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Gari Melchers Home and Studio

Gari Melchers Home and Studio

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Restored Period Planters Return to Belmont Garden

June 19, 2015 by Beate Jensen Leave a Comment

Dillon in driveThe restoration of the gardens at Belmont is an ongoing adventure and the latest undertaking focused on restoration of five planters that belonged to Gari and Corinne Melchers. Dave Ludeker, Belmont’s Maintenance Manager, restored and painted the wooden plant boxes to match the historic paint scheme. The planters were originally custom built for Mrs. Melchers garden, and she used them for her much beloved geraniums, as seen in this 1920’s picture.

Porches were important living spaces before air-conditioning was installed in homes, and they served as outdoor “rooms” where one could catch a breeze to escape the stifling Virginia heat. These outdoor places were furnished with comfortable chairs, benches or swings and ornamented with flowers, blurring the line between indoor and outdoor living spaces. It was common to take indoor plants outside for the summer which further enhanced the feeling of being in a living room.

East Porch
Main entrance porch
Main entrance porch

Several photographs show the planters on the main porch, and these have been planted with geraniums once again; the others are filled with annuals, herbs and interesting specimens such as the Crested Euphorbia. Be sure to come sit and enjoy the breeze and the flowers next time you visit Belmont.

Category iconBelmont Estate,  Corinne Melchers,  Gari and Corinne Melchers Tag iconBelmont,  gardnening,  Gari and Corinne Melchers,  planters,  restoration

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Gari Melchers Home and Studio
224 Washington Street
Falmouth, VA 22405
540-654-1015
garimelchers@umw.edu

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