Shipley School Hosts 37th Annual Secret Gardens Tour

The this week held its 37^th annual Secret Gardens Tour, a fundraiser for the school, featuring nine gardens in the Bryn Mawr-Gladwyne-Villanova area.

Each year, a different area is selected, and the locations are kept a secret until tour-goers get a map from the school since private garden owners don’t want to publicize their names and addresses.

Renee Johnson was on the tour with two of her friends, all parents of Shipley students said they all have gardens.

“I think it’s a very strong year,” said Johnson, who has been going on the tour for about six years. “There’s a diverse collection of gardens and good attendance… It’s a great thing Shipley does every year. It’s a lot of work, and it’s a great event.”

Jean Tracy, a Shipley alumna who was touring another one of the gardens—seemingly the favorite of the bunch, said it was fabulous.

“I like the houses where you feel that the people are really involved in their garden,” Tracy said. “This is formal, but it has a lot of personality. I usually think [overall] it’s a good mix, and I would say that again.”

Theresa Snyder, the mother of a Shipley sixth grader, was volunteering at one of the gardens.

“It’s a nice thing to have for everyone to do because you’re able to see someone else’s garden—it’s very inspirational,” Snyder said. “It’s a wonderful way to share nature’s beauty, and the admission fee helps the school so there’s a cause.”

For the first time this year, the event also included “Art from the Gardens.” Six artists were given a week to paint at least three pieces, which were on display at Appleford during Wednesday's tour. The paintings are available for sale at the school's website, said Shipley’s Director of Special Programs and Events Christie Moag.

“We actually spend about a year looking at different gardens that are recommended through garden clubs and through friends, varying on which area we’re going to be in,” Moag said.

Next year’s tour is set for Wednesday, May 16, 2012.