John and I went to Agecroft Hall this afternoon for a (free) concert by the Richmond Concert Band, an amateur musical group that performs throughout the city. Agecroft has a remarkable history. This is how the website describes it:
For hundreds of years, Agecroft Hall was the distinguished home of England's Langley and Dauntesey families. At the end of the 19th century, however, Agecroft fell into disrepair, and in 1925 it was sold at auction.
Hearing of this tremendous opportunity, Richmonder Thomas C. Williams, Jr. purchased the structure, and had it dismantled, crated, and shipped across the Atlantic, and then painstakingly reassembled in a Richmond neighborhood known as Windsor Farms.
In the 1920’s Mr. Williams had initiated the development of the bulk of his 500 acre estate into a community designed to resemble an English village. Agecroft Hall was the centerpiece of his design.
Wow- that was an expensive undertaking when he probably could have had it copied! The grounds do look lovely and it was probably a nice day for an outdoor concert in Richmond. If you'd had it up here, you'd be bringing along some hot chocolate and a big blanket!
@olivetreeann In those days Americans sought validation by owning parts of the Old World. Many wealthy Americans sought titled men to marry their daughters. Another property, Virginia House was also transported to Richmond in the same way.
Lovely shot of the beautiful house! Such a shame that some pieces of heritage have to travel half way around the world to have their worth recognised! At least lots of people can share its beauty at the concerts :)
interesting history and what a lovely way to spend a day. I love places like this and the concert was a bonus. Nice composition of this pretty restored village.
allison, i've just looked at your '365' album ...do you realise the next shot you post will be your 1000th in album 365, so that means you've done 1000 days worth of images...Allison you are true 365'er....a credit to this community. I hope the concert was as good as your pic :)
What a nice place to spend an afternoon. I suppose Mr. Williams thought of himself as the benign lord of the manor and invited his villagers to yearly fetes on the estate grounds.
