Sewickley Civic Garden Council Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Garden Tour

A garden designed in the early 1900s is one of six gardens that will be featured tonight when the Sewickley Garden Tour kicks off the annual event.  

The formal garden was designed to complement the imposing brick house built for industrialist John C. Oliver in 1912 and remains true to the original design, though the current owners of 30 years have replaced some plants to simplify the landscape maintenance.

That original garden plan and redesign are now housed at the Smithsonian Institute’s historic gardens archives.

"That's kind of special for us, and this is special because it's our anniversary year," said Susan Craig, president of the Sewickley Civic Garden Council, which is celebrating 50 years. 

From 6 to 8 p.m. tonight, the self-guided tour will offer complimentary wine and some food while highlighting lush, green gardens in Sewickley and Edgeworth. 

On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors will enjoy iced tea and cookies in the afternoon. 

More than 150 tickets have been sold for the tour, which can be completed in one day or in two days, whatever is most convenient.

In addition to the John C. Oliver garden, Craig said the tour will showcase a variety of gardens, including the Garden of the Gates; Garden of Tranquility; The Secret Garden; and the Topiary Folly Garden.

"We wanted to do something that would signify the wonderful gardening aspect that there is in Sewickley, all the wonderful estates and the people that came over," Craig said. "The masons and gardeners of the old estates still have relatives, heirs that live here, over four generations. So I think it's apropos to have a tour that's varied with all different kinds of gardens." 

The tour brochure provides a map, descriptions of each garden, and a list of local restaurants for lunch and dinner options.

Tickets are $25 and will be available at the gazebo in Wolcott Park at Beaver and Thorn streets or through PayPal at www.sewickleygardens.org. Proceeds benefit the Sewickley Civic Garden Council.

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