Check out the Gardens at 135!
A little-known secret in the Town of Elkton are the Gardens at 135. These gardens surround the Historical Society/Arts Council building along with a large garden in the front of the Rev. Duke Log House. The gardens at 135 East Main have evolved over time beginning with the front garden that is surrounded by a rock wall. Within the wall is a garden that was created in the memory of Joanne Hamilton using transplants from her own gardens. It is lovingly maintained by her family.
The gardens in front of the log house began at the request of the juvenile court system to be used as a community service project. Volunteers from the Historical Society and the Arts Council created the garden space and juveniles earned community service credit by working in the garden. Volunteers have continued to maintain and add to the perennial and herb gardens and vegetables are shared by all. The lovely garden in the rear of the Historical Society, has a brick path and is filled with many edible flowers and herbs like spearmint, chives, poppy, oregano, rhubarb, sorrel, and thyme.
Initially the Historical Society wanted to have a brick walkway from Main St. down the side of the building to the log house. Knowing the Town of Elkton had old bricks that had been removed from in front of the Presbyterian church, Paula Newton approached Mayor Alt about acquiring them for the walkway. Margie Blystone, Chairperson of the Arts & Entertainment District in Elkton approached the Society about a plan for a side garden with seating that would be a respite for people in town. Large galvanized planters were installed and filled with mums and after the mums died off, over 300 bulbs were planted which resulted in a beautiful display of Spring flowers this year.
Joe Tribble was the main contractor for the garden and deck portion of the project. He laid the bricks and built the deck with some help from Dick Blystone. A whole crew of people helped clear out the overgrowth including: Joe Tribble, Rob Massimiano, Dave Massimiano, Dick Blystone, Sarah Blystone, Margie Blystone, Annmarie Hamilton, and Russ Hamilton.
The cast-off corner stones were moved into place by: Dick Blystone, Sarah Blystone, Funding for the garden space was made possible by an Operating Assistance Grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, made available to us as a designated Arts & Entertainment District. The grant money was used to pay for the following: deck materials, lighting, gravel, stepping stones, tables & chairs, galvanized flower beds, sand & soil, bulbs, signage, and labor.
Artists were hired for:
Painted deck post murals – Liz & Iris
Public Art Project Artwork – Colleen Tiefenthal
Public Art Project Framework and Installation – John Dixon
The mural was created as a Public Art Project. CCAC Member artist Colleen Tiefenthal created the image and attendees of Elkton’s First Friday Art Loop in September 2019 painted a portion of the image. CCAC Board Member and Member Artist John Dixon, created an acrylic window grid to house the artwork and hung the piece in a niche located on the side of the building in the garden space. The idea behind the mural was to create a piece of artwork the community took part in creating, thereby having a sense of ownership to the space.
The official ribbon cutting for the Garden @135 took place on Elkton’s First Friday Art Loop on October 4, 2019. The entire project cost was roughly $5800.
The Gardens at 135 have brought together people from numerous organizations who have a common interest and all volunteers have been welcomed. Gardening promotes exercise and a healthy lifestyle and we would like to share those benefits with the community. To that goal we are initiating the 135 Garden Club. If you are interested in joining, please contact Annmarie at the Arts Council or Paula Newton at the Historical Society.
