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August 30, 1999
Lind House garden grows very wellCenter Street opening will let more see the beautyBy SARA SYVERSON Journal Staff Writer NEW ULM -- Surprise! Pink, red, purple, yellow, white... a patch of summer color has been revealed this week to the public with the re-opening of Center Street. A Victorian style garden that was planted this spring at the Lind House, located on the corner of Center and State Streets, has finally gotten the chance to show its true colors. The garden was designed by one of the Lind House Board of Directors, Jolene Koch and planted by five Lind board members under Koch's guidance. "I'm real pleased at how it turned out," said Koch, "The road has been closed. It'll be a nice surprise for people." The garden was something the board of directors had talked about for a couple of years. A donation was made to the Lind House Association by Lorraine Herzog, of New Ulm, which was given in memory of her husband Richard. Herzog said she donated the money to the Lind House Association five of six years ago with the idea to purchase a grandfather clock for the Lind House in memory of her husband, but someone else had donated a grandfather clock. "Then I wanted to buy a library table, but that never materialized," said Herzog, "I asked the board what they suggested the money be used for." The board of directors decided planting a garden on the grounds would be an appropriate way to use the donated money, said Vice Chair of the Lind House Board of Directors Doug Howard. "I think it's beautiful," said Herzog, who saw the garden in July when she attended a shower at the Lind House. Koch found a Victorian gardening book via the Internet and began her research last spring. It took her approximately two weeks, working on and off on to create the design. When the design was finished, she took approixmately two days purchasing the plants they would need for the garden. Eight flats of annuals were purchased, Koch said. Koch has also used the Lind House Victorian garden design for an University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardening project. The garden is planted in a figure eight shape with various ribbons of color stretching the length of the garden. The outer edge of the garden has been planted with annual flowers, while perennials were planted in the interior areas of the garden. "The ribbons of color is a prominent Victorian style," said Koch. The Lind House Victorian garden is alive with lilies, foxgloves, roses, mums, lavender, bluebells, hollyhocks, painted daisies, and irises, to name a few of the plants. "We have a lot of renovation coming up on the Lind House," said Koch, "The Lind House is like any home -- there's always upkeep to do." The Lind House Association received a $5,000 grant from the Minnesota Historical Society to help with upcoming renovation for the house. Redoing the turret on the house is estimated to cost $15,000 to $20,000. Gutters in the whole house need to be replaced. "We still need the support of the people in the community," said Koch. The house has been used frequently for showers, weddings and other community gatherings, Koch said. The Lind House annual dinner will be Friday, Sept. 24, 1999 at Turner Hall and tickets will be sold for $15. The theme for the dinner this year is "Thanks for the Memories." The Lind House board members are asking anyone with any old photos or memorabilia of the Lind House to contact them: 354-8802.
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