Category: Gallery

Three Gardens. Two Generations. One Unforgettable Day.

On May 9, 2026, Elk Rock Garden invites you to experience something quite rare: a day spent exploring three extraordinary private gardens, each shaped by the Kerr family’s shared love of plants.

You will enjoy guided tours of:

Elk Rock Garden: Peter Kerr’s beloved estate garden is one of Portland’s great horticultural treasures. (Light refreshments will be provided at Elk Rock Garden on tour day.)

Jane Kerr Platt’s Garden: A stunning collection of mature specimen trees, rhododendrons, and witch hazels occupy a former orchard property designed by Jane Kerr Platt and John Platt, anchored by a Pietro Belluschi-designed home, and now stewarded by David and Lisa Platt.

Lady McDonald’s Garden: Designed in 1940 by the legendary Elizabeth Lord and Edith Schryver, this terraced garden reflects Lady Anne Kerr McDonald’s masterful eye for flowering woody shrubs and rare trees, now owned and cared for by Todd Liebow and Anita Barbey.

This is first time all three gardens have been open simultaneously in years, offering an unusual opportunity for garden lovers to enjoy guided tours of each all on the same day!

Tickets: $75 | All proceeds support the restoration of Elk Rock Garden

With only 100 spots available, tickets will almost certainly sell out!

Reserve your spot here: givebutter.com/3GardenTour

*photo credits: Stephanie Brown, Lisa Platt, Janet Loughrey

In November, construction began in the Elk Rock Garden manor house, allowing us to make upgrades to a number of key building systems including plumbing, wiring and HVAC. We are doing our best to keep disruptions in the garden to a minimum, while working to ensure the building’s long-term preservation. 

Continue reading “Mission-Aligned Nonprofit Office Partners Sought”

Elk Rock Garden is looking for volunteers to assist our gardener with raking, weeding, the removal of invasive plants, and other garden maintenance tasks. We also welcome volunteers for help with administrative tasks, fundraising and special events.

If you have a talent you’d like to put to use at the garden, please provide your contact information and the skills you’d like to share by filling out this online form:

https://elkrockgarden.org/volunteer/

We’re thrilled to share that Elk Rock Garden’s Preservation Fund, launched in September 2025, is already making a meaningful difference in restoring and maintaining our historic grounds!

Continue reading “Restoration Update: Progress and Ongoing Needs”

This summer marked a significant milestone for the UO Pacific Northwest Field School program as they celebrated their 30th anniversary year with an immersive three-week residency at Elk Rock Garden. 

Continue reading “Celebrating Thirty Years of Preservation Education: The University of Oregon’s Pacific Northwest Field School Program Helps Transform the Elk Rock Garden Property”

Built in 1895 by Scottish immigrant, Peter Kerr, the ten acre garden is a bastion of peace and serenity for all to enjoy. This soothing virtual tour was filmed by
Béla R. Balogh with drone and handheld cameras during the week of September 15th, 2025.

The garden was created in the 1890s. Thanks to UO’s Pacific Northwest Field School program, students and instructors from the Pacific Northwest and beyond are restoring the site’s polish for visitors.

 The historic Elk Rock Garden is undergoing a restoration.

The historic estate, located on South Military Lane, is enjoying some much needed restoration thanks to students from the University of Oregon, and experts from across the country. Students are learning hands-on techniques that preserve not just the buildings – but also the heritage of the estate.

The famous Elk Rock Garden estate, created during the Gilded Age in Portland’s affluent Dunthorpe enclave, has a new mission: To promote healthy ecosystems and climate resiliency in all neighborhoods…

https://www.hereisoregon.com/places/2025/08/a-gilded-age-oregon-estate-has-a-new-mission-bringing-together-scientists-students-and-gardeners.html

https://www.oregonlive.com/galleries/K3V2IC34SNFWTIHV5TE3C2X4F4