Carroll County Master Gardeners to launch groundskeeping project at museum

The purpose of the project is to update and maintain the flora around the Calif House, garden and log cabin. The gardens have not had proper upkeep and the CCMG has made plans to change that with new updates to the property.

"The previous director of the museum had been taking care of the gardens, but after her retirement the grounds were left untended," said Master Gardener Mary Knight. "The property is now in need of a major overhaul."

"The interim director of the museum has tried to care for the gardens, but he doesn't have a lot time to devote to the project, and that is where we come in," said Master Gardener Chairwoman Mariellen Griffith.

The master gardeners want to restore the grounds to its original luster, but this has not proved to be an easy task because there are not any records of what was planted around the grounds. Digging up heirloom plants is a concern for the gardeners, since they could be the original plants located on the property.

If they do dig up the gardens, they will salvage what they can and plant additional heirloom plants and perennials along the building.

Plans for cabin greenery will include many native plants to the area. "Restoring the previous plants is vital to the development of the grounds," said Griffith. "We are thinking about adding an herb and vegetable garden to try and make it resemble the era in which it was constructed."

The CCMG also wants to bring an educational component to the gardens by retelling the life of the Calif House, which has become the museum. The house was constructed in1889 by Samuel L. Calif and led many lives before it became the museum. The cabin was built by Cora Pinkley Call's husband in 1930 and was relocated from the Kings River to the grounds of the museum.

Gardening work on the grounds will begin on Aug. 8.