The 250 people who attended the first Secret Garden Party in Historic Court End enjoyed it so much, “they lost track of time — so we’re making it a half-hour longer [next year],” says Katherine Fahed, spokesperson for the Historic Richmond Foundation.

On May 13, the Court End neighborhood threw open its gates and staged a progressive cocktail party in the gardens of the Museum and White House of the Confederacy, the John Marshall House, Monumental Church, the Valentine Richmond History Center and the Massey Cancer Center Healing Garden. Each garden featured different food and drinks, from vodka gimlets to John Marshall’s favorite, Madeira. Music included Justin Smith’s Jazz Band Trio, Campbell’s Ramblers and guitarist Leah Kruszewski, among others.

“It was the week after Mother’s Day, so a lot of daughters bought tickets,” says Fahed. “A lot of them [said] they’re going to bring their husbands next year.”