Virginia Woolf
A Botanical Perspective Presented by the Botanic Garden of Smith College |
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Charleston
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In 1916 Virginia suggested that her sister Vanessa Bell rent nearby Charleston farmhouse to house Vanessa's growing circle of family and friends. In a letter to Vanessa, Virginia wrote:
"It has a charming garden, with a pond, and fruit trees, and vegetables all now rather run wild, but you could make it lovely. . ." Over the next 60 years Vanessa Bell, together with painter Duncan Grant, made Charleston into a rural retreat for writers and artists. Regulars included Vanessa's husband, Clive Bell, Maynard Keynes, and Roger Fry. Charleston became Bloomsbury in the country. |
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Outside garden room. Photograph courtesy of the Charleston Trust |
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Charleston. Photograph Cyd Cross |
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Charleston. Photograph by Karen Kukil. |
Overview of the garden. Photograph by Karen Kukil. |
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