This is what passes for the Lucas County Historical Society Museum herb garden, begun several years ago in a patch of sun-baked and otherwise unproductive earth alongside the back porch of the A.J. Stephens House --- in part because nothing else interesting would grow there.
We're in the process of having some repairs done to the porch, so I took these shots late yesterday, just in case it got trampled (doesn't look like it will). I'm due to meet Andy and Willie at the house at 7:30 this morning to let them in, so we'll see.
Some plants have flourished here --- lavender loves the location, as does rue, marjoram and thyme. The broad-leaf parsley looks like it will do well. Elsewhere, the tarragon straggled through the winter, the oregano and rosemary are recently planted, mint is launching its annual effort to conquer this little square of the world, but the chives and sage, close to the wall, have never been happy here.
This is the date stone for the house, originally located elsewhere on the grounds but moved here more than 50 years ago when the south entrance to the circle drive around the house was moved farther down the hill. A. (Andrew Jackson) Stephens built it for his family in 1911.
It's a very sturdy building, but a money pit. In recent years it's been treated to a new roof and entirely rewired. We had it sealed against bats last year (hopefully that holds) and had quite a few interior wall surfaces repaired. This year, it's the porch --- and later on in the summer the entire building will be tuckpointed.
We're going to open to the public on June 1 --- for the first time in more than a year. Actually, the museum never has been exactly closed. The office has remained open, the work has continued and guests who called to make appointments after mandates were lifted were shown around. But after June 1, we'll be open 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and at other times by appointment through the end of October. Admission is free.
We've not scheduled any public events this summer, but are monitoring the COVID-19 situation and if the outlook remains positive as the summer progresses may plan a gathering in the fall.
The other big news of the day is that I'm finally going to get a decent hair cut today. Another cause for celebration.
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