Rothesay, the estate of Anne and George Wayne Anderson, has a history of hosting notable musical performances. Now it will help to fund them as the Richmond Symphony Orchestra League's 2010 Designer House.
Located at 1234 Rothesay Circle, west of Byrd Park, the English Tudor home, designed by Duncan Lee, and its 8-acre grounds, designed by Charles Gillette, will be transformed by interior and landscape designers and then opened to the public for ticketed tours next year from Sept. 13 to Oct. 11.
Newspaper publisher John Stewart Bryan had the home built in 1913 and sold it to George Anderson's father, Edward Clifford Anderson, in 1934. George's mother, Isabelle Scott Anderson, was instrumental in the formation of the Richmond Symphony, and Rothesay's grounds were often host to musical performances, including one by Ella Fitzgerald.
"This is the most time that we've ever had to prepare for a Designer House," says Maresa Spangler, publicity chair. "And because of this luxury of time and scope of the grounds, the landscape designers have already started their work."
Another new twist is the estate's availability for corporate functions and private parties, since the home will close to the public at 3 p.m. "It will be a fabulous venue, and all these special events can include a tour of the home," Spangler says.
Co-chairing the house this year is Linda Dunn and Joan Carlton. They are working with 35 committee chairs and hundreds of volunteers on what is the league's largest fundraiser for the Richmond Symphony and its many educational programs.
A bare-bones tour of the house is scheduled for Aug. 10, 2010, and a preview gala will be held on Sept. 10 of that same year. For more information, call 878-4824.
