Show By Samuel Cliamberlain thotxrmph by If erner V otjf This noted author photographer and authority on homes here and abroad selects “Carter’s Grove” overlooking the James IUver in Virginia 250-year-- old QUESTION : Mrs Howard Stem of Milwaukee Wis molt us: “ I'm interested in America's most beautiful house Can someone tell me where it is?” Wt knew just the mom to answer Mrs Stein’s piestion — Samuel Chamberlain ( pictured abort) ' ANSWER t How fortunate it is to be Unlike most houses the wings of Carter’s Grove were completed well before the house itself These outlying elementfexisted before 1700 When Carter Bur well grandson of Virginia’s lordly “King” Carter undertook to unite them with a central mansion he spared no expense An English architect David Minitree was imported to supervise the work Skilled woodcarvers worked with lumber cut down on the plantation — pine walnut and poplar Some of the finest pine paneling in existence is found in the interior The main hall rejoices in a great elliptical arch and the carved stairway is a thing of startling beauty? This is a massive structure and the paneling the moldings cornices and window panes all reflect a fine balance between strength and delicacy When the work was finished Carter Burwell gave Minitrce an added bonus of £25 no small tip in those days Today it stands as serene as ever beautifully restored and furnished with period pieces Its present owner is Mrs Archibald M McCrea Unfortunately “Carter’s Grove" is not open to the public con- fronted with this question which inspires an unhesitating reply and not one which causes perplexed chin scratching! The answer seems immediate and inescapable: “Carter’s Grove” injames City County Va Substitute the word “church” far “house” and you would plunge me into a torment of indecision Asked to designate the most beautiful street in America I would be hopelessly torn between New England and Virginia Claiming recognition on one side would be Chestnut Street in Salem Mass lined with the stately homes of dipper-shi- p captains and Nantucket's Main Street still clinging to its cobblestones and the architectural dignity which came down from the great days of whaling Can neither of these be cited in preference to Williamsburg’s memorable g Duke of Gloucester Street? But this is a thoroughly agreeable question like one which was recently proposed to a group of French epicures: “If you could order only one more fine dinner in your life which Paris restaurant would you choose?” To a man they agreed on "L’Escargot" If some reckless friend were to offer me a choice of all the etchings in the world the response would be just as ready — and extravagant: a fine impression of Rembrandt’s Hundred Guilder Print “Christ Healing The Sick” elm-vault- ed HALLWAY: Completely paneled in pine with a carved staircase this and rest of main house are the work of English architect David Minitree Aa Cutwicsl Treve mile-lon- Historians find that Carter’s Grove is a happy hunting ground for almost all of the prominent men of Virginia found their way across its threshold on varied missions some on the swashbuckling side some purely romantic 1 hrn Colonel Tirlflun of the Rritiwh Light llonie Cavalry occupied the houae in 171(1 a trooper rode"up the main atair- - — way with hia horse and hacked the atair rail with hia saber The scars still remain There are less strident legends connected with the house though somewhat disheartening for two of our greatest Americans Before the carved mantel in the drawing room GeorgeWashington is said to have proposed to Mary Cary Later in the same room Thomas Jefferson asked the hand of his “fair Belinda” a niece of Carter Burwell Both were refused Thus a further proud if somewhat melancholy distinction falls upon this noble house Jay U Architects Why does “Carter’s Grove" arouse similar enthusiasm? Partly because of the subtle facade the rose-re- d color lines of its 200-foof its ancient bricks the richness of its carved would admire detail A sensitive its setting on a gentle ridge above the James River surrounded by boxwood gardens and a screen of venerable cedars locusts and tulip poplars This Georgian colonial mansion built in the early 18th century is a joy to architects and to historians as well If AIM ot water-colori- st - EP3TA123 STUDY: Furnishings throughout "Carter's Grove" reflect the Colonial beauty of the house Pictured here is present owner Mrs McCrea t NEXT WEEKi Which arc the Bible' i greatest word? Six prominent leaden of various fail ha make their choicea “EEFESAL EOOLT: Smell drawing room was scene George Washington is also said to have had a of Jefferson's turndown proposal rejected here 9 |