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The Legacy of Elk Rock Garden: A Century of Horticultural History – a Lecture & House Tour Benefitting Elk Rock Garden on May 31, 2025 at 2pm

Join us at 2pm on May 31, 2025 for a fascinating lecture and slideshow by local historian Eileen Fitzsimons discussing the historic Elk Rock Garden property!

Discover Elk Rock Garden’s remarkable story and the influential figures who shaped it, including businessman Peter Kerr who developed the garden over several decades, with advice from John C. Olmsted of the renowned Olmsted Brothers landscape firm, architects Ellis Lawrence and William Holford, and expert plantsman Emanuel Mische.

Your $75 ticket includes a lecture featuring rarely-seen historic photos of the early days of Elk Rock Garden, a lively Q&A, a guided tour of the manor house, and refreshments and sweet treats served in the garden. 

ONLY 50 SPOTS AVAILABLE FOR THIS RARE OPPORTUNITY!  All proceeds support restoration of this beloved historic property. 

About Eileen Fitzsimons: Eileen Fitzsimons is public historian who has written about local history for The Bee newspaper for over 20 years. Both a lifelong gardener and a member of the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon since 1985, Eileen has led walking tours, written National Register nominations, and is the author of several entries in the Oregon Encyclopedia, including entries about Peter Kerr and Elk Rock Garden.

Purchase tickets here or on the Events page of our website.

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New Gardener at Elk Rock Garden

Nico Swartz has joined Elk Rock Garden as our new Lead Gardener.

With a bachelor’s degree in Conservation Ecology, and a lifelong passion for plants and the environment, Nico is deeply committed to preserving and enhancing the health and natural beauty of Elk Rock Garden. His professional experience spans native plant propagation, removal of invasive plants, habitat restoration and volunteer leadership, making him particularly well-suited to this challenging role. Having previously worked with the Walker Basin Conservancy and Friends of Trees, Nico is grounded in a philosophy of sustainability and preservation, and aims to foster resilience in Elk Rock Garden’s landscape while also engaging with the community through hands-on stewardship.

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Fall Crocus

It may be fall, but there are still signs of new life popping up around the garden. The fall crocus are beginning to force their way up through the damp soil, pushing aside the cover of autumn leaves.

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All Things Come To An End

Some two hundred years ago the trees you see in this photograph began to grow in what is now Elk Rock Garden on the grounds of the Bishop’s Close. During a recent storm the roots became waterlogged and all three of the major trunks came down. Today the company tasked with cutting them up and removing them from the grounds finished their work. Except for the tracks of heavy moving equipment, only the memory of these beautiful trees remains.