PLANNED VISIT
The street address is 4305 Sulgrave Road, Richmond, and the house there looks very English and Elizabethian. It overlooks the James River and the sturdy stucco, whole- tree beams and brick construction appears to have always been there. A dignified, small sign tells me I have arrived at “Agecroft Hall.”
In truth the house was build five hundred years ago. In 1925, the state of families of Langley and Dauntesey having fallen on bad times, the place was sold at auction. The estate had fallen into some disrepair and the buyer, T. C. Williams Jr. of Richmond,Virginia, had it carefully dismantled, crated in many sections to be reassembled here within sight of the James River just as it had been in relation to Lancashire's Irwell River in England. An authentic 15the Century English manor home, transplanted to a new location in the Old Dominion.
This is one of the many places I still want to visit.. One can choose to be selective because different programs are conducted throughout the year. Right now during October Chris Novzelli, architectural historian and tour guide, will be doing a lecture tour of “Agecroft” and the surrounding area of “Windsor Farms” . Walking shoes are recommended.
Starting around Thanksgiving Day and continuing through Christmas Agecroft features the “Bellycheer Tour” detailing the entertainment customs and etiquette of the 16th and 17th centuries. Is it proper for you to sit above or below the salt at dinner? Do you usually drink beer or cider with breakfast? Do you usually eat your goblet after drinking your wine? That's the sort of problem which can be solved annually at “Agecroft” during the fall holiday season. Then, there's the special Christmas Revel itself.
“Agecroft”: is a place you can visit often because of them special events going on throughout the year. They are constantly reminding visitors of the sterling features of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I from 1533 to 1603 when such notables as Sir Francis Drake and William Shakepeare strutted their hours on life's stage
I must make a special effort to get to Richmond and “Agecroft Hall”. It has been on my “do-it-someday”list. It has been on my tentative schedule time-after-time. Maybe we can shake loose and get over there some afternoon when the Richmond Concert Band is doing a concert, perhaps. Pictures of it reminds me so much of houses and public buildings I have seen in England and, oddly enough, at the same time, of the old Hotel Roanoke here in Virginia years ago when it was in its prime- less prim and properly painted.
“Agecroft Hall” reminds us how much we are a blend of much of the culture of Elizabethian times.
A. L. M. October 7, 2004 [c460wds]
