There is a new venue for
Hill Country Master
Gardeners who live in
the Fredericksburg to
earn volunteer hours —
the grounds of the
Gillespie County
Historical Society. This
landmark on West Main
Street in Fredericksburg
is a popular tourist
attraction, as well as
the site of a number of
historic buildings
maintained by the
Gillespie County
Historical Society.
The grounds are comprised
of about 2 acres of
lawns and flower beds,
some of which have been
in place for many years
and others only recently
added. The older beds
have evolved over the
years and contain many
plant and shrub
varieties from the past.
The newer beds were
professionally
landscaped to complement
the recently
reconstructed
Dambach-Besier home,
which houses the new
entrance to the Pioneer
Museum, as well as a
museum shop, conference
room, restrooms and
offices.
The Fredericksburg
Chapter of the Native
Plant Society planted
and maintains several
large beds of native
plants on the grounds,
as well. An old bed just
outside the
Administrative offices
of the Historical
Society on San Antonio
St. was rejuvenated last
year by the Horticulture
Classes at
Fredericksburg Middle
School. The students
removed old plants,
improved the soil,
created a landscape plan
and replanted the bed
using native and adapted
plants. It was an
ambitious project and
has created a beautiful
new entry area for the
Society.
The variety of beds and plant
species provide
opportunities for Master
Gardeners to apply their
knowledge and skills in
areas where their
efforts will be
appreciated by the
general public. They
will also be helping
preserve and improve an
important piece of
Fredericksburg’s
history.
Workdays at the Museum
grounds are scheduled
for the first Thursday
and the third Wednesday
of each month at 8:30
am. Master Gardeners and
Interns with
Fredericksburg addresses
are being included among
those who receive an
email reminder about
each workday.
See the latest exciting
project at the
Historical Center |
