ALBEMARLE — Signs of spring are popping up across North Carolina and beautiful colors are returning to homes and gardens in Stanly County. To celebrate the season, the Stanly County Historical Society is hosting a Courtyard & Garden Tour on April 30.
The society will use funds from the event to benefit educational programs and preservation initiatives. The self-guided tour features ten private and public courtyards and garden spaces from Albemarle to Richfield. The event will run from 10am to 4pm and is designed to entertain and inspire gardeners of all skill levels. The tour features a variety of garden spaces including do-it-yourself landscapes, restored formal gardens and centuries old family farms.
The tour begins at the Historic 1852 Isaiah Snuggs House at 112 N. Third Street in Downtown Albemarle. There patrons can purchase a $20 wristband from 9:30 am to 2 pm. Historical Society volunteers and members of the NC Extension Master Gardener/Stanly Chapter maintain these historic gardens with plants typical of the 19th century of the state’s Piedmont region. Other tour sites will open at 10 am.
The first seven sites are in Albemarle. Site 1 is the pocket gardens of Dr. Doug Hume and Dr. Jana Strukova at 1051 Pee Dee Ave. Site 2 features the innovative landscaping of Tim Johnson at 838 N. Ninth St. Sites 3 and 4 adjoin the backyards of Lee & Billie Jean Snuggs at 249 N. Fifth St and Mrs. Hilda Snuggs at 250 N. Fifth St. Site 5 is a magical space created by Austin & Megan King and Rob & Dondee King at 271 N. Third St. Site 6 highlights the versatile courtyard of the Stanly County Senior Center, 283 N. Third St. The iconic restored formal gardens of the Julius Clegg Hall House, 343 N. Second St is site 7.
Sites 8, 9 & 10 showcase the rich agricultural history and beauty of Northern Stanly. The first stop is the homestead of Tim & Deborah Burris at 24414 Collie Road in Gold Hill. After that stop, you travel to the rolling hills of the Lipe Family Farm of Ed and Nancy Lipe at 37767 Paul’s Crossing Road in Richfield. The final stop is a restored flower garden and the 1870 homestead of Tom & Anne Lipe at 37684 Paul’s Crossing Road.
Advance $15 wristband tickets will be available through April 29th at the Stanly County History Center, 157 N. Second St in Downtown Albemarle. For more information call 704-986-3777. Corporate sponsors for the tour are Bushwackers Landscaping, Hudson Pool Distributors, Smith’s Home Furnishings, McAulayAllen Design, NJR Group, Mauney’s Farm, Home and Garden and The Corner Supermarket.