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Private Gardens of the North Shore ~ July 25th Garden Tour

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Partial view of Mettawa Manor

   

Mettawa Manor

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Garden Gate at Mettawa

Mettawa Manor was built as a family compound in 1927. Now home to Television's Bill Kurtis, it is an exemplary statement of conservation. From the restored prairie, to the newly reclaimed oak and hickory forest.

Enjoy a personal tour by 'Gator' led by Bill himself, or wander the extensive grounds on your own; take a paddle by canoe around the frog pond, or rest in the hammock near one of the many out-buildings. 

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Sunday, July 25th ~ Depart at 8:30 am, return by 5:30 pm

In addition to Mettawa Manor, our tour agenda includes the following three Private Gardens.

Old Mill Farm, Lake Forest
Once a working dairy farm siring championship bulls, this property consisted of a 1929 English Tudor-style house and several outbuildings eventually demolished by the original owner when selling a large portion of the property. The property's master plan was originally designed by Jens Jensen.

 

Garden at Elm Tree

The gardens and restoration began in 2006 and are an ongoing project of 'Gardens in Progress'. The formal French Country House contrasts with the wild nature of the ravine and conservancy area.

 

Lyon Garden - Bird House Meadow, Lake Forest

The surprise of Bird House Meadow has been the ongoing beauty and joy that work on such a small plot can bring to a neighborhood. The meadow is a recent addition to this property and, at only five years old, provides protection for the birds and flowers that call this garden home.

 

 

Be sure to bring your camera and a few friends for a leisurely day at the Garden without the driving hassles.

Make your reservation today. Seating is limited to 23 participants. You may bring your own picnic lunch or order a gourmet lunch from Acorn.

 

Registration Information and Details

This all-day event will take us through a variety of individual gardens where we will be able to view multiple landscape and planting styles.

Tour participants will join Allan and guests for this chartered bus trip where he will act as our informal guide to the gardens, describing their history and some of the featured areas before arrival at our destination. We will be eating on the bus to save time, you may bring your own lunch or order one from Acorn for an additional $9.

You will be free to explore on your own, or you may join Allan as he guides us through the many features of each individual area. We will have an informal question and answer period on the journey home to review the tour.

Tour fee includes round trip travel from Kankakee and admission to the gardens.

We will leave Kankakee promptly at 8:30 am and will return at approximately 5:30 pm.

Trip fee is $75 per person, payable in advance and is non-refundable. Space is assigned upon receipt of a $35 deposit and is limited to 23 participants. No one under 18 years of age is allowed. We will be able to accommodate pickups in Gilman and Manteno, by request.

If you have additional questions, please send an email to info@acorndesignsource.com or fill in the form below.

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