The Washington DC Guest Program includes a continental breakfast offered Monday - Wednesday and the General Membership Reception on Monday evening for a $25 registration fee. Guests may register by using the registration form in this Program. A continental breakfast will be available to registered guests from 8:30-9:30am, Monday - Wednesday. Guests must wear their name badges for admittance to the breakfasts.
TOURS
Virginia Hunt Country
Monday, May 6 ($45)
We will travel west of Washington, DC through the plush landscape of Virginia's rolling hills and hunt country. This all-day event begins with a tour of Oatlands Plantation and Gardens, a grandly preserved ante-bellum residence, built in 1803. The home is filled with antiques and furnishings, family photos and other memorabilia of its last owners, the William Corcoran Eustises. The family portrayed the traditional English-style of a country home of the 1920s and 1930s, when guests were entertained in style and grace and strolled the four-acre walled, multi-terraced gardens. There will be a tour of the house and time to explore the gardens, and also visit the exquisite gift shop on the grounds. Then we are off to the historic town of Middleburg, the "unofficial" capital of the "Hunt Country," for an elegant luncheon at the Red Fox Inn. We will also have time to visit the numerous unique shops filled with horse memorabilia or antiques, or take a leisurely stroll through this lovely hunt country village. Finally, we'll arrive for a personal tour at Meredyth Vineyards, one of Virginia's oldest and largest wineries for a wine tasting and some history about the success of Virginia's vineyards.
The bus will leave the Washington Hilton & Towers at 9:30am and will return by approximately 4:30pm. This tour is limited to 40 participants; please use the pre-registration form in this Program.
Hillwood Museum & Gardens
Tuesday, May 7 ($37)
To visit Hillwood is to step into an opulent life style that is quickly disappearing. Hillwood was once the residence of cereal heiress, Marjorie Merriweather Post (1887-1973). A collector and philanthropist, Mrs. Post amassed an 18th and 19th century treasury of rare Russian pieces by foremost artists, cabinet makers, and goldsmiths of such historical significance that the collection has been deemed the most representative outside of Russia. The unique mansion contains areas such as the "Porcelain Room," with services commissioned by Catherine the Great, and the "Icon Room," with gold and silver chalices, and Easter eggs by Carl Faberge.
The 25-acre Hillwood Gardens were designed by Mrs. Post with the aid of Perry Wheeler, who helped establish the White House Rose Gardens. From the mansion's drawing room, visitors can step into the formal French parterre, and beyond into the Rose Gardens. Friendship Walk links the garden with the Japanese Garden, which represents a landscape in miniature.
Our tour will include a luncheon or afternoon tea at the Museum's cafe. In addition, the Museum Shop offers a wide variety of books on Russian art and other items related to the collection for sale. The Greenhouse offers plants for sale. Hillwood is open to tours only and by appointment, so come join us.
The bus will leave the Washington Hilton & Towers at 10:00am and will return by approximately 3:30pm. This tour is limited to 40 participants; please use the pre-registration form in this Program.
Space is limited for both of these events so please register early.