrs. Hetty Fairfax Harrison estate,125 highlight the
challenges that were faced in selling such a property during World War
II.126 There were limited numbers of buyers who could afford such a large
estate in the country at this time, and fuel rationing made travel difficult for
would-be urban buyers to even evaluate the prospect. The correspondences
also suggest that many updates and repairs were needed at Belvoir, which
might have been daunting to prospective buyers.127 Finally in April of 1944,
William D. Pawley paid $110,000.00 for Belvoir Farm, the contract
covering the real estate and buildings, all farming equipment, supplies,
cattle, horses and other animals belonging to the Estate, and the half
interest in other animals owned jointly with Mr. Adams. It did not cover
the furniture or other personal effects in either house.128

Unknown. Entries in the handwriting of Fairfax Harrison from the Belvoir Book. Accession number 1843, Fairfax Harrison Papers 1911-1943, Special
Collections, University of Virginia Library.
2 Ibid.
3 Ibid.
4 Ibid.
1
57

Ibid.
Ibid.
7 Ibid.
8 Ibid.
9 Ibid.
10 Harrison, Fairfax. June 3, 1912. Unsent letter to Mr. Finley. From the Fairfax Harrison Papers 1736-1945, Special Collections, Swem Library College of
William and Mary.
11 Harrison, Fairfax and Hetty Harrison. Letters and telegrams contained within the Fairfax Harrison Papers 1736-1945, Special Collections, Swem Library
College of William and Mary; and the Fairfax Harrison Papers 1911-1943, Special Collections, University of Virginia Library.
12 Harrison, Fairfax. May, 1912. Letter to H.H. Accession number 1843, Fairfax Harrison Papers 1911-1943, Special Collections, University of Virginia
Library.
13 Harrison, Fairfax. July 19, 1912. Letter to H.H. Accession number 1843, Fairfax Harrison Papers 1911-1943, Special Collections, University of Virginia
Library.
14 Harrison, Fairfax. April, 1913. Letter to H.H. Accession number 1843, Fairfax Harrison Papers 1911-1943, Special Collections, University of Virginia
Library.
15 Harrison, Fairfax. March 8, 1916. Letter to Raphael S. Payne. From the Fairfax Harrison Papers 1736-1945, Special Collections, Swem Library College of
William and Mary.
16 Harrison, Fairfax. May 30, 1912. Letter to H.H. Accession number 1843, Fairfax Harrison Papers 1911-1943, Special Collections, University of Virginia
Library.
17 Harrison, Fairfax. January 3, 1914. Letter to Arthur D. Addison, Esq. regarding lease of 1824 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington D.C. From the Fairfax
Harrison Papers 1736-1945, Special Collections, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
18 Harrison, Fairfax. February 24, 1921. Letter to the Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Co. From the Fairfax Harrison Papers 1736-1945, Special
Collections, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
19 Harrison, Fairfax. June 12, 1929. Letter to The Editor of Time Magazine. Accession number 1843, Fairfax Harrison Papers 1911-1943, Special Collections,
University of Virginia Library.
20 Theobald, Mary Miley. 2002. The Colonial Revival: The Past That Never Dies. Colonial Williamsburg Journal. Accessed October 8, 2014 from
http://www.history.org/foundation/journal/summer02/revival.cfm
21 Lears, T.J. Jackson. 1981. No Place of Grace: Antimodernism and the Transformation of American Culture, 1880-1920. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
22 Marling, Karal Ann. 1988. George Washington Slept Here: Colonial Revivals and American Culture 1876-1986. Cambridge MA and London: Harvard University
Press.
23 Theobald, Mary Miley. 2002. The Colonial Revival: The Past That Never Dies. Colonial Williamsburg Journal. Accessed October 8, 2014 from
http://www.history.org/foundation/journal/summer02/revival.cfm
25 Gabbett, Harry. August 31, 1963. Nathan C. Wyeth, Architect for D.C., is Dead here at 93. The Washington Post. Page B3.
26 Cresson, William Penn (1864-1932). American Architects and Buildings Project. Accessed on November 17, 2014 from
http://www.americanbuildings.org/pab/app/ar_display.cfm/51289
27 Ibid.
28 Wyeth & Cresson. June 5, 1906. Letter to Fairfax Harrison regarding Belvoir House blue prints. From the Fairfax Harrison Papers 1736-1945, Special
5
6
58

Wyeth & Cresson. February 4, 1907. Letter to Fairfax Harrison regarding stairway and rear porch change orders at Belvoir House. From the Fairfax
Harrison Papers 1736-1945, Special Collections, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
30 Wyeth & Cresson. September 1, 1906. Letter to Fairfax Harrison regarding the merits of constructing Belvoir House around the existing brick dwelling.
From the Fairfax Harrison Papers 1736-1945, Special Collections, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
31 Personal correspondence with Wayne Eastham, Property Manager for Belvoir Farm. June, 2014.
32 Harrison, Fairfax. 1906. Correspondence with the Southern Railway Company regarding Belvoir passenger and freight stop. From the Fairfax Harrison
Papers 1736-1945, Special Collections, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
33 Ibid.
35 Wyeth & Cresson. September 1, 1906. Letter to Fairfax Harrison regarding the merits of constructing Belvoir House around the existing brick dwelling.
From the Fairfax Harrison Papers 1736-1945, Special Collections, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
36 Unknown. April 12, 1962. Noted for its Classical Gardens. The Fauquier Democrat. Page B1.
38 Mary Moore personal collection of Belvoir and Harrison family photographs and manuscripts.
39 Ibid.
40 The Garden Club of America. 1921. List of Gardens of the Members of the Garden Club of America Open to Visit by Members. Page 18.
41 Unknown. December 1, 1960. Belvoir Estate Bought by E. DeLong Bowman. The Fauquier Democrat. Page 1.
42 Unknown. November 30, 1952. Arthur F. Paul Dies at Age of 74. The Philadelphia Inquirer.
43 Griswold, Mac and Eleanor Weller. 1991. The Golden Age of American Gardens: Proud Owners, Private Estates 1890-1940. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
Page 148.
44 Harvard University. 1903. Secretarys First Report, Harvard College: Class of 1902. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. Page 184.
45 Harvard University. 1899. Harvard University Catalog, The Bussey Institution. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. Page 169.
46 Pray, James Sturgis. January 1911. The Department of Landscape Architecture in Harvard University. Landscape Architecture. Vol. 1, No. 2. New York:
N.Y. Pages 56-57.
47 The Cultural Landscape Foundation. Jacques-Henri-Auguste Grber. Accessed March 10, 2015 at http://tclf.org/pioneer/jacques-gr%C3%A9ber
48 The Cultural Landscape Foundation. Thomas W. Sears. Accessed March 10, 2015 at http://tclf.org/pioneer/thomas-w-sears
49 Paul, Oglesby. January 6, 1906. The Ideal Country Home. Horticulture. Pages 16-17.
50 Unknown. August 18, 1905. Flower Men Adjourn: Last Days Session Full of Business and Pleasure. The Washington Post. Page 2.
51 Philadelphia Architects and Buildings. Oglesby Paul, Landscape Architect (d.1915). Accessed on March 9, 2015 at
http://www.philadelphiabuildings.org/pab/app/ar_display.cfm/22324
52 Unknown. 1902. Organizations and Individuals Municipal Engineering. Vol. 23, page 479.
53 Personal communication with Tammy Hamilton at Hershey Community Archives. Oglesby Paul Landscape Architect was hired to landscape the entire
community of Hershey, PA as well as High Point, the Hershey familys private residence. Invoices and plans suggest Oglesby Pauls firm worked with
Hershey at least between 1908-1914.
54 Alpha Associates Website. 1991- High Gate Mansion, Fairmont, WV. Accessed on March 9, 2015 at
http://www.alphaaec.com/holiday/detail.php?id=13
55 Bemis, Margaret Page. 2009. Historic Virginia Gardens: Preservation Work of the Garden Club of Virginia, 1975-2007. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press.
Page 133.
29
59

All letterhead, paid advertisements, and plans from the firm that have been examined credited the work to Oglesby Paul, Landscape Architect without any
mention of partners or associates, despite the fact that at least Arthur F. Paul had been working with Oglesby Paul since 1903.
57 American Architects and Buildings Project. Paul, Arthur F. Landscape Architect. Biography. Accessed November 22, 2014 from
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/seven-of-nations-10-most-affluent-counties-are-in-washington-region/2012/09/19/f580bf30-028b-11e28102-ebee9c66e190_story.html
58 Unknown. November 30, 1952. Arthur F. Paul Dies at Age of 74. The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
59 Unknown. April 18, 1937. Gardening Program Inaugurated by KBST; Authority Presents Letters each Tuesday and Thursday Morning. Abilene ReporterNews. Abilene, Texas. Page 5.
60 National Register Listing in Maryland for Tyrconnell. Accessed December 2, 2014 from
http://mht.maryland.gov/nr/NRDetail.aspx?HDID=857&FROM=NRMapBA.html
61 Library of Congress. Montpelier Marion du Pont Scott house, 11395 Constitution Highway, Montpelier, Orange County, Virginia. Willow Gate.
Accessed November 23, 2014 from http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2008680015/
62 Oglesby Paul. February 28, 1911. Key List for Planting Plan for Evergreen Walk for the Garden of Mrs. Fairfax Harrison, Belvoir, VA. Mary Moore
Personal Collection of Belvoir and Harrison family photographs and manuscripts.
64 Ibid.
65 Martin, Mrs. James Bland, editor. 1970. Follow the Green Arrow: The History of the Garden Club of Virginia, 1920-1970. Richmond: The Dietz Press, Inc. Pages
1-4.
66 Hetty Harrison served in various positions within the Garden Club of America, which include: Vice President, Director, Chairman of the Nominating
Committee, and Vice Chair of the National Capitol Committee, and Chair of the Committee on Education and Fellowship. Information provided by
Anne R. Myers from the Garden Club of America Archives.
67 Martin, Mrs. James Bland, editor. 1970. Follow the Green Arrow: The History of the Garden Club of Virginia, 1920-1970. Richmond: The Dietz Press, Inc. Page 6.
68 Garden Club of Virginia Archives, Kent Valentine House.
69 The Garden Club of America. The GCA Internship in Garden History and Design. Accessed on December 2, 2014 from
https://www.gcamerica.org/index.cfm/scholarships/details/id/14
70 Ibid.
71 Brown, Elizabeth. 1956. Mrs. Fairfax Harrison President.
Forty Years On: A Brief History of the Fauquier and Loudoun Garden Club 1915-1955. Pages 10-11.
Provided by Anne R. Myers from the Garden Club of America Archives.
72 Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, Belvoir House Created by the Fauquier and Loudoun Garden Club, Garden Club of America
Collection.
73 Ibid.
74 Numerous articles on rock gardens and rock gardening appeared in early issues of the Garden Gossip, the Garden Club of Virginias magazine. A number of
the early Garden Gossip cover photos are of rock gardens. Garden Club of Virginia archives, Kent-Valentine House.
75 The Library of Congress. Frances Benjamin Johnston Biographical Overview and Chronology. Prints and Photographs Reading Room. Information
accessed on December 2, 2014 at http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/coll/fbjchron.html
76 Ibid.
77 Belvoir, Fairfax Harrison house, Star Route 709, The Plains, Fauquier County Virginia. Temple. Information on how slides were used found in the Notes
section accessed on December 2, 2014 from http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/fbj/item/2008679239/
56
60

Garden Club of Virginia Archives. February, 1934. Cover photo of fringe tree at Belvoir with caption Notable Virginia Trees: Fringe Tree at Belvoir,
Estate of Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax Harrison. The Garden Gossip. Kent-Valentine House.
79 Unknown. April 27, 1944. Belvoir Estate of 685 Acres Bought W.D. Pawley. The Fauquier Democrat. Page 1.
80 Unknown. April 8, 1942. Judges Chosen for Flower Mart. The Washington Post.
81 Unknown. August 13, 1930. Gymkhana at Belvoir Saturday Afternoon. The Fauquier Democrat.
82 Unknown. June 11, 1938. Miss Sally Harrison becomes Bride of Gerhard Dieke. The Fauquier Democrat. Page 1.
83 Harrison, Fairfax. September 12, 1917. Letter to E. Albert Smith, Esq, Superintendant of Schools, Warrenton, VA, regarding experimental summer school
the Harrisons started at Belvoir for local children who had not previously attended school. From the Fairfax Harrison Papers 1736-1945, Special
84 Unknown. August 16, 1931. Foxcroft Teacher Weds Chicago Man. The Washington Post.
85 Orange County Hunt Club. November 11, 1927. Letter to Mr. Fairfax Harrison thanking him for the generous subscription. Accession number 1843,
Fairfax Harrison Papers 1911-1943, Special Collections, University of Virginia Library.
86 Unknown. February 5, 1938. Fairfax Harrison, 69, Retired President of Southern Railway Company, Dies in Baltimore Hospital of Heart Disease. The
Fauquier Democrat. Page 1.
87 Fairfax Harrison. March 21, 1916. Letter to Miss M. Louise Evans, c/o the Fauquier Democrat, Warrenton Va. Accession number 1843, Fairfax Harrison
Papers 1911-1943, Special Collections, University of Virginia Library.
89 Brown, Elizabeth. 1956. 1921, Mrs. Fairfax Harrison President.
Forty Years On: A Brief History of the Fauquier and Loudoun Garden Club 1915-1955. Page 8.
Provided by Anne R. Myers from the Garden Club of America Archives.
90 Rieley & Associates Landscape Architects. November, 2004. The Garden Club of Virginia, Chairmen of the Restoration Committee from 1920-1995.
Excerpts from Follow the Green Arrow, Volumes 1 and 2.
91 Personal communication with Mary Moore based on documents and landscape plans concerning Mount Vernon found within Harrison family archives.
92 Unknown. October 23, 1920. Harrison Baird. The Fauquier Democrat. Page 1.
93 Harrison, Fairfax. Letters and telegrams from Fairfax Harrison to members of his family. Accession number 1843, Fairfax Harrison Papers 1911-1943,
Special Collections, University of Virginia Library.
94 Unknown. February 5, 1938. Fairfax Harrison, 69, Retired President of Southern Railway Company, Dies in Baltimore Hospital of Heart Disease. The
Fauquier Democrat. Page 1.
95 Unknown. November 29, 1931. Concert Patronesses. The Washington Post. Page S3.
96 Unknown. Entries in the handwriting of Fairfax Harrison from the Belvoir Book. Accession number 1843, Fairfax Harrison Papers 1911-1943, Special
97 Harrison, Fairfax. Various letters regarding travel with the children to Europe. Accession number 1843, Fairfax Harrison Papers 1911-1943, Special
98 Unknown. July 24, 1927. Rare Blooms Lauded at Big Garden Display. The Washington Post.
99 Unknown. May 16, 1935. U.S. Iris Medal Awaits Takoma Show Winner. National Society to Award Silver Honor; Judges are Listed. The Washington Post.
100 Unknown. February 3, 1938. Fairfax Harrison. Editorial. Richmond News Leader.
101 Unknown. February 4, 1938. Ex-President of Southern Ry. Heart Victim. New York Times. Page 1.
102 Ibid.
103 Harrison, Fairfax. October 21, 1937. Memo to officers of the Southern Railway System announcing Fairfax Harrisons decision to retire. Accession
number 1843, Fairfax Harrison Papers 1911-1943, Special Collections, University of Virginia Library.
78
61

Harrison, Fairfax. May, 1912. Letter to H.H. Accession number 1843, Fairfax Harrison Papers 1911-1943, Special Collections, University of Virginia
Library.
105 Unknown. Entries in the handwriting of Fairfax Harrison from the Belvoir Book. Accession number 1843, Fairfax Harrison Papers 1911-1943, Special
106 Harrison, Fairfax. Epitaph. Accession number 1843, Fairfax Harrison Papers 1911-1943, Special Collections, University of Virginia Library.
107 Unknown. April 8, 1942. Judges Chosen for Flower Mart. The Washington Post.
108 Rieley & Associates Landscape Architects. November, 2004. The Garden Club of Virginia, Chairmen of the Restoration Committee from 1920-1995.
Excerpts from Follow the Green Arrow, Volumes 1 and 2.
109 Massie Medal Award Committee, The Garden Club of Virginia. May 14, 1943. Report of Massie Medal Award Committee. The Garden Club of
Virginia Archives, Kent-Valentine House.
110 Unknown. April 20, 1941. Horticulture Group Elects. The Washington Post.
111 Unknown. August 27, 1939. Tribute Paid to Mary Washington. The Washington Post.
112 Personal communication with Mary Moore based on documents found within the Harrison family archives.
113 Unknown. March 7, 1939. Colonial Dames to Give Tea for National President. The Washington Post.
114 Harrison, Hetty. April 12, 1941. Belvoir lease agreement between Hetty Harrison and Hamilton Robinson. Fairfax Harrison Papers 1886-1973, Mss1
H2463 q 538-555, Virginia Historical Society Archives.
115 Ibid.
117 Harrison, Hetty Fairfax. December 13, 1941. Letter to Mrs. Sands. Garden Club of Virginia Archives, Kent-Valentine House.
118 Massie Medal Award Committee, The Garden Club of Virginia. May 14, 1943. Report of Massie Medal Award Committee. The Garden Club of
Virginia Archives, Kent-Valentine House.
119 Harrison, Hetty. May 24, 1943. Letter expressing appreciation for having received the Massie Medal. The Garden Club of Virginia Archives, KentValentine House.
120 Unknown. June 24, 1943. Mrs. Harrison, Widow of Former Railroad Head, Dies on June 23. The Fauquier Democrat. Page 1.
121 Unknown. Tribute to Mrs. Fairfax Harrison. Editorial in The News Leader, Richmond, VA. Located in The Garden Club of Virginia Archives, KentValentine House.
122 Massie, Susan. June, 1943. Mrs. Fairfax Harrison. The Garden Club of Virginia Archives, Kent-Valentine House.
123 Martin, Mrs. James Bland, editor. 1970. Follow the Green Arrow: The History of the Garden Club of Virginia, 1920-1970. Richmond: The Dietz Press, Inc. Page
83.
124 Ibid.
125 After Fairfax Harrison died in 1938, Hetty appears to have adopted Mrs. Hetty Fairfax Harrison as her official name.
126 Letters between First and Merchants National Bank and Mrs. Charles Baird Jr. Fairfax Harrison Papers 1886-1973, Mss1 H2463 q 538-555, Virginia
Historical Society Archives.
127 Ibid.
128 Ryland, S.P. April 12, 1944. Letter to Mrs. Charles Baird, Jr. Fairfax Harrison Papers 1886-1973, Mss1 H2463 q 538-555, Virginia Historical Society
Archives.
104
62
View of Entrance Drive From Belvoir House South Porch, 2014.
63
THE PAWLEY ERA: 1944-1960

BELVOIR AS COUNTRY RETREAT
William D. Pawley was born in Florence, South Carolina, but spent most of his childhood in Cuba and grew up
speaking Spanish fluently.1 Despite a lack of formal education, he became a successful self-made businessman, first
in Florida real estate speculation and later with aviation ventures in Florida, Cuba, and Asia.2 Acting as CurtissWright Corporations sales representative in China in the 1930s, Pawley positioned himself as the exclusive source
of American military aircraft sold to the Chinese government. He reportedly sold 30 million dollars worth of
planes and services to China, earning him the nickname the China Swashbuckler for his role in airplane
manufacturing negotiations there.3 He went on to build an airplane factory in India to support the Allies in Asia
during World War II, and was involved in establishing the Flying Tigers, a group of American volunteer pilots who
flew for the Chinese Air Force.4 Having made a fortune from his ventures in Asia, Pawley returned to the U.S. in
1944 to pursue an interest in politics and diplomacy, and to establish residency near Washington D.C.
Pawleys fluency in Spanish was an asset, and his diplomatic aspirations were quickly realized when President
Harry Truman appointed Pawley as the Ambassador to Peru in 1945, and then as Ambassador to Brazil from 1946
through 1948.5 Pawley eventually switched political parties, and campaigned for his friend Dwight Eisenhower
during his bid for the presidency in 1952. President Eisenhower later assigned Pawley to the State Department,
where he handled sensitive national security matters, and dealt with world leaders as a Special Advisor.6 He was a
frequent guest at the White House during the Eisenhower administration, and remained a close personal friend and
supporter of the President.
At the time William and Edna Pawley purchased Belvoir in 1944, they owned a 20-room home in Miami Beach as
well as a residence in Washington D.C.7,8 Pawley was an avid sportsman, and was likely drawn to purchase this
large farm for its hunting and fishing opportunities, while remaining close to the political scene of D.C. He also
dabbled in raising racehorses at Belvoir, an effort that was met with some amount of success.9,10 Belvoir was more
of a country retreat and entertainment venue for the Pawleys than merely another residence. Within just a few
years of purchasing Belvoir Farm, Pawley had a 10-acre lake dug on the property and stocked with bass.11 He also

64
raised pheasants, chukar partridge, and quail at the farm, dedicating more than 100-acres to growing feed for the
game birds, and worked with Virginia authorities to have Belvoir declared a game preserve. 12,13 The Pawleys
frequently entertained friends and guests for fishing and hunting, and used Belvoir to host events and rallies for
political purposes.14,15 Ike and Mamie Eisenhower were frequent visitors to Belvoir, as Eisenhower and Pawley
had become close friends who shared like-minded political views. 16 There, the Eisenhowers could relax and enjoy
being pampered by the wealthy Pawleys. In a letter to Pawley, Eisenhower wrote of Belvoir:
I cannot tell you
what both of us
wouldnt give this
minute to be able to
sit leisurely there a
week or two, on the
back porch of your
home, with no
thought of going
farther astray than
the bass lake to see if
the big ones are
rising to fly.17
During their tenure,

the Pawleys renovated
and furnished the house
at Belvoir with antiques,
and further decorated
with tiger skins and
other souvenirs of biggame hunts in India.
65
Figure 4-1: 1953 General Design Plan by Rose Greely for Mrs. William Pawley Belvoir The Plains,
Virginia. (Rose Greely Papers, MSS 10772, Special Collections, University of Virginia)
The Pawleys
also introduced
changes and
additions to the
formal gardens and
grounds. While it is
not known for certain,
it is likely that the
Pawleys installed the
greenhouses at
Belvoir. They do not
appear on any of the
historic aerials that
date to the Harrison
era (figures 2-2, 3-34,
3-35), and oral
history suggested
Edna used the
greenhouses to
provide fresh cut
flowers year-round.20
18,19
Figure 4-2: 1953 Planting Plan for the Perennial Garden by Rose Greely for Mrs. William Pawley Belvoir The Plains,
Edna Pawley, William D. Pawleys second wife, has been another elusive historical figure, and to date very little
information has been uncovered about her for this study. A brief mention of her describes: Mrs. Pawley, an
Oklahoma gal, is a most satisfactory blonde.21 There is no known evidence that she engaged in local Fauquier County
society events or organizations. Press coverage of Edna appears to be limited to society page entries that tracked
Ambassador Pawley and wife on a more national, rather than local, level.22 However, based on surviving plans, we
do know that between 1951 and 1953 she hired landscape architect Rose Greely from Washington D.C. to update
the formal grounds and gardens at Belvoir.23

66
Rose Ishbel Greely (1887-1969), trained in a number of artistic disciplines, was also certified in both architecture
and landscape architecture.24 After graduation, she worked as a draftsman for Fletcher Steele before returning to
her hometown of Washington D.C. to work with Horace Peaslee.25 By 1925 Greely had become Washingtons first
female licensed architect, and had established her own successful architectural firm which went on to handle a wide
variety of both architectural and landscape commissions.26 Greely was a frequent contributor to House Beautiful,
authoring articles on a range of horticultural and design topics. By the time Greely began working with the
Pawleys on updates for Belvoirs formal grounds and gardens, she was winding down a very productive, forty year
long career.27
Figure 4-3: 1952 Bulb Plan for the Perennial Garden by Rose Greely for Mrs. William Pawley Belvoir The Plains,
67
It is unknown how the Pawleys came to
hire Greely for this particular commission.

Greelys prominence in her field at the
time of commission may have been reason
enough. However, it is interesting to
speculate that Greely may have had some
familiarity with the gardens at Belvoir
during the Harrison era that may have
made her an obvious choice for the
Pawleys. Hetty and Greely were
contemporaries who lived in fairly close
proximity, shared many interests in
horticulture and design, and would have
potentially traveled in overlapping D.C.
circles. It is clear that Greely and Hetty
knew each other, as they served together as
judges in 1940 for the prestigious Flower
Mart held annually on the Pilgrim Steps of
Washington Cathedral.28 It is therefore
Figure 4-4: 1952 Construction Details for Walls, Steps, and Walks by Rose Greely for
possible that Greely was familiar with the
Mrs. William Pawley Belvoir The Plains, Virginia. (Rose Greely Papers MSS 10772,
Special Collections, University of Virginia)
grounds and gardens at Belvoir while
Hetty was alive and the gardens were in
their prime, which may have ultimately played a role in bringing Greely together with the Pawleys.
68
The Rose Greely Architectural Drawings and Papers
1909-1961 located in Special Collections at the

University of Virginia contain several drawings for Mrs.
William Pawley at Belvoir, The Plains, Virginia.29 These
include a General Design Plan; Planting, Bulb, and
Annual Plans for the Perennial Gardens; Construction
Details for Walls, Steps, and Walks; and a Plan for the
Tennis Court Terrace (figures 4-1 through 4-5). There
are no known surviving correspondences between the
Pawleys and Greelys office to accompany the surviving
landscape plans, therefore many details concerning the
project, such as the intended scope of work, or the extent
of implementation of the designs, remain unknown.
However, an examination of the plans suggests a highly
deferential approach was agreed upon for updating the
gardens, particularly with respect to the formal boxwood
garden.
For the formal boxwood garden, the design layout and
spatial configurations were left intact (figure 4-1). The

overall approach seems to have focused on simplifying
Figure 4-5: 1952 Plan for Tennis Court Terrace by Rose Greely for Mrs.
William Pawley Belvoir The Plains, Virginia. (Rose Greely Papers MSS the eight-mirrored beds by eliminating the intricate
10772, Special Collections, University of Virginia)
parterres seen in the late Harrison era aerials, and
updating the aging planting plan (figure 3-35). The
Planting Plan of the Perennial Garden suggests a design very much in keeping with Hettys original perennial
planting scheme, possibly through division and reuse of some of her plants such as irises, peonies, daylilies, phlox,
etc. (figure 4-2). New plant introductions to the formal boxwood garden included standard French lilacs, Azalea
hinodegiri, and Magnolia soulangiana (figure 4-1).
69
The most substantial updates to Belvoirs formal grounds were suggested for hardscape elements, which included
redoing the rear and front terraces, steps, and walls; introducing a new flagstone terrace at the bottom of the
southwest porch; creating a new terrace next to the tennis court; and expanding the entrance court (figures 4-1, 4-5,
and 4-6). With the exception of the proposed flagstone terrace at the base of the southwest porch, physical
evidence confirms that all proposed hardscape elements were installed (figures 4-7 through 4-16). There is no
evidence that proposed plantings to accompany these hardscape elements were ever realized, as they do not exist in
the landscape today (Figure 4-1). Greely demanded that her projects were implemented to a very high standard,
resulting in projects that were extremely well built, and many of her hardscape installations have endured the test of
time.30 Today, all the Greely designed hardscape features for Belvoir are extant, except for the tennis court terrace
which was intentionally removed by the current owners.
Figure 4-6: Rose Greely Designed South Porch Stone Steps, 2014.
Figure 4-7: Photograph From Porch Looking Down Rose Greely Designed
South Porch Steps, 2014.
70
Figure 4-8: Rose Greely Designed Rear Terrace, 2014.
Figure 4-9: Rose Greely Designed Curving Rear Terrace

Stairs, 2014.
Figure 4-10: Rose Greely Designed Curving Steps to Tennis Court

Terrace, East Lawn, 2014.
71
Figure 4-11: Site of Former Rose Greely Designed

Tennis Court Terrace on the East Lawn, 2014.
Figure 4-14: Rose Greely Designed

Front Entrance Stairs and Walkway
as Seen From the Entrance Court,
2014.
Figure 4-12: Rose Greely Designed Front Entrance Court

as Seen From the House, 2014.
Figure 4-13: Rose Greely

Designed Front Entrance
Stairs and Walkway as Seen
From the House, 2014.
Figure 4-15: Rose Greely Designed Front Entrance Hardscape, 2014.
72
During the 1950s, Pawley invested heavily in business ventures in Cuba that included a public transportation
system and a sugar plantation.31 Quite familiar with the inner workings in Cuba, he was vocal with the U.S. State
Department and Administration about his concerns regarding the political state of affairs in Cuba, warning of a
communist takeover if Fidel Castro ever came to power.32 Pawley and the State Department did not agree on an
interpretation of the threat Castro represented at that time. After Castro seized power, Pawley went on to spend
years and much of his personal fortune attempting to support an overthrow of Castro.33 It is unclear exactly why
the Pawleys chose to sell Belvoir Farm during these tumultuous times, but it is possible that Pawley felt he needed to
relocate to Florida to be closer to the situation in Cuba. In December of 1960, Belvoir Farm was sold to E.
DeLong Bowman of Sunset Hills, Fairfax County Virginia.34

Thayer, Mary Van Rensselaer. August 14, 1947. Flying Tiger Diplomat is U.S. Host at Rio. The Washington Post. Page B3.
Ibid.
3 Unknown. April 27, 1944. Belvoir Estate of 685 Acres Bought by W.D. Pawley. The Fauquier Democrat. Page 1.
4 Carrozza, Anthony R. 2012. William D. Pawley: The Extraordinary Life of the Adventurer, Entrepreneur, and Diplomat Who Cofounded the Flying Tigers. Washington D.C.:
Potomac Books.
5 Thayer, Mary Van Rensselaer. August 14, 1947. Flying Tiger Diplomat is U.S. Host at Rio. The Washington Post. Page B3.
Potomac Books. Page 196.
7 Unknown. April 22, 1944. China Swashbuckler Buys Showplace at Warrenton. The Washington Post. Page 3.
8 Personal communication from Robert Gaskins regarding the Pawleys having a residence in Washington D.C. August, 2014.
9 Unknown. September 30, 1947. Travancore Wins Gansett Feature. The Washington Post. Page 14.
10 Unknown. February 14, 1951. Baltimorean Brings Meet Total to 17. The Washington Post. Page 23.
11 Pattee, Dorothea. April 12, 1953. Fauquier Folk Live High and Handsome. The Washington Post. Page S3.
13 Ibid.
15 Sampson, Paul. October 15, 1956. Humphrey Tells GOP Objectives. The Washington Post and Times Herald. Page 18.
17 Ibid.
18 Unknown. April 12, 1962. Noted for its Classical Gardens. The Fauquier Democrat. Page 1.
19 Thayer, Mary Van Rensselaer. August 14, 1947. Flying Tiger Diplomat is U.S. Host at Rio. The Washington Post. Page B3.
20 Personal communication from Robert Gaskins regarding the greenhouses being in existence at Belvoir when the Bowmans assumed ownership. August, 2014.
1
2
73

Thayer, Mary Van Rensselaer. August 14, 1947. Flying Tiger Diplomat is U.S. Host at Rio. The Washington Post. Page B3.
Unknown. July 19, 1948. In New York. The Washington Post. Page B3.
Virginia.
24 The Cultural Landscape Foundation. Rose Ishbel Greely. Accessed on December 23, 2014 from http://tclf.org/pioneer/rose-greely
25 Ibid.
26 Ibid.
27 Ibid.
28 Unknown. May 1, 1940. Miss Rose Greely Judges Flower Mart. The Washington Post. Page 17.
Virginia.
30 30 The Cultural Landscape Foundation. Rose Ishbel Greely. Accessed on December 23, 2014 from http://tclf.org/pioneer/rose-greely
32 Ibid, page 214.
33 Ibid, pages 225-236.
21
22
74
View of Belvoir Farm Paddock and Stables, 2014.
75
THE BOWMAN ERA: 1960-1976

BELVOIR AS HORSE CENTER
E. DeLong Bowman was President and Chairman
of the Board of A. Smith Bowman Distillery, a

family business founded in 1935 that produced
Virginia Gentleman bourbon whiskey at Sunset
Hills Farm in Fairfax County.1 Prior to the
purchase of Belvoir Farm, the Bowmans lived at the
4000-acre Sunset Hills Farm where they raised
cattle and thoroughbred horses.2 E.D. Bowman
was an accomplished equestrian, and served as the
master of the Fairfax Hunt.3 The Bowmans sold
Sunset Hills Farm to a national real estate
developer and was ultimately transformed into the
town of Reston.4 The Bowmans moved their herd
of shorthorn beef cattle and thoroughbreds from
Sunset Hills to Belvoir Farm, and continued to
operate the property as a working farm.5 During
the sixteen years the Bowmans owned Belvoir Farm,
Figure 5-1: 1976 Real Estate Brochure Front Cover for Belvoir Farm,
they introduced a number of new features into the
Prepared by Middleburg Real Estate Company. (Middleburg Real Estate
and Atoka Properties Archives)
larger farm landscape, as well as into the formal
gardens and grounds of Belvoir. A real estate
brochure prepared for Belvoir Farm in 1976
provides detailed written descriptions and images that capture a number of these introductions, and provide
valuable insight into the status of the property by the end of the Bowman era (figures 5-1, 5-2, 5-3, and 5-4).
76
During this period,
Belvoir Farm was much

more focused on cattle
and horse operations than
on raising agricultural
crops, as in the Harrison
and Pawley tenures. For
example, the introduction
of Harvestore silo feeding
facilities by the Bowmans
allowed the farm to
accommodate herds of
over 300 cows and calves
(figure 5-3). The land
holding was also grown to
870 acres, with springs
and/or ponds created in
every field to support
either cattle or horse
operations (figure 5-3).6 It
appears that Bowman was
Figure 5-2: Page 2 from 1976 Real Estate Brochure for
Figure 5-3: Page 3 from 1976 Real Estate Brochure for
Belvoir Farm, Prepared by Middleburg Real Estate
Belvoir Farm, Prepared by Middleburg Real Estate
interested very early on in
Company. (Middleburg Real Estate and Atoka
Company. (Middleburg Real Estate and Atoka
redeveloping Belvoir
Properties Archives)
Properties Archives)
Farm into a major
thoroughbred horse
operation. As early as 1963 Belvoir was already known as a large breeding farm, and in progress was the build out
of the 5/8-mile training track (figure 5-3).7 Later in 1964 a covered all-weather indoor track of 1/6 mile and an
adjacent fireproof stable were added to support the thoroughbred enterprise (figure 5-3).8 The Bowmans made
additional introductions, which included two man-made ponds in addition to Pawleys 24-acre lake, which were
77
used for fishing, recreation, and as water supply for

livestock (figure 5-3). The extent of the built
environment of the larger farm property as it existed in
1976 can be gleaned from the following excerpt from
the real estate brochure: there are other barns, sheds and
buildings for a complete farming operation, as well as 10 other
houses. Two of these are very good residences and are rented out
at the present time. Another could be a fine residence with some
remodeling.9
The Bowmans appear to have largely maintained the

formal gardens and grounds as they existed when they
purchased the property. Mrs. Bowman was known as
a skillful gardener, and it is likely she had an
appreciation for the underlying Harrison-era designs
Figure 5-4: Back Cover from 1976 Real Estate Brochure for Belvoir Farm,
Prepared by Middleburg Real Estate Company. Belvoir Farm Property
Boundaries Outlined in White. Outdoor and Indoor Race Tracks Visible to
the Left of Belvoir House and Formal Grounds. (Middleburg Real Estate
and Atoka Properties Archives).
and Pawley-era updates.10 The few edits made to the formal

gardens during the Bowman era were limited to the
introduction of a very long boxwood hedge along the southern
edge of the formal boxwood garden, and the construction of a
swimming pool to the south of the garden temple (figures 5-5,
5-6, and Plan of Belvoir Formal Grounds). Transplanted
boxwood the Bowmans had relocated from Sunset Hills Farm
were used to create the new boxwood hedge.11 In 1962,

Figure 5-5: Bowman Era Boxwood Hedge Consisting of

Boxwood Transplanted from Sunset Hills Farm to Belvoir,
2014.
78
Belvoir was a featured property for the GCV Historic Garden

Week tour.12
In late 1976, the Bowmans sold Belvoir Farm for $1.95
million to Carl Fischer of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.13,14 The

Fischer family had large holdings in real estate and citrus
groves in Brazil at the time, and were looking to expand their
holdings into the U.S. Interestingly, the Bowmans leased back
Belvoir Farm for the first five years after the sale, continuing
to live and farm there, but allowing the Fischer family to
spend two months in the summer at Belvoir while the
Bowmans summered elsewhere.15
Figure 5-6: Bowman Era Introduced Swimming Pool Near Garden

Temple, 2014.
Barnes, Bart. October 20, 1989. E.D. Bowman Dies at 78; Headed Virginia Distillery. The Washington Post. Page D4.
Ibid.
3 Ibid.
4 Ibid.
6 Unknown. February 5, 1977. Recent Fauquier Property Sales. The Washington Post. Page D30.
7 Slater, Kitty. October 4, 1963. The Horse Country The Washington Post. Page D4.
8 Unknown. July 9, 1964. Belvoir Horse Center Approved. The Fauquier Democrat.
10 Unknown. April 12, 1962. Noted for Its Classical Gardens. The Fauquier Democrat. Page 1.
11 Personal communication from Belvoir gardener Robert Gaskins, July 2014.
12 Unknown. April 12, 1962. Noted for Its Classical Gardens. The Fauquier Democrat. Page 1.
13 Unknown. February 5, 1977. Recent Fauquier Property Sales. The Washington Post. Page D30.
14 Trumbo, Trudy. December 30, 1976. Belvoir Sold to Brazilian. The Fauquier Democrat. Page 1.
15 Ibid.
1
2
79
80
Belvoir Formal Boxwood Garden in August, 2014.
81
BELVOIR IN THE 21ST CENTURY

DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT LANDSCAPE
Belvoir Farm Today
For nearly forty years, the Fischer

family has maintained Belvoir Farm as
an active agricultural enterprise. Now
896 acres in size, the emphasis of the
farm has been primarily returned to
crop production, as was the case
during the Harrison era, and the cattle
and horse operations the Bowmans
introduced have been abandoned
altogether. The working farm is leased
to a local farmer who also oversees
rental of the existing stables and
pastures for boarding horses. Five
residences remain associated with the
property, including Belvoir. The
Fischers continue to use Belvoir as a
private, part-time residence mainly
during the summer months to escape
the Brazilian winter. While the
property has evolved under the current
ownership, changes to the farm,
formal residence, and associated
grounds have been fairly minimal.

Figure 6-1: Plan of Belvoir House Formal Grounds and Key to Former Garden Features.
82
Figure 6-2: Belvoir House and Formal Grounds

from Harrison Road, 2014.
Figure 6-3: Belvoir Entrance Gates, 2014.
Figure 6-4: View Across Southwest Lawn from

Entrance Drive, 2014.
These alterations have consisted largely of either loss of aging plant

material or modernization of existing structures. Intentional changes and
modernization have been implemented sensitively and in such a manner so
as to minimize the impact on the historic landscape and building exteriors.
During the Harrison era, Belvoir Farm was nearly a constant work in
Figure 6-5: View Across Southeast Lawn from

Entrance Drive, 2014.
83
progress. While the subsequent three owners have all left their mark, those
changes have left much of the original Harrison era property intact: the
larger farm landscape Fairfax Harrison assembled remains largely
unchanged and continues to be used for agricultural purposes, and the
formal residence, gardens, and grounds continue to largely reflect design
intent and spatial organization dating to the Harrisons.
Figure 6-6: Belvoir House Main Entrance, 2014.
Figure 6-7: Rose Greely Designed Entrance Court,

2014.
Figure 6-8: Views of Belvoir Farm Buildings in the

Distance, 2014.
The Approach
Belvoir is approached from Harrison Road, exactly as it was during the

Harrisons tenure (figure 6-1). As Belvoir Farms site context remains largely
reflective of its early 20th century setting, with large farms and dispersed
homesteads surrounding it, the approaching views of Belvoir Farm have
changed little (figures 2-2, 6-2). One difference is that the house has greater
visibility from Harrison Road due to increased gaps in the thinning perimeter
evergreen plantings (figure 6-2). Stone pillars and wrought iron gates that date
to the Harrisons frame the private entrance drive to Belvoir, with a small brass
plaque with the name Belvoir Farm mounted on one of the pillars (figure 6-3).
Figure 6-9: Harrison era garages, 2014.
84
Figure 6-10: Harrison Era Barn, 2014.
Figure 6-11: Inner Drive, Service Court on Left, 2014.
Figure 6-13: Farm Office and Smoke House as Seen

from Service Court, 2014.
Figure 6-14: View of Inner Drive From Intersection

with Pierpoint Lane, 2014.
85
Figure 6-12: View of Former Kitchen Gardens,

2014.
Figure 6-15: View Down Pierpoint Lane Towards

Harrison Road, 2014.
Circulation
Belvoirs entrance and interior roads appear to have the same layout as
they did during the Harrisons tenure (figures 1-7, 3-35, 6-1). Large
maple trees still frame the entrance drive, albeit in smaller numbers than
were seen on historic aerial images (figures 1-7). Due to the loss of trees,
the house can be partially seen from the moment one turns into the
drive, which is unlikely to have been the case when the alles were intact
(figures 1-7, 6-3). The drive itself has been resurfaced in asphalt and pea
stone, possibly reflecting an earlier gravel treatment. Through the tree
trunks are long views of the southwest and southeast lawn areas (figures
6-4, 6-5). As can be seen in figure 6-1, the entrance drive gently curves
to the right as it approaches the house (figure 6-6). Belvoir house sits on
the highest elevation within the formal grounds, approximately 8 feet
above the entrance drive grade. The front entrance is reached via the
Greely-designed landing, steps, and walkway installed in the 1950s. The
Greely-designed entrance court provides limited parking and valuable
pull out space, as the entrance drive is only wide enough for a single
vehicle (figure 6-7).
Figure 6-16: Harrison Era Eastern White Pines, 2014.
The inner drive continues forward past the house, smoke house, and
farm office building before turning sharply to the left near the garages,
all buildings that date to the Harrisons (figures 6-8, 6-9). Farm related
buildings and structures, once hidden behind a screen of trees (figure 17), are visible in the distance across fenced pastures (figure 6-8). Just past
the garages and on the right is the Harrison barn dating to 1907
Figure 6-17: View of the Blue Ridge Mountains from

House, 2014.
86
(Appendix A, figure 6-10). The drive continues straight past the

barn, former kitchen garden, and horse pasture on the right, and a
service court on the left as well as the stone cottage, spring house,
greenhouse, and former cutting garden behind a tall stone wall
(figures 6-11, 6-12). With the exception of the Pawley greenhouse,
these features were all introduced by the Harrisons. The service
court provides access to the kitchen and basement of the house,
smokehouse, farm office, and the stone cottage (figure 6-13). The
inner drive ultimately terminates at the intersection with Pierpoint
Lane, an access road for the larger working farm property (figures 614, 6-15).
Figure 6-18: Southeast Lawn, 2014.
The Formal Grounds and Gardens
Within the formal grounds, the Harrisons had successfully created a

series of distinct garden spaces and experiences surrounding the
house (figures 1-7, 3-35). Today they still largely reflect that spatial
configuration and design intent. Historic fabric has certainly been
lost over time, however, particularly with respect to plant material.
In some instances, landscape features were intentionally removed to
simplify maintenance or to address safety concerns, such as with the
deteriorating tennis court, which was removed and returned to lawn
area, the removal of one of the greenhouses deemed unsafe, and the
transformation of the cutting garden into a lower maintenance lawn
area.1
Figure 6-19: East Lawn, 2014.
87
Perimeter Plantings
Dense perimeter plantings of evergreen and deciduous trees, used by
the Harrisons to define and spatially separate the formal residence from
the larger working agricultural landscape, have thinned with time
(figures 1-7, 6-2). This has been largely due to the loss of aging trees,
significant storm events, and inevitable change in plant form such as
with the Eastern white pines located at the southwest corner of the lawn
(figure 6-16).
Lawns
Extensive areas of lawn have characterized this landscape since the
beginning of the 20th century, as can be seen from the historic aerial
photographs (figures 1-7, 3-35). Today, large open areas of lawn
continue to dominate the south grounds on either side of the entrance
drive (figures 6-4, 6-5). Despite the infill of maturing trees near the
side-covered porch, the open southwest lawn allows important views
from the house to the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance to be
preserved (figure 6-17). During the Harrison era, the east lawn was
densely planted with a mixture of deciduous and evergreen trees (figure
1-7). Many of those trees are now gone, expanding the degree of open
lawn in this area of the grounds (figures 6-18, 6-19). The remnants of
Hettys rock garden are still visible near the fence line in the southeast
portion of the east lawn (figures 3-27, 6-20).
Figure 6-20: Former Harrison Rock Garden, 2014.
Figure 6-21: Site of Former Tennis Court, 2014.
A tennis court dating to the Harrisons once anchored the northeast
section of the east lawn, but was removed and replaced with lawn by
the current owner due to deterioration (figures 6-1, 6-21). In the 1950s,
Greely had designed a terrace for the Pawleys that was placed next to
Figure 6-22: Rose Greely Steps to Tennis Terrace,
2014.
88
Figure 6-23: Site of Former Tennis Terrace, 2014.
Figure 6-24: Former Kitchen Gardens, 2014.
Figure 6-26: View of Former Kitchen Garden Gate

Pillars, 2014.
Figure 6-27: Former Entrance Gate to Cutting

Garden on Right, 2014.
89
Figure 6-25: Low Stone Walls and Terraces in

Former Kitchen Garden, 2014.
Figure 6-28: Former Cutting Garden Stone

Fountains, 2014.
the tennis court, as well as elegant curving steps leading down to the
tennis terrace from the driveway (figures 4-5, 6-22, 6-23). The
staircase remains intact and is still in use, whereas the flagstone
terrace was largely dismantled. All that remains are a few partially
buried pavers and the garden bench to mark the spot under the
white pines.
Additional areas of the former Harrison gardens that were later
converted to lawn include the kitchen garden and the cutting garden
(figure 6-1). All that remains from the kitchen garden are two low
stone retaining walls that create shallow terraces, and two stone piers
that likely mark the former entrance gate into the previously fenced
in garden (figures 3-35, 6-24, 6-25, 6-26). Directly across from the
former kitchen garden stone piers are two symmetrically placed
stone piers marking the entrance gate into the former cutting garden,
located behind the tall stone wall along the inner drive (figures 3-35,
6-27). The extensive rose arbor and multitude of planting beds are
gone from the cutting garden and have been replaced with lower
maintenance lawn (figure 6-28). All that remains from the Harrison
cutting garden are the square and round stone fountains, a low
stonewall near the round fountain, and a number of white pines and
boxwood along the west perimeter stone wall. A few persistent
yuccas, daylilies, and irises poking through the turf are likely
holdovers from the former cutting beds.
Figure 6-29: Former Work Yard, 2014.
Figure 6-30: Pawley Era Greenhouse Complex, 2014.
Adjacent to the former cutting garden is the former work yard, which eventually became the site of the
greenhouses, presumably installed during the Pawleys tenure (figures 6-29). A concrete slab next to the existing

90
Figure 6-31: Formal Boxwood Garden From Second

Floor of House, 2014.
Figure 6-32: Former Parterre Now Grass, 2014.
Figure 6-33: Annual Plantings at Outer Edges of Turf Beds,

2014.
91
greenhouse is all that is left of

a second component to the
greenhouse complex,
previously taken down due to
safety concerns (figure 6-30).
The greenhouse is still in use
by the gardening staff today.
To the left of the greenhouse
is another low stone wall,
similar to one found in the
former kitchen and cutting
gardens (figure 6-29).
The Formal Boxwood Garden

The formal boxwood garden, clearly the centerpiece of the
Harrison formal grounds and gardens, continues to serve as such
today, albeit in a simplified and looser configuration. The Colonial
Revival geometric plan has been maintained, with eight mirrored
beds separated by grass turf paths, and the circular monopteros as
center anchor of the garden on axis with the house (figures 6-1, 631). The beds were simplified by Greelys updates to the formal
boxwood garden in that the parterres were converted into grass
panels (figures 4-1, 6-31, 6-32). Once overflowing with perennials,
annuals, and bulbs, the narrow planting strips that frame the turf
and boxwood beds continue to be cultivated, but are largely
planted out with summer annuals to complement residual
perennial peony, iris, daylily, and phlox (figure 6-33).
Historically, the formal boxwood garden appeared
highly ordered and organized through the concerted

use of sheared hedges, stone walls, and crisply
defined planting beds to reinforce the Colonial
Revival geometric plan (figures 3-22 through 3-27,
3-34). Maintaining and limiting the height of the
various hedges also allowed the formal boxwood
garden to be viewed as a whole from the rear terrace
and the house, as well as from other vantage points
within the boxwood garden itself (figure 6-34).
Today, the geometric plan still loosely reads as such
due to the survival of Harrison-era stone walls and
hedges, and the ongoing maintenance of crisply
edged planting beds (figures 6-32, 6-33, 6-35).
However, many of the boxwood are no longer being
shaped and sheared, resulting in unchecked growth
and form changes. In many cases, the boxwood are
Figure 6-34: Undated Photo of Formal Boxwood Garden from The Harrison Era
outgrowing the original design intent, obscuring
(Mary Moore Personal Collection)
rather than framing views, overtaking neighboring
plants and statuary, and partially obstructing pathways (figures 6-36, 6-37, 6-38, 6-39). As a result, the formal
boxwood garden is more segregated and cut off from the rear terrace, residence, and adjacent garden areas than
originally intended. The experience within the formal boxwood garden is a very different one today, as the
expanding boxwood now block off many views through the garden, and the larger garden context is obscured when
standing on the ground plane in many locations within the garden (figures 6-39, 6-40, 6-41, 6-42, 6-43).
92
The formal boxwood garden is still
accessible through multiple points of

entry, the design of which all date to
the Harrisons. The primary point of
access, and the most dramatic,
remains the entrance into the garden
on axis with the rear of the house
(figures 6-37, 6-44). The garden can
also be accessed at each of the four
corners through stone steps or
archways marking the transition. An
elegant stone paver path and archway
adjacent to the stone cottage provide
direct access to the formal garden
from the service court driveway, while
framing a glimpse of the garden
Figure 6-35: Crisply Edged Planting Beds, 2014.
beyond (figures 6-1, 6-45). A second
stone archway defines the transition
between the west end of the formal boxwood garden and the former cutting garden (figures 6-46, 6-47). Seams in
the stone wall between this archway and the surrounding wall suggest the archway was built first as a free standing
feature, with the adjoining walls added at a later time. This is consistent with historic images that indicate the wall
between the formal boxwood garden and the cutting garden was built fairly late during the Harrisons tenure
(figures 3-35, 6-34). Curving stone steps from the Harrison era mark entrances into the boxwood garden at the
southeast corner near the weeping cherries and near the garden temple in the southwest corner (figures 6-48, 6-49).
93
Figure 6-36: Turf Passage

Narrowed by Overgrown Lilac
and Boxwood, 2014.
Figure 6-39: O vergrown

Boxwood Obstructing Path,
2014.
Figure 6-37: View Along Central Axis from Rear Terrace, 2014.
Figure 6-40: Views of Monopteros Obstructed by

Unchecked Boxwood Growth, 2014.
Figure 6-38: Boy and Turtle

Fountain with Boxwood
Encroachment, 2014.
Figure 6-41: Views Through Formal Boxwood Garden

Obstructed by Overgrown Boxwood, 2014.
94
At the rear of the formal boxwood garden is a raised terrace that
dates to the Harrisons, as do the stone retaining wall and steps

(figures 6-34, 6-50, 6-51, 6-52). Upon this terrace sits the garden
temple and evergreens that also date to the Harrisons. The garden
temple has in recent years been rehabilitated on the interior to
function as a pool house. The remaining evergreen plants consist
largely of white pines, hemlock, yews, holly, and boxwoods, and in
many cases are in serious decline (figure 6-53). When one looks
down the plantings from one end, it appears there is a gap in the
middle suggestive of a walking path, with evergreens on both sides of
the path (figure 6-53). It is interesting to speculate if this might have
been the Evergreen Walk for the Garden of Mrs. Fairfax Harrison referred
to by Ogelsby Paul in 1911 (figure 3-11). At one time, the view
down the central axis of the garden from the house was largely
unobstructed, terminating in a view of the raised terrace (figure 6-34).
Today, the overgrown boxwood and vitex obstruct this long view
between the east and west ends of the garden (figure 6-52, 6-54).
Figure 6-42: Partially Obstructed Views Through the

Formal Boxwood Garden, 2014.
Several stone or cast stone garden features adorn the formal
boxwood garden, including a birdbath, the boy and turtle fountain, a

sundial, filled urns, and a putto statue (figures 6-55, 6-56, 6-57, 6-58,
6-59). The birdbath, boy and turtle fountain, sundial and urns date
to the Harrison era based on historic photos and Greelys
Construction Detail (figure 3-35, 4-4). Each of these is in need of
conservation work, ranging from simple cleaning as with the
birdbath, to more significant intervention such as stabilization and
repair of the fountain.
95
Figure 6-43: Vitex Obstructing Views Along Central

Axis Between West and East Ends of Boxwood
Garden, 2014.
Figure 6-44: View Along Central Axis Looking Back at H ouse,

2014.
Figure 6-47: View Through

Archway from Formal
Garden into Former Cutting
Garden, 2014.
Figure 6-48: Curved Steps into

Formal Garden at Southeast
Corner, 2014.
Figure 6-45: View Through

Archway Into Formal Garden,
2014.
Figure 6-46: View From Cutting Garden Through Archway

Into Formal Garden, 2014.
Figure 6-49: Curved Steps at Figure 6-50: Rear Terrace Stone Retaining Wall, 2014.
Southwest Corner of Formal
Garden, 2014.
96
Figure 6-51: Terrace Steps

and Walls , 2014.
Figure 6-52: Terrace Arbor Over Steps, 2014.
Figure 6-53: Mature Evergreen Plantings, Possibly from

Oglesby Paul Evergreen Walk, 2014.
The monopteros, the centerpiece of this formal garden

since at least 1920, continues to visually anchor this
garden today, despite the encroaching boxwood
(figures 6-31, 6-33, 6-34, 6-37). While its current
appearance is very similar to that in historic
photographs, the former shingled roof of the
monopteros has been replaced with a lower
maintenance metal roof of a nearly identical design
(figures 6-34, 6-60). The current metal roof is missing
the pinecone finial present on its original roof.
Figure 6-54: O bstructed View From Garden Terrace, 2014.
97
Figure 6-55: Birdbath, 2014. Figure 6-56: Sundial, 2014.
Figure 6-60: Monopteros,

2014.
Figure 6-57: Urn, 2014.
Figure 6-61: Stone Cottage, 2014.
Figure 6-58: Statue, 2014.
Figure 6-59: Boy and Turtle

Fountain, 2014.
Figure 6-62: Bowman Boxwood Hedge, 2014.
98
Additional Landscape Features

A late addition to Belvoirs formal grounds and gardens,
the stone guest cottage designed by Waddy B. Wood in
1933 still stands along the northeast corner of the
formal boxwood garden (figure 6-1). Sited just beyond
the first set of mirrored beds, the cottage has largely
unobstructed views into the garden (figure 6-61). In use
today as a full-time tenant residence, the cottage
exterior appears unaltered and is in excellent condition
(figures 3-6, 6-61).
Just beyond the outer privet hedge along the south edge
of the formal boxwood garden is the lengthy boxwood
hedge installed by the Bowmans in the 1960s (figures 61, 6-62). Running parallel to the entire length of the
privet hedge, the boxwood hedge terminates near the
pool, also installed by the Bowmans (figure 6-1, 6-62, 663).
Figure 6-63: Bowman Era Pool Area, 2014.
Personal communications from Robert Gaskins 6/2014, Belvoir gardener since 1962, and current property owner on 7/17/2014.
99
100
Harrison Era Weeping Cherry Trees as Seen From Second Story of Southeast Porch, 2014.
101
CONCLUDING REMARKS
Belvoir is a significant surviving example of Colonial Revival estate design, as practiced in Virginia during the late
19th and early 20th centuries. However, the significance of this Colonial Revival showplace extends beyond the
impressive buildings and grounds, as Belvoirs history represents a microcosm of Virginias history from the turn of
the 19th century to the present. The history of Belvoirs evolution includes the story of the people who created,
shaped, and later stewarded the property into the 21st century, each in the cultural context of their day. The house
and gardens created by Fairfax and Hetty Harrison at Belvoir were an expression of their wealth, education, values,
expertise, and collective Virginia heritage, manifested at a point in American history when the Colonial Revival
movement held many perceived answers to the problems of the day. The Harrisons Belvoir was a constant work
in progress during their tenure, impacted at various points by leading professionals of the day such as landscape
architects Oglesby Paul & Associates, and Colonial Revival architects Wyeth & Cresson and Waddy B. Wood. The
work of Hetty Harrison at Belvoir is also integrally linked to the birth of the Garden Club of Virginia, and the
development of that organization into a major force in historic landscape preservation that it is today.
Each of Belvoirs subsequent owners have left their mark on this property, contributing their own fascinating
chapter to an ongoing story. Belvoir Farm has changed little since the time of the Harrisons, and has been
continuously maintained as a working farm. The house and associated gardens and grounds of Belvoir continue to
serve as a private residence, albeit on a much more part-time basis than was the case for the Harrisons. The
Pawleys, Bowmans, and Fischers have all introduced changes to the house and formal grounds to some extent, yet
the framework of the underlying Harrison-era designs remain largely intact. In the formal grounds and gardens,
this is largely due to extant hardscape features such as walls, terraces, pathways, statuary, and other garden
structures and buildings. The more ephemeral plant material that date to the Harrisons no longer exists, yet there
are still a fair number of boxwood, evergreen, and deciduous trees that remain despite the thinning of the plantings
due to the ravages of time.
Remarkably conservative instincts on the part of the Pawleys, Bowmans, and Fischers have helped to preserve the
framework of the Harrison era landscape at Belvoir, despite access to very little historic documentation to inform

102
those efforts. However, time has taken its toll on remaining hardscape, statuary, and surviving plant material, and
the grounds and gardens are fast approaching a pivotal point in which the rate of loss of historic fabric will
accelerate as all of these materials enter their next century. It is my hope that with the findings presented in this
report, a case can be made for putting in place an active stewardship plan for the Belvoir grounds and gardens so as
to ensure the stabilization and preservation of this historic landscape for the benefit of future generations.
103
104
Belvoir H ouse as Seen From East Lawn, 2014.
105
APPENDIX
Appendix A: Detailed Accounting of Various Buildings Constructed During the

Harrisons Initial Build out at Belvoir. Located in the Fairfax Harrison Papers 1736-
1945. Special Collections, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
106
PLANT LIST
TREES
AA
AH
AC
AP
AR
AS
CB
CF
CO
CV
DV
FA
FG
GB
IC
IO
LI
LT
MX
MG
MS
PA
PC
PE
PP
PS
PU
PV
QF
QP
107
Ailanthus altissima
Aesculus hippocastanum
Acer saccharum
Acer palmatum
Acer rubrum
Acer saccharinum
Catalpa bignonioides
Cornus florida
Celtis occidentalis
Chionanthus virginicus
Diospyros virginiana
Fraxinus americana
Fagus grandiflora
Ginko biloba
Ilex cornuta
Ilex opaca
Lagerstroemia indica
Liriodendron tulipifera
Malus x
Magnolia grandiflora
Magnolia soulangiana
Picea abies
Pyrus communis
Prunus serrulata
Prunus persica
Pinus strobus
Prunus subhirtella pendula
Prunus avium
Quercus falcata
Quercus palustris
Tree of Heaven
Horsechestnut
Sugar Maple
Japanese Maple
Red Maple
Silver Maple
Southern Catalpa
Flowering Dogwood
Hackberry
White Fringe Tree
Common Persimmon
White Ash
American Beech
Ginko
Chinese Holly
American Holly
Crapemyrtle
Tulip Poplar
Ornamental Crabapple
Southern Magnolia
Saucer Magnolia
Norway Spruce
Common Pear
Ornamental Cherry
Common Peach
White Pine
Weeping Higan Cherry
Sweet Cherry
Southern Red Oak
Pin Oak
QR
QV
RP
SJ
TA
TC
TD
UA
VN
Quercus rubra
Quercus velutina
Robinia pseudoacacia
Styrax japonica
Tsuga caroliniana
Tilia cordata
Taxodium distichum
Ulmus Americana
Vitex negundo
Red Oak
Black Oak
Black Locust
Japanese Snowbell
Carolina Hemlock
Little Leaf Linden
Bald Cypress
American Elm
Chaste Tree
SHRUBS
Ag
Az
Bs
Ic
Jn
Lk
Lv
Pc
Pl
Rh
Sv
Tb
To
Wf
Abelia grandiflora
Rhododendron x
Buxus sempervirens
Ilex cornuta
Jasminum nudiflorum
Lonicera karolkowii
Ligustrum vulgare
Philadelphus coronarius
Prunus laurocerasus
Rhododendron catawbiense
Syringa vulgaris
Taxus baccata
Thuja occidentalis
Wisteria floribunda
Glossy Abelia
Azalea
Common Boxwood
Chinese Holly
Winter Jasmine
Blue Leaf Honeysuckle
Common Privet
Sweet Mock Orange
Common Cherry Laurel
Catawba Rhododendron
Common Lilac
English Yew
Arborvitae
Japanese Wisteria
BELVOIR WOODY PLANT INVENTORY
108

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Belvoir

A Colonial Revival Landmark in the Piedmont

Copyright 2014 by The Garden Club of Virginia.

Hetty Harrison Standing in the Formal

The secret of landscapes isnt creationIts maintenance.

Setting and Historical Context.

The Harrison Era: Swampoodle to Belvoir.

The Pawley Era: Belvoir as Country Retreat..

The Bowman Era: Belvoir as Horse Center

Belvoir in the 21st Century: Description of the Current Landscape

Belvoir House From the Formal Boxwood Garden, 2014.

1907 Belvoir Barn as Seen From Former Kitchen Garden, 2014.

Belvoir Farm is a privately held, 896-acre working farm located

in Fauquier County in the upper Piedmont cultural region of

Belvoir Farm was largely created by Fairfax and Hetty Harrison

Figure 1- 1: Map of Fauquier County, VA 1914. Belvoir House,

The Harrisons named their farm after Belvoir on the Potomac,

the home of Fairfaxs ancestor, William Fairfax.7 They began

Figure 1- 3: Expanded Belvoir House. (Undated Photo, Mary

With the purchase of Fair Fountains in June of 1906 complete,

While a 1906 plat of Belvoir Farm

(figure 1-5) indicates that a large

Fairfax appears to have intended from the outset that

Belvoir Farm would be a productive and profitable farm.

After Fairfax died in February of 1938, Hetty remained in

Eisenhower.19,20 During their tenure, the Pawleys

The Bowmans maintained the property as a

working farm during their ownership, while

Figure 1- 6 A): Above Photograph of Formal Boxwood Garden in Early Stages of

Since 1976, Belvoir Farm has remained largely focused on

Figure 1-7: Above Undated Aerial Photo of Belvoir and Formal

agricultural pursuits as an active farm of 896 acres. While the

Over the years, Belvoir has been home to prominent business

men and political figures, photographed by Frances Benjamin

PLAN OF BELVOIR FORMAL GROUNDS

FORMAL BOXWOOD GARDEN IMAGES

FORMAL BOXWOOD GARDEN PLAN

SETTING AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Through the first half of

Belvoir Farm was built on land that was once

part of a grant to Reverend Alexander Scott

THE HARRISON ERA: 1906-1944

Figure 3- 1: Fairfax Harrison. (Undated

Dear Mr. Payne,

Despite Fairfaxs reservations that the planned house was too

small, the architects must have prevailed and their plan

The Harrisons may have been attracted to the location of

Figure 3- 4: Belvoir Station in the Summer of 1922. (Mary Moore

Fair Fountains for any number of reasons, such as the

The buildings and landscapes of Belvoir Farm appear to have

been a work in progress for much of the Harrison tenure. By

Figure 3- 5: Expanded House at Belvoir, with New Symmetrical

earlier wooden building within

existed. However, a living descendant of the Harrisons

The majority of the historic Harrison photos focus on

the large formal boxwood garden located immediately

Figure 3- 7: Undated Photograph of the Formal Boxwood Garden Behind

Arthur F. Paul (1879-1952) began practicing

professionally when he joined the office of Philadelphia

Oglesbys death, associates Arthur F. Paul and Stephen Ford

At the time the Harrisons began transforming the gardens and

grounds of Belvoir in 1911, the field of professional landscape

it is impossible to know the full extent or duration to which the firm

Prior to 1911, Hetty is something of an enigmatic historical figure, as