In 1929, a group of energetic volunteers penned notes to friends from far and near, inviting them to attend a "pilgrimage" tour of fine old Virginia manor houses and gardens to benefit an important historic restoration project.

The 11-day event was a tremendous success, netting the then-amazing sum of $14,000 and attracting curious admirers from Virginia and the East Coast.

Thus, these early leaders of The Garden Club of Virginia launched what was to become the oldest and largest statewide program of its kind in the nation: Historic Garden Week in Virginia, also known as "America's Largest Open House." During the past seven decades, ticket sales have exceeded $13 million.

Despite downturns and upturns in the economy, Garden Club volunteers faithfully organized Garden Week tours every year since 1929, except for a period during World War II when they tended their Victory Gardens.

Over the decades, GCV membership has increased to approximately 3,300 statewide. All members are expected to help produce Garden Week tours in their localities. Every year, more than 40 garden clubs from the Eastern Shore to the Allegheny Mountains organize tours of private houses and gardens.

Historic Garden Week has taken its place among Virginia's premier tourism events, attracting eager visitors from California to Canada, Europe and Australia. Many plan trips to the United States specifically to soak in Virginia's splendid springtime beauty during Garden Week.

Some bring notebooks and jot down ideas for their own homes on the creative concepts in garden design, architecture, interior décor and expert renovation showcased during Garden Week.

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Proceeds from the first tour were used to restore the grounds of Kenmore in Fredericksburg, home of George Washington's sister, Betty Lewis, and her husband, Fielding. Since then, Garden Week funding has gone to enhance the gardens and grounds of homes that belonged to Virginia's historic leaders.

Restored properties include those once owned by George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Woodrow Wilson, Robert E. Lee, Patrick Henry and George Mason, as well as the grounds of historic churches, colleges and public buildings.

Most of these historic properties had fallen into serious decline by the first half of the 20th century, when The Garden Club of Virginia began its restoration programs. All GCV restoration sites are open to the public, delighting casual travelers and serving as educational sites for garden design students, horticulturists and historians.

Local restoration projects accomplished by The Garden Club of Virginia with funding from Historic Garden Week tours include those at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Maymont, Virginia's Executive Mansion, Wilton, St. John's Church Mews, the Kent-Valentine House, Centre Hill in Petersburg and Patrick Henry's Scotchtown in Hanover County.

A complete list of more than 40 restoration projects is available on www.GCVirginia.org and in the Historic Garden Week guidebook.

Tricia Sauer of Richmond serves as state chairman of Historic Garden Week. Names of chairmen are listed at the start of each tour description on the schedule page of www.VAGardenweek.org and in the Garden Week guidebook.

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As Travel and Leisure magazine noted: "Once revered as the Mother of Presidents, Virginia is more accurately known as the Mother of House tours. Late April is the time for Garden Week, when the finest private estates open their doors."

Winner of the national Phoenix Award from the American Society of Travel Writers, Historic Garden Week tours are featured in leading national and international magazines and newspapers and on numerous Internet tourism sites. Approximately 30,000 visitors are expected for this year's tours.

Houses open this year span four centuries of Virginia architecture and history, and include an 18th-century plantation home once owned by John Lennon and Yoko Ono (Gloucester-Mathews tour, April 26) as well as freshly minted suburban residences completed in the early 21st century.

Garden designs are likewise varied from walled city retreats in Old Town Alexandria (April 19) to sweeping pastoral landscapes in Albemarle County (April 20 and 21). Richmond's April 24 tour highlights Windsor Farms' gardens created by renowned landscape designer Charles F. Gillette.

Historic Garden Week would not be possible without support from the approximately 200 owners of some of Virginia's most beautiful private homes and gardens who graciously open their doors and garden gates to the public.

Since 1929, thousands of our state's most prominent and public-spirited citizens have joined this preservation effort, helping make the tours a success.

When you see them, please thank our generous homeowners for helping to create exciting and beautiful visits for all to enjoy during Historic Garden Week's banner 75th season.