Meadowburn Farm offers tours of historic gardens

VERNON — The historic estate gardens at Meadowburn Farm will open to the public for self-guided tours on Saturday, July 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This privately owned historic garden is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and sits at the heart of Meadowburn’s 590 acres of preserved agricultural land.
The gardens at Meadowburn Farm were designed and built by Helena Rutherfurd Ely, a pioneering figure in American horticulture at the turn of the 20th century and founding member of the Garden Club of America. Ely built her gardens surrounding the main residence at Meadowburn over the course over a 40-year period with the help of her loyal gardener, Albert Furman. Today, the gardens are in the process of restoration and rehabilitation. The gardens have changed very little through time: visitors can still stroll the grass walks of the formal garden, become lost in the blooms of heirloom phlox and dahlias in the picking garden, and find respite in the quiet of the evergreen garden. Highlights in late July include the meadow walk to the large oak, and Ely’s heirloom garden phlox and balloon flower in full bloom. Bring your family, a blanket, and a picnic, and enjoy your afternoon in the gardens.
Admissions: $7, kids under 12 free. Address: 42 Meadowburn Rd, Vernon, NJ, 07462. For more information, visit www.meadowburnfarm.com.