Many people are often surprised to learn that I live in Texas. As many of you know, as a military family, we moved here almost 10 years ago. Since that time we have learned that Texas is indeed a very big place, full of wonder and beauty. I thought you might enjoy seeing a small part of Texas that is truly lovely. May Chandor Gardens delight and surprise you.
Douglas Granville Chandor
As always, I love to begin with a bit of history.
The man behind Chandor Gardens is Douglas Granville Chandor. He was a British-born American painter who began taking on important commissions at a very young age. He quickly became a well-known portrait artist. His subjects were some of the most notable people in history, to include Sir Winston Churchill.
Chandor also painted both of the Roosevelts. I adore the study sketches of Eleanor.
A favorite portrait of mine by Chandor is of Queen Elizabeth II created shortly after her coronation.
Indeed his portraiture of women is particularly captivating.
Dorothy Mondell-Gregg
Marjorie Merriweather Post
Chandor Gardens
In 1934, he married his second wife Ina Kuteman Hill who was from Weatherford, Texas. It’s a small town not far from where I live. In 1936, they built a house on cow pasture land owned by her family.
The house was designed by architect Joseph Pelich.
Chandor spent half the year there and half at his studio in New York City.
The couple also established a 3.5-acre (1.4-hectare) garden that they named White Shadows.
After Chandors passing in 1953 his wife renamed the space Chandor Gardens.
The gardens feature a lovely combination of both English and Asian influences.
The Chandor’s both must have had whimsical souls as there are wonderful touches to delight the heart throughout the gardens.
The gardens were kept open to the public until Mrs. Chandor’s passing in 1978.
The house and gardens were then neglected for many years.
In 1994 Melody and Chuck Bradford bought them and spent a year cleaning and repairing the gardens as well as Chandor’s house and studio.
In 2002, the City of Weatherford acquired Chandor Gardens.
Thankfully, the house and gardens are now a Texas Historic Landmark.
I hope you have enjoyed this tour of Chandor Gardens.
I am having surgery tomorrow to remove the wiring from my jaw. Current plans are to back with another installment of Friday Favorites.
Have a wonderful week,
Laura
Thank you for sharing the lovely photos and story behind the gardens. stay cool and enjoy the summer.
I so enjoyed this garden tour, Laura. So glad to see the house and garden were restored beautifully! That fountain is so gorgeous!
Prayers go with you tomorrow as you get your wires removed. That should be a great relief! ~ carol ~
Thank you for telling us about this garden. I had never heard of it & will now plan to visit it one day. Hope your surgery goes well!
What a lovely place! I pray your surgery goes well.
How have I never known his name? Those portraits are magnificent — so spot on but beautifully executed. He deserves a much bigger profile. The gardens are gorgeous and what a peaceful and lovely spot to visit. Your photos are terrific, Laura. Good luck with the jaw surgery this week, Laura. I know all will be well — and a huge relief to be free of the wiring.