Upcoming Events:
June 8– 4th Annual Washington County Garden Tour from 10am-4pm.
Washington County Garden Tour- Fourth Annual
Saturday, June 8, 2013
10:00a.m.-4:00p.m.
Ticket Cost- $10.00 per person for all gardens
Tickets sold only day of event at each garden by cash sale
Presented by Friends of the Rural Heritage Museum
Come spend a day in the garden with “Friends”
Garden Tour Brochure: Garden Tour Brochure
Garden Tour Map: Garden Tour Map
Garden Tour Flyer: Garden Tour Flyer
Gardens on display::
Flower Garden, 1076 Lindsay Lane, Hagerstown, MD 21742
Perennial garden has blooms from spring to fall.
Six walking paths are flanked with Irish moss, curly cue alliums, coral bells, and astilbe, leading to five trellises covered in wisteria. There are 33 clematis and 20 paper plate hibiscus blooming at different times. The back of the garden shows Shasta daisies and coneflowers along with globe alliums. Variegated liriope line the border. Weeping blue atlas cedars cover the side of the house and give the appearance of a water fall.
Wellspring Gardens, 13501 Wellspring Drive, Hagerstown, MD 21740
The owners have transformed a flat, rectangular half acre suburban subdivision lot into a relaxing retreat featuring a shaker style garden shed and four square vegetable garden along with a perennial border that spans the rear of the property. The owners have utilized careful placement of evergreen and deciduous plants to screen their property from adjoining lots while maintaining an open vista to the rear. Interspersed within the gardens is an eclectic collection of garden art and gardening antiques. Numerous containers full of unique collections of colorful annuals are scattered throughout the garden as well as highlighting a patio area surrounded by a dry stack stone wall.
Kathy's Garden , 106 N. Potomac Street, Sharpsburg, MD 21782
Our home sits in the historic town of Sharpsburg. We have done a total makeover of our home and garden, with before and after photos. There are paver walkways with stone work around and about the garden. Water fountains add interest to the perennials and trees and many different kinds of shrubs in contrasting colors. The center point of the home would have to be a very old Smoke Tree that is in its peek the last of May. We enjoy our Home and Garden and hope you will to.
Root Garden, 64 North Main Street, Keedysville, MD 21756
A work in progress, this garden is kept by a seventh-year retiree. With over 65 different flowers and bushes, it keeps this gardener busy transplanting flowers year round. A variety of flowers can be found here, the majority of which are early spring and fall flowers that include tulips, sunflowers, mums, and daylilies. Enjoying the sights and sounds of the outdoors has never been easier. Consisting of multiple places to sit and relax, as well as several bird houses of various sizes, this garden is sure to appeal to the nature lover in you!
Montpelier Farm, 13508 Broadfording Road, Clear Spring, MD 21722
Located in Clear Spring sits a stone house dating from the 1750's. This former slave master's house was restored by Andy and Cindy Downs. Having no gardens, artist and gardener Cindy Downs approached the property as a blank canvas. Now there are many gardens including an herb, formal boxwood, wildflower, woodland, and hummingbird garden. The Downses also moved two historic log cabins to their yard. But the highlight of the yard is a one acre pond complete with an island and a sandy beach.
German Four-Square Garden, Rural Heritage Museum, 7313 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro, MD 21713
Early Swiss and German settlers of this area brought their traditional garden plan with them: four symmetrical, raised garden beds laid out with packed earth paths between the beds and a picket fence around to protect the vegetables and provide support for vining plants. Here traditional herbs, lettuces, spring onions, sweet peas and dye-stuffs were grown.
Visit the Fahrney Garden as well while on the property. This garden is a representation of the herbs that Dr. Fahrney left in his medical papers. He grew, collected or bought by mail order these plants to heal the four parts of the body: respiratory, digestive, skin and circulatory.
An outdoor artisan bread baking demonstration will also be taking place during the tour.
Branch Garden, 10932 Garrison Hollow Road, Clear Spring, MD 21722.
Our gardens sit among oaks and pines. Not wanting to cut any trees, we decided to make the best of tree roots, shade, and dry stony soil with hostas, rhodies, azaleas, pieris japonica, astilbes, hydrangeas, and, surprisingly enough, roses. Where we found a sunny spot we made a bed. A lily pond in part shade was a challenge. It’s been a labor of love with some disappointments and many pleasant surprises. Kind of wild and natural is how we like to describe our gardens.
Additional Information:
Parking is available on or near gardens
As a courtesy, no pets please
Refreshments will be available at various sites
A printable map will be provided at a later date with a suggested route; however, we encourage participants to create their own route
Hats, bug repellant and sun screen is recommended to deter garden gnats and sun
At the Rural Heritage Museum, Master Gardener garden activity and Outdoor artisan bread baking demonstration at the wood-fired oven.
July 13- Weather Permitting- Garden activity in the Four-Square garden with the Master Gardeners from 1pm-4pm. Free Event.
Outdoor artisan bread baking demonstration at the wood-fired oven.
July 20- Heritage Fun Day- 1pm-4pm- Visit the Rural Heritage Village during Ag Expo and Fair- Cabins open, Master Gardeners in the four-square garden- Weather Permitting.
August 24– 11th Annual Spudfest beginning at 11am sharp! Potatoes planted in the spring are harvested by horse-drawn plow. Prizes are awarded to the children, in age groups, for finding the certain potatoes. Some of the harvested potatoes will be used to demonstrate making homemade potato chips. Free Event.
Taste of the Garden in the Four-Square garden with the Master Gardeners from 1pm-4pm- Weather Permitting.
Outdoor artisan bread baking demonstration at the wood-fired oven.
October 19– 4th Annual Living History Day from 10am-5pm. Imagine what rural life was like in Washington County in the mid 1800’s. All buildings in the Village and Farmstead will be open with demonstrators in each. Free Event.
November 9– Breakfast Buffet Fundraiser– more information and tickets available after 10/1/13
December 6– 4th Annual Rural Heritage Village by Candlelight from 6pm-9pm. Cost $10 per family, $5 single. Enjoy a guided tour on foot by candlelight, visiting each of our Village buildings. Enjoy listening to storytellers, learning holiday customs, singing along with caroling, and warming by the hearth in the cabin as you celebrate the season.
December 7- Annual Holiday Open House from 1pm-4pm. Visit Santa Claus in an authentic sleigh for picture taking opportunities. Children’s workshop and craft area. Special Holiday decorations. Punch and cookies served.
All dates, times, and costs are subject to change, please call, or visit the website to confirm prior to the event.
The Rural Heritage Museum is always open
Saturday and Sunday 1pm-4pm and weekdays by
appointment. Groups are welcome and
encouraged by appointment.
