Hidden treasures in Bloomington-Normal
David Davis Mansion State Historic Site hosts Garden Festival tour June 19-20

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[June 15, 2015]  BLOOMINGTON – Garden lovers can put on their walking shoes June 19-20 and discover Bloomington-Normal’s hidden treasures during the 19th annual Glorious Garden Festival Garden Walk, hosted by the David Davis Mansion State Historic Site.

This year’s Garden Walk theme is “Hidden Treasures - Gems in the Garden” and will feature tours of 10 private gardens. Hours are 1-8 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday. The Garden Walk will be held rain or shine.

Tickets are $17 in advance, $20 the weekend of the event and $7 for anyone under 18. Tickets may be purchased in advance at Schnuck’s Supermarkets in Normal and Bloomington, the Garlic Press, Casey’s Garden Shop, Wendell Niepagen Greenhouses and the David Davis Mansion Visitor Center.

Advance tickets may also be purchased online at www.daviddavismansion.org  (discount applies) or at the Davis Mansion (full price) the weekend of the event.
 


The walk is a fundraiser for the David Davis Mansion Foundation, which provides private support for the state-operated historic site. Over the past 18 years, more than 18,000 visitors have toured Bloomington-Normal’s most beautiful gardens, generating over $222,000 for the non-profit foundation.

As this year’s theme suggests, Garden Walk guests are encouraged to look for “hidden gems” – unique items displayed among the flowers and foliage in each garden. Highlights will include space-saving “square-foot” vegetable gardens, a mini beach area, water features, a custom watering system and fanciful yard art.

The event also includes a gardeners’ marketplace on the mansion lawn, complimentary tea and desserts, and tours of the historic site’s Sarah’s Garden with University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners. Guided tours of the Davis Mansion will also be offered.

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The garden walk begins at the David Davis Mansion, 1000 Monroe Drive, Bloomington. Easy ticket and map pick-up, with drive-through service and free parking on the Mansion grounds, is available during the entire event weekend. For more information, call (309) 828-1084.

Proceeds from this year's event will support restoration of the historic Sarah’s Garden, a long-term project that involves research and the reintroduction of difficult-to-find heirloom plants and seeds. Proceeds will also be used to develop new science-based school field trip programs utilizing the garden.

The David Davis Mansion State Historic Site, administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, was built in 1872 for Supreme Court Justice David Davis and his wife, Sarah. The site is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for free public tours.

[Jeannie Riordan, Illinois Historic Preservation AGency]

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