On Monday evening Lancaster County Historical Society held their annual Volunteer Picnic at the Conestoga House and Gardens. Jim and I went – Jim as a guest and Linda as a volunteer. The event was well attended, food was ample and delicious and friendships made and renewed. I can safely say all the planning, preparation and work was not in vain. I did not take pictures of the event itself, but I just could not resist taking pictures of the grounds!
Conestoga House and Gardens
After dinner and our way out, we strolled through the gardens. Unbelievable! They are incredible and incredibly maintained. They are Lancaster County’s version of Longwood Gardens on a smaller scale.
Pink Floyd!
Let’s start with “Pink Floyd!” Is this the neatest sculpture or what? The tail and head “feathers” are “Wild Pineapple” and the body is “Earthstar.” Doesn’t he make you smile? From here we continued on to the Rose Garden and Water Garden area, passing this lovely site on the way.
A back entrance to the house
The sun was setting as we were leaving, so the pictures were not the sharp clear pictures I saw with my eyes. The glare of the setting sun was behind the house. The beauty still was apparent. I’m sure you can see it in the pictures.
Side view of the home
As we crossed the driveway over to the Water Garden, Jim pointed out the house across the street and thought it made a nice picture. The light was just right, and I got it when there was not a car of busy Marietta Avenue! The house across the street has always impressed us, and now , much more from this angle!
Neighboring home on Marietta Avenue
We finally made it to the Water Garden and what a peaceful, serene setting! Yes, those are actual water lilies, and yes, there are fish in the ponds. Isn’t the lawn beautifully manicured? and the landscape excellently maintained? We love this place!
It is open to the public on Wednesdays during the summer and our first introduction to it was with friends. They took a picnic supper and we enjoyed it at a table under a tree in the pool area. I photograph that area some other time. It, too, is incredibly landscaped with antheriums, and other tropical plants.
Pond area of the Conestoga House
Do your hanging baskets look this good? I wish mine did! Mine now look scraggly and like they’re dying! They never did look this full! These hanging baskets line this particular building. It is beautiful!
Hanging basket
. . . . .and the side of this particular building. Once again, the sun’s glare got in the way of a perfect picture. The colorful window boxes and the green of the ivy covering the building are eye-catching. It, too, is perfectly trained and manicured. Lovely!
Side of one of the buildings
Tucked into the old stone wall that is across from this building are little plants, here and there. Jim had to point it out to me since I was busy looking at color and there was so very much to see!
Old Stone Wall
Now these baskets are incredible! They are hanging from trees on either side of the entrance into the House and Gardens. They were the first thing that made us gasp!
More Hanging Baskets
These gardens are a well-kept secret in Lancaster County. For the history of the home, be sure the check out their website. The link is at the beginning of this blog.
Make it a destination! You won’t be sorry!
