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It's been a little over a year now since everything shut down and most public events were quarantined due to the pandemic.
So, it's with great joy that I'm writing a column today to let you know that the Museums of Oglebay Institute is having its Secret Gardens of Wheeling Tour and Garden Market this spring!
"The pandemic curtailed most of the museum's traditional programming and fundraising events for the past year, and we are excited to dip our toes back in the water with a long-time popular event," said Christin Byrum, director of museums.
"The outdoor garden tour and market is an ideal activity that can easily be adapted to meet Ohio and West Virginia COVID-19 guidelines. We are looking forward to seeing our friends and supporters."
The date of the garden tour and market is Saturday, June 12 so put it on your calendar now and plan for a delightful driving tour of five wonderful outdoor spaces that will delight your senses and give you some new ideas to try in your own garden.
Committee member Hydie Friend is the chair of the Secret Gardens and she promises that the tour offers a close-up look at diverse properties that are easy to find but difficult to leave.
The exact locations of the gardens might be a secret but I can tell you that two of these lovelies are in Wheeling and three are located close-by in Belmont County.
New this spring is the opportunity for those taking part in the event to pick where they begin the driving tour, either at the Mansion Museum in Oglebay, or at the antique and vintage boutique called "Three Labs Salvage," located at 142 West Main St., St. Clairsville.
Tour tickets are sold in advance online at oionline.com or at either location the day of the event. Each participant will receive a brochure with driving directions and the names and addresses of the gardens, along with a brief description.
Tour tickets will be sold only from 9 a.m. till 2 p.m., though the gardens are open to guests from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Planned and staffed by the Museums Committee, a volunteer group of supporters, the garden tour includes a public Garden Market located on the wide lawn of the Mansion Museum. This market is free and open to everyone, whether you are touring the gardens or not.
The Garden Market is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and two volunteers worked at putting this shopping experience together, Kassie Edwards of Martins Ferry and Lisa Jorden of Wheeling. These volunteers have put together a great group of merchandise from vendors that include gift items, pottery, jewelry, soaps, silk scarves, yard art and more.
Vendors include Ashton Woods Studio, Barnesville Crafts Made Easy, Grace and Heart, Knits of Rage, Mountain Momma Pottery, Yard Art, Yardscape, Patti's Flowers and others.
In my opinion, garden enjoyment is more important than ever due to COVID-19. The great outdoors seems even better when it's the safest place to be thanks to natural ventilation.
For more information on the Museums of Oglebay Institute or the Secret Gardens, please call the Mansion at 304-242-7272.