The docents in the homes have always been friendly and knowledgeable, and this year did not disappoint. Duputron House, a home built in the 1890s, even had docents from the Victorian Society at Falls Church dressed in period costume, adding extra flair to the experience. And at the Henderson Home, actors portrayed E.B. and Mary Ellen Henderson, giving visitors an instant history lesson. From a home built in the nineteenth century to two green homes built in the twenty-first century, in each house we found architectural and decorating details that we thought were brilliant. The garden flowers glowed softly in the rain with plants ranging from native beauties to exotic lovelies.

Green house on Virginia Avenue owned by the Koch family. (Photo: Lisa Lacroix)

Among the people visiting homes, those showing perhaps the most dedication to the Earth Day spirit were Sarah Flanagan, Gina Caceci and Amy Titus, whose dripping but cheerful raincoats rivaled the brightest flowers.  Some years the weather has been better, but this year they were not daunted by Sunday’s rain and maintained their tradition of walking from house to house leaving their cars at home.