Whether you've visited The Palm House in England's Kew Gardens or the Jardin d'Hiver in Paris, you won't want to miss a visit to Virginia's oldest greenhouse, the mansion and the gardens at Oatlands Plantation in Leesburg.

The stately mansion, beautiful rolling farmland, exquisite gardens and more than 200 years of American history and culture are amply on display when you visit the plantation George Carter built in the early 19th century and Mr. and Mrs. William Corcoran Eustis renovated, restored and expanded beginning in 1903.

Plato considered the importance of protected plant cultivation in approximately 300 BC, and in 92 AD in Italy, Sergius Orata invented a heating system that allowed gas to flow through flues in the floor, but it was not until 1810 that George Carter, at Oatlands Plantation in Leesburg, built the oldest greenhouse in Virginia.

Nestled in a leafy bank, the original greenhouse that was built in 1810 by George Carter, recently celebrated its 212th birthday with a lively party for children and friends.

Historians believe that when the ailing Roman Emperor Tiberius Caesar was ill in approximately 30 AD, doctors warned that to recover he must eat a cucumber every day. To accommodate this request, his gardeners constructed what they called a specularium, a house dedicated to growing plants. By maintaining constant fires outside the stone walls they kept the plants inside warm, comfortable and producing plentifully.

Today, Oatlands, a National Trust Historic Site and National Historic Landmark, flourishes with four full seasons of activities.

At historic Oatlands, the greenhouse birthday party is only one of many fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable programs and events for visitors this summer. The beautiful mansion, garden and grounds offer visitors a remarkable glimpse into the nation's past. You will thoroughly enjoy the magnificent 1804 mansion, terraced formal garden and beautifully preserved rural views.

In June, July and August, there are Summer Camps to meet every parent and child's expectations. If you wish to focus on photography, sculpture or paper crafts, there are weekly sessions for rising 4th–6th graders. There is a new Nature Adventure Camp that focuses on field, stream, forest and garden in July and a new Time Travelers Camp where you'll explore history in the "way back" machine in July and August.

Drama Camps with Stagecoach Theatre Company take place in August and July is Fine Arts Month at Oatlands.

Don't miss Nature Night Hikes and Campfires in early August or the annual gathering of the butterflies August 9th when the Butterfly Parade, a charming spectacle not to be missed, takes place at 11:30 a.m. that day. Afternoon Teas are scheduled for July 13th and 27th and August 10th and 14th and there are Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Girl Scout programs throughout the summer.

To conclude the summer festivities, do not miss Oatlands' Fabulous '40s evening August 30th. Tickets are $95 and include an evening of music, dancing, two drink tickets and delicious heavy hors d'oeuvres. "Many of our 'Fabulous '40s' guests dress in 1940s style, but that is in no way a requirement," explained Andrea McGimsey, executive director. "Last year the dance floor was busy until the very last minute. Everyone had a fantastic time."

Oatlands is open to the public Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $8 for children ages 6 to 16 and children under 5 years of age tour free. Oatlands is located on Route 15, six miles south of Leesburg, Virginia, just 45 minutes from Washington, D.C.

Among the many ways to support Oatlands are the Cornerstone Society, the Boxwood Society, the Foundation Society, the Medallion Society, the Heritage Society, the Carter-Eustis Society and the Corinthian Capital Society. Please contact Oatlands for more specific information about gifts and benefits.

For precise event and program times and for '40s gala reservations, please email education@oatlands.org, visit www.oatlands.org or telephone 703-777-3174.