After a two year hiatus the Living in History Home and Garden Tour, coordinated by the Garden Club of Frankfort with the assistance of Frankfort/Franklin County Tourist Commission will happen again in Frankfort on Saturday, June 11.
Because of lingering COVID concerns, the tour which has included a tour of the homes, will include just the lovely gardens of the selected venues. Guests may tour the gardens at their leisure from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The cost is $15.00.
The proceeds from the tour will go toward helping to reforest some of the devastation that took place in Western Kentucky after tornadoes ripped through the area Dec. 10, 2021.
“Not many people think about the ground cover and trees that were leveled,” Garden Club of Frankfort President Karen Nance said. “Our garden club wants to help the garden club there.”
One of the areas that was completely destroyed was in front of the Graves County Courthouse, which was maintained by the Laurel Oak Garden Club in Mayfield.
Eight gardens will be open to patrons. Located in some of Frankfort’s suburban neighborhoods, tours include the gardens of Rosie and Doug Doerting and neighbor Jean Henry. Rosie, who is chair of the Garden Tour, loves to be connected to Jean’s yard.
“It’s pretty fun living next to such an avid gardener,” Rosie said of Henry.
The garden of Marilyn Grisson includes a view of the Kentucky River in the Meadowview subdivison.
“Most people don’t expect that you can see the Kentucky River from one of these subdivisions, so it’s pretty amazing to see it,” Rosie said.
The tour will take participants to downtown Frankfort where they will see the garden of Rich and Anna Marie Rosen. The garden is behind their historic home, whom architect D.X.Murphy designed the grandstand and twin Spires at Churchill Downs in Louisville. It’s also noted that artist Paul Sawyier lived on the property for some time.
At this historic intersection, guests can see the new condominium complex of Connie White and David Webster. And, across the street is Liberty Hall, the home of Kentucky’s first senator. In addition to the gardens, the home will be open for a nominal charge.
The “icing on the cake” special addition to the tour is the garden of the Lieutenant Governor’s Mansion on High Street. The mansion is reputed to be the oldest official executive mansion still in use in the United States.
To conclude the tour, guests are invited to tour the gardens of Teresa and Jack Damron. This urban subdivision located in the rolling hills of Frankfort, is a testament of the love that the Damron’s have for the countryside. Guests of the tour can choose to start or end their day in this beautiful setting.
“I think this tour gives a very rounded flavor of what Frankfort can offer when you choose to live here,” Rosie said.
Participants are encouraged to eat at any of the downtown restaurants.
The Garden Club of Frankfort meets monthly. It maintains several gardens throughout Frankfort and is involved in several environmental initiatives in the city and state. It is a member of the Garden Clubs of Kentucky.
For further information contact Rosie Doerting at 502-229-0679 or on the Garden Club of Frankfort Facebook page. Tickets for the tour can be purchased at visitfrankfort.com.
