Eyre Hall – Antiques, Gardens and a Letter from Lafayette

One of the most interesting stops on Virginia’s Historic Garden Week (HGW) Tours is Eyre Hall on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. This centuries-old plantation has been one of the enchanting properties included on the Eastern Shore HGW Tour every year since 1941 and soon you’ll see why. The good news is that you can visit their gardens any time of year.

The same family has owned this 1760 plantation home with its lush gardens and waterside views for 12 generations. If you’re interested in seeing the historic interiors of Eyre Hall, the only chance you’ll have is during Virginia Historic Garden Week. The 2025 Eastern Shore Home Tours will be held on Saturday, May 3rd. You can buy tickets online here. These tours are held annually in late April or early May.

The property is a National Historic Landmark. It has been continuously occupied by generations of the same family since before the Revolutionary War. The home isn’t normally open to the public, so short of making friends with the owner, Historic Garden Week is generally the only opportunity you’ll have to tour the inside of this historical beauty.

A Plantation with Southern Charm

Our party of four began the tour by driving the mile-long dirt road, lined with ancient cedars and crepe myrtles, then parked in the grassy area designated for the Historic Garden Tour visitors. We couldn’t have imagined the treasures we’d find inside the home as we approached the front porch with its traditional Southern “haint” blue ceiling. The intentional commitment to preserving the history of this family and the culture of the region was impressive.

Eyre Hall is a living museum of stately architecture, antique furnishings, original paintings, and handcrafted decor, yet comfortably inhabited by its longtime owners since before the USA was born. Along the tour, we learned about items like the intricately painted wallpaper made by the French firm of Dufour around 1816 and called Les Rives du Bosphore (The Banks of the Bosphorus). In the library, we were excited to see an original 1826 letter from the Marquis de Lafayette to Robert B. Taylor (a member of the family) which mentions the passing of Thomas Jefferson and a previous visit to Norfolk, Virginia.

Sidenote: I can’t hear the name “Lafayette” without thinking of the now-famous song in the Grammy-winning musical, Hamilton. This was an unexpected connection and the chorus of the song ran through my mind the rest of the day…Hmmm…There it goes again.

Antiques and Living History

Now back to the tour…Eyre Hall has been lovingly preserved and the front room and stairway haven’t changed much since this photo from 1930. The card table to the right was crafted in Williamsburg, Virginia. It was purchased not long after the house was built and still finds a prominent place in the hall.

Upstairs I was astounded that a canopy bed built before the Revolutionary War was still being used by the current homeowner. The frame was modified to hold a modern mattress, but otherwise, it was the same as it had been 300 years ago.

As we passed through the various spaces I couldn’t help but envision the scores of people from all walks of life that have breathed life into this place – the original builders, craftsmen, and enslaved people who contributed the physical labor to bring the vision to reality down through the centuries. The business people, military, politicians, and dignitaries that held court here. And the families and friends, young and old, that graced the home with laughter, tears, authenticity, and imagination. There was even a violinist and friend who lived with the family. He took care of the many musical instruments that they owned, so we know the home was also filled with music.

Learn More About the Home

As a private residence, you won’t be permitted to take pictures inside. If you’re interested in more details about the home check out this wonderful article from “The Magazine Antiques”. But while there are many treasures inside, please don’t assume that the home is all there is to see. A magnificent garden beckons when you walk outside the door.

Laurie Klingel of Appleseed Porch and Garden is the Head Gardener at Eyre Hall. She and her team have masterfully crafted these gardens into spaces that even Monet would admire. The ruins of an orangery and a small family cemetery are also on the grounds.

Visit the Gardens Anytime

As expected, you’ll have some limits to access inside the home. But the current owner of the property, H. Furlong Baldwin, has graciously granted permission for the public to meander through these tranquil gardens anytime during daylight hours without an appointment. There’s even a path through the trees lined with daffodils that opens up to a beautiful vista of Cherrystone Creek. Be respectful of the family’s privacy and appreciative of their generosity when you choose to go.

I hope you have a chance to visit this magical place steeped in history and charm. If you can’t get to the tour in April at least enjoy a picnic in the garden.

Eyre Hall is Open Only Once a Year

Don’t forget to mark your calendar for late April or early May. Visit the Historic Garden Week of Virginia‘s website beginning in December to see the exact dates and tours available. You can usually buy tickets for the House and Garden Tours soon after that each year. The next date to see Eyre Hall and other gorgeous homes and gardens on the Eastern Shore Tour is Saturday, May 3rd, 2025.

Their tour is usually the last Saturday of Historic Garden Week but check the schedule here for dates of tours in other regions of Virginia. Did you know that there are over 30 tours of nearly 200 properties conducted in the last week of April or first week of May each year? Every region in the state is represented. Properties from the Shenandoah Valley in the northwest to Martinsville in the southwest. Beyond the Chesapeake Bay on the Eastern Shore Peninsula to Old Town Alexandria in the northeast, plus many more.

I’ve toured homes on the Eastern Shore, Isle of Wight, and James River Plantations. I also visited Fredericksburg, Colonial Beach, Old Town Alexandria, Charlottesville, Norfolk, and more. I’m sad that I’m not living in Virginia anymore, but I still hope to get back for the tours in the coming years. Have you enjoyed a Historic Garden Week Tour recently? If so, what was your favorite destination and property? I’d love to get your recommendations for next time.

Want to hear more about these exclusive tours and other travels with purpose? Check out my 4-part series of posts with all the details about how the tours work.

All You Need to Know About Virginia Historic Garden Week

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I’ll look forward to hearing how you liked your tours! Please let me know if you have any questions at all. I consider myself somewhat of an expert.