Sponsor: The Rappahannock Valley Garden Club

Tickets: $25; single-site, $10; ages 6-12, half-price

Info: (540) 899-0017; www.VAGardenweek.org

With its location midway between Richmond and Washington, Fredericksburg grew quickly as a trading center in the early days of the colony. Four major battles of the Civil War were fought around Fredericksburg and historic sites detail the battles. Fox hunting was introduced in Virginia around 1748. There are still hunt clubs that ride out with the hounds such as the one you'll see at Chase's End.

Tour highlights:

Dendrochronology established the construction date of The Bowling Green Farm, 200 South Main St., Bowling Green (Mr. Steven Nicklin, owner), at 1741, with the rear two-story section added in 1791.

This is one of the oldest houses in the Commonwealth in original condition plasterwork, glass and window sashes, flooring and colonial basement all remain.

Massive English boxwoods on either side of the house are estimated to be more than 265 years old.

Three buildings on the property will be open for tour at Chase's End, 17237 Antioch Road, Milford (Mr. and Mrs. Robert N. Ferrer, owners). The stables complex includes 2,000square-feet used to host hunt breakfasts and other hunt functions.

Nearby kennels house approximately 40 foxhounds. American and English sporting art adorns rooms inside the house, including the room named for British sporting artist Sir Alfred Munnings.

The existing Gothic Revival structure at Newmarket Plantation, 17352 Newmarket Lane, Milford (Mr. Robert Caruthers and Dr. Ada Caruthers, owners), was built in 1850.

At one time, the plantation was one of the foremost breeding and racing centers in the state and the original horse barn had 100 stalls. The current owners purchased the estate in 1999 and undertook an 18-month restoration.

Built in 1827, Mulberry Place, 18204 Sparta Road, Milford (Dr. and Mrs. Michael Trahos, owners), is a Federal-style house of Flemish bond brick with dog's tooth dentil trim on its historic exterior.

The current owners purchased the property of 447 acres in 1988 and took on the renovation process. Antique Civil War campaign maps are displayed in the foyer, along with other Civil War memorabilia.

Hampton Manor, 18243 Sparta Road, Milford (Mr. and Mrs. M. Raymond Piland III, owners), was completed in 1852 in the Greek Revival style with Ionic columns across the front.

The grand plantation was a refuge for displaced families during the Civil War and later became a refuge for some displaced artists during World War II. The owners have furnished the house with antique rugs, furnishings and tapestries.

*Watch members of the hunt ride out with their hounds from Chase's End. Tally ho!