Old World offers strolls through heirloom gardens

As the gardens at Old World Wisconsin hit their peak, the historic site will host a series of before- and after-hours heirloom garden strolls. These exclusive events provide opportunities for visitors to learn about the different ethnic groups' gardening styles and traditions see some of their favorite plants and learn how they were used.    

Each stroll will be led by the site's expert historical gardener, Marcia Carmichael. In addition to researching, organizing and leading management of the site's 12 heirloom gardens, Carmichael is also the award-winning author of "Putting Down Roots:  Gardening Insights from Wisconsin's Early Settlers," which was published in 2011 by the Wisconsin Historical Society Press and features the gardens of Old World Wisconsin.  

Each tour concludes with refreshments featuring flavors from the homelands of the gardens visited; evening strolls include refreshments in the garden toured, plus a cash bar. 

Reservations are required and available online at www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx or at (262) 594-6301.

Reservations for a garden stroll include a single-use, half-price museum admission voucher, valid for the 2012 season.

Morning garden strolls on July 22 in the Kruza and Schottler gardens and Sept. 16 in the Ketola and Pedersen gardens are from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Cost is $15 per person

Evening Garden Strolls on Aug. 23 in the Schulz and Koepsell gardens and Sept. 6 in the Sanford and Benson gardens are from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Cost is $20 per person.