Long Green, the historic homestead of the Headley family just northwest of Winchester, has experienced many transformations in its 250-plus year history, but perhaps none quite like the massive facelift occurring at the property this summer. This venerable stone-and-brick home is being readied for a public unveiling in September as the focus of the Winchester Showhouse & Gardens 2013, a unique designer showhouse project benefitting this area's Blue Ridge Hospice and The Little Garden Club of Winchester. Tickets are available at The Fun Shop in Middleburg.

The former owner of Long Green, Glynnell Headley, was well known and liked in the community. She enjoyed her many friends and relished entertaining at Long Green. Most of all Glynnell was passionate about her home, where she and her husband, Boyd, raised their family after purchasing Long Green in the 1950s. To honor her memory and to give back to Blue Ridge Hospice, which cared for her, the Headley family enthusiastically agreed to host a designer showhouse from September 7 – 29 at Long Green. The event will provide opportunity for the creative talents of area interior designers, such as Nancy West of Noble West Design of Middleburg, and professional landscapers to transform the property.

"We are thrilled that the Headley family has made Long Green available for our benefit event," said event co-chairs, Mary Ann Kaplan and Colleen Zoller. Kaplan, a Board Member of Blue Ridge Hospice and member of The Little Garden Club of Winchester, co-chaired a similar project in Harrisburg, PA.

Professional landscapers and17 talented interior designers are transforming Long Green's exterior and interior with fresh paint, wall coverings, lighting fixtures, and furniture, which will also be for sale during the Showhouse event. At the same time, professional landscapers are studying the grounds with its natural rock formations and unusual plantings to create beautiful spaces.

"There has been a great response to our call for designers. The interest in transforming Long Green's rooms into spaces reflecting their own creativity and talents is high due to the unique nature of this home," said Zoller. She added that designers submitted project boards for the rooms of their choosing to the Showhouse's design committee while landscapers provided ideas to transform the grounds in keeping with existing features such as plantings and rock formations. Interest in the project came from designers across Northern Virginia and in the Shenandoah Valley. The designers are now working at Long Green, painting, papering, and adding furniture and accessories to create a new look within its historic walls. Their skilled touches will serve to enhance the original flooring, windows, fireplaces, and doorways, none of which will undergo any substantial changes.

The talented work of local artists, unique gifts and accessories, and plants will be for sale at the Showhouse boutique and a café will serve refreshments. In keeping with the Showhouse Committee's goal to raise as much as possible to benefit the not-for-profit Blue Ridge Hospice and the area beautification projects of The Little Garden Club of Winchester, a series of events during September will be open to the public.

Visiting the Showhouse

The Winchester Showhouse & Gardens 2013 opens September 7 and runs daily through September 29 at historic Long Green just northwest of Winchester on Route 522. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday to Saturday (until 8 p.m. on Thursday), and noon-5 p.m. on Sunday. Volunteer docents will provide tours of the house, and boutique shopping for unique and specialty items, including original artwork, will be available. A café will be open during tour hours. Sponsorship opportunities include numerous benefits for area businesses and individuals. Tickets are $18 per person in advance (available at The Fun Shop in Middleburg) and $20 beginning September 1. Group tours are available with tickets at $15 per person. Tickets may also be purchased at Long Green during the event. Complete details on the Showhouse event and its designers are available by visiting www.winchester-showhouse.com or calling 540-313-9268.