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Authentic details, such as heart pine floors and reproduction William Morris wallpapers, add to the sense of history evoked by Jim and Ginger Sanderlin’s newly built house.

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Although construction on The Forest was only completed a few months ago, the home evokes the stately glory of the historic building it was modeled after: The Robert Carter House, built around 1753.

Ginger and Jim Sanderlin fell in love with The Robert Carter House, which once served as a residence for the governor while the Governor’s Palace was being built, during a visit to Colonial Williamsburg. They wanted to recreate that home here in Goochland County, and patterned the exterior and ground floor to resemble details of the original.

Using methods and materials that were as authentic as possible, including the antique heart pine floors and the brick patterns of the four chimneys, the Sanderlins had their home built on a plot of land that extends for 16 acres.

Rolfe Shiflett of Shiflett Construction Services and Joseph Poole IV of Colonial Williamsburg offered encouragement and expertise, helping the Sanderlins turn their vision into a reality.

Today the home boasts extensive mouldings as well as handmade fire surrounds, mantels and paneling.

The impressive study, which is separated by a breezeway from the main house, is furnished with leather chairs and a brass chandelier.

In the kitchen are 19th century pine cupboards, a Centennial Chippendale sideboard and two Aga cookstoves from England.

A cottage on the property houses a dollhouse modeled after the Tasha Tudor dollhouse at the Abby Aldridge Folk Art Museum in Williamsburg. Outside the cottage is Della’s Garden, named for Ginger Sanderlin’s mother and filled with lush flower and vegetable beds.

Other landscaping around the home highlights colonial plants and garden designs, including herb beds and a Victoria Orangery.

2008 House Tour:

When: Oct. 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where:  The tour will visit houses throughout Crozier.

Cost: $20 in advance, $25 the day of the tour.

Details: Learn more about the tour by calling 556-3966 or by visit http://www.goochlandhistory.org.

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