Press Release for Blithewold
Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum
Private gardens open for
Blithewold - and the houses too!
~~~
City
gardens - and the houses - in Providence’s Historic
District of Elmwood are opening their garden gates and front
doors for this year’s much-anticipated GARDENS OPEN
FOR BLITHEWOLD scheduled for Friday and Saturday, June 22
and 23. An annual fund-raising event to benefit Blithewold
Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum in Bristol, Rhode Island,
GARDENS OPEN has become a hugely popular event for both
avid gardeners and the generally-interested alike. June
is such a joyously uplifting time of year and strolling
through gardens and historic houses can only lift your spirits
even higher.
Many of the wonderful houses so graciously
offered as part of this tour were featured in Bob Vila’s
wonderful television series on restoring historic buildings:
Home Again. The series first aired last year in November
and will air again on Channel 12 on June 5th. Vila’s
series, is also a permanent feature on OSO.com - click on
“Neighborhoods.”
Located in the southwest corner of the city
of Providence this beautiful Historic District of Elmwood
has a rich history that sets the stage for the growth of
Providence as a city. The area was part of Roger Williams’
Great Purchase of 1636 and became an agricultural adjunct
to Providence. A rural district at the beginning of the
19th century, the area slowly grew in popularity as a suburb
of the city and was annexed to Providence in 1868. Largely
a neighborhood of houses built between 1865 and 1930 today
Elmwood is a desirable residential area enhanced by pockets
of light industry and commercial development.
Elmwood residents are fiercely proud of their
neighborhood and strive to maintain its historic integrity.
They talk lovingly of their homes, the community and, of
course, their gardens. Brent Bachelder and Peter Haraty,
owners of 195 Lenox Avenue and both new England natives
have tried to bring a little slice of Northern New England
to their garden in the city. In their words, their approach
to gardening is “Darwinian.” They plant many
things but also allow nature to surprise them with what
she wants to grow. Native species and exotic plants happily
coexist in their garden to create a more exciting surrounding.
All gardens and houses will be open from 10am
to 4pm. Advance purchase of tickets is $20 for members of
Blithewold, $25 for non-members. On the day of the tour
the tickets are $25 and $30. Tickets are limited so advance
reservations are highly recommended.
Tickets can be purchased on the days of the
tour at the Alan Shawn Feinstein High School on the corner
of Elmwood Avenue and Ontario Street. Parking is also available
at this location.
Delicious box lunches will be available both days, served
on the elegant porch of a beautiful 1912 home in the District.
Blithewold will need advance reservations for the lunches.
For more information, or tickets, contact Blithewold at
401-253-2707 or visit the website at www.Blithewold.org.
