Rochester Hills Museum to host annual Garden Walk

A preview party featuring wine tastings is among the gardens on the 14^th annual Rochester Hills Museum Garden Walk and Preview Party Co-sponsored by the Rochester Branch of the Woman’s National Farm and Garden, this year’s walk shows off gardens from town to country in the Rochester, Rochester Hills, and Oakland Township area on Thursday, June 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Guests can also tour the Children’s Garden on the Museum grounds as well as the Dairy Barn and Calf Barn and historic plantings surrounding the 1840 Van Hoosen Farmhouse.

Two natural spring ponds provide the perfect backdrop for hostas and ferns at the preview party garden situated on more than four acres along Paint Creek Trail. Roses, peonies and rhododendrons line the pathway leading to the home. The residents, Kim and Jim Palmer, are co-owners of Harbor Springs Vineyards and Winery at Pond Hill Farm, a family owned self sustaining farm. Three years ago the Palmers joined Jimmy, Marci and Sharon Spencer to create the vineyards and winery. Award winning Pond Hill wine tastings will be offered at the preview party along with appetizers and desserts. Guests will also enjoy live music and plein air artists.  Tickets for the event, which is Wednesday, June 19 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., are $60 per couple or $35 individual and includes a ticket for the next day’s walk. However, the preview garden will not be included in the Thursday walk.

An Open Air Market featuring Michigan artisans will be held on the Museum grounds from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on walk day. Kathy Miller of Kathy’s Gardening will present “Creative Container Gardening” at 2:00 p.m. Door prizes will be awarded during the program which is free to ticket holders. Walkers can also view artists at work throughout the Children’s Garden which includes a new hand-operated farm pump. Refreshments will be provided during the market.

Advance tickets are available on the museum website through PayPal at www.rochesterhills.org/musprograms or at the Museum on Fridays and Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Cost in advance is $12 ($10 museum members) or on the event day for $14. 

The Rochester Hills Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is located at 1005 Van Hoosen Road off Tienken Road between Rochester and Dequindre Roads. For more information call 248-656-4663.