The Heritage Rose
Garden
at the Lake Mansion |
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On May 9, 1868 - Reno, formerly Lake’s Crossing, was “born”
when 200 lots were
auctioned to the highest bidder! |
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| Before this sale, a small settlement called Lake's Crossing
existed at Lake's
Bridge over the Truckee River. In 1879 Myron Lake purchased the
Mansion from J.W. Marsh who had built it in 1877 near the river
crossing. Myron and Jane Lake and their descendants lived in the
mansion for many years. During this time, roses were planted
around
the mansion and can be seen in the yard, climbing up the
railings and columns on the Mansion in this 1890 photograph. |
|
After 1971, the Mansion was
moved several times before being returned to
its present location which is near the original river crossing.
In
2006, old garden rose lovers in the Reno Rose Society proposed creating
a
Heritage Rose Garden on the eastern side of the Mansion.
Mary Ellen Moran, executive director of VSA arts of Nevada, obtained
approval for the rose garden which would include roses that were known
to have been planted in the area around and before 1900. Reno
Rose Society members Ann Marie Harris and Peggy McGraw were
instrumental in starting the garden and are the primary caregivers
today. Ann Marie Harris searched old publications, diaries, and
letters to create a list of roses which would have been grown locally
during the early years of the Mansion. Peggy McGraw additionally
contributed to the garden effort by
creating a list of other garden plants that were grown locally during
the same time period. Thanks to her efforts, the rose garden is
bounded on the west side by liliacs, another favorite of early
settlers.
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Before
landscaping at Mansion's new location at Flint Street.
(photograph courtesy of VSA arts)
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Initial
planting was done in July 2007 by RRS members Ann Marie & Richard
Harris, Rebecca Geishaker-Chlebus, and Nancy Helsel with other friends
of the RRS.
(photograph by Richard Harris)
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Roses selected for the garden
include the following fragrant roses:
|
Name
|
Date
|
Class
|
Characteristics
|
| (Mlle) Cecile Brunner |
1881
|
polyantha |
pink 3 ft tall upright |
Baron Girod de L'Ain
|
1897
|
hybrid perpetual |
red, 3-4 ft tall
|
Barrone Prevost
|
1842
|
hybrid perpetual |
pink 4-5 ft tall
|
Louis Odier
|
1851
|
bourbon |
light pink 4-5 ft tall |
Perle d'Or
|
1884
|
polyantha |
yellow blend 4-8 ft tall
|
| Souvenir de la Malmaison |
1846
|
bourbon
|
light pink 2-3 ft tall
|
Reine Victoria
|
1872
|
bourbon |
medium pink 4-7 ft
tall |
Salet
|
1854
|
moss
|
medium pink double 4-5 ft
tall |
Mrs John Laing
|
1887
|
hybrid perpetual |
pink 6-8 ft tall
|
La Marne
|
1915
|
polyantha |
light pink 4-6 ft tall
|
Sombreuil
|
1850
|
large-flowered climber
|
white, 8-13 ft pillar |
Archduke Charles
|
<1837
|
hybrid China |
red blend, 3-5 ft tall
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All of the roses selected are repeat blooming which was not that common
then. Mostly non-repeat blooming roses
were grown in our area around 1900. Some are still available
today, and many can be seen in
older parts of Reno. Some of these non-repeating roses include
Harrison's
Yellow, Austrian Copper, Cardinal de Richelieu, Aimee Vibert, Lamarque,
Rose de Rescht, Old Blush, and Duchesse de Brabant. Only a few of
the older roses are currently being sold by nurseries in our
area, which include Cecile Brunner, Barrone Prevost, Louis Odier,
Austrian Copper, and Harrison's Yellow. The others are available
by mail order or from rose specialty nurseries in California and
Oregon.
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If you are interested in helping
with the Heritage Rose Garden, please contact the Reno Rose Society.
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The Lake Mansion and VSA arts
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MARK
YOUR 2008 CALENDAR FOR THESE VSA Arts EVENTS!
September
15-26 "Through the Eyes of Jerry Sleight"
exhibit and sale at the Lake Mansion
September
20, 2-5 PM Merchants' Wine Walk (CA wines)
October
18, 2-5 PM Wine Walk (South African wines)
November
13-22 "Holiday Art Mart" at the Lake Mansion
November
15, 2-5 PM Merchants' Wine Walk (French wines)
November
22 "The Lake Mansion Jingles with Art &
History"
December 20, 2-5 PM
Merchants' Wine Walk
(Sparkling wines)
Note --- Lake Mansion
admission, tours and
parking are free.
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RIVERWALK
MERCHANTS' WINE WALK
Start
YOUR Wine Walk with VSA Arts of
Nevada at the Lake Mansion on the corner of Court Street and Arlington
Avenue,
100 steps south of the Truckee River. Support arts for ALL abilities,
education
and history all in one place. Check out the lovely Rose
Garden supported by the Reno Rose Society in the
Lake Mansion Garden, Flint Street
side. If you start your Wine Walk at the Lake
Mansion, $5 of the $20 price will be used to provide additional arts
programs
for ALL and to help maintain the Lake Mansion built in 1877. You
will receive a one-of-a-kind
painted glass, identification wristband, an Italian wine taste, snacks, and a map to 20-plus "eat, drink, shop and
enjoy" participating merchants. Information: 826-6100,
www.vsanevada.org |
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Contact
Information for VSA arts and the Lake Mansion
Mary Ellen
Horan, Executive
Director
VSA Arts of
Nevada
at the
Lake
Mansion
,
since
1986, a non-profit organization
providing
arts opportunities for ALL Nevadans
250 Court
Street (at
Arlington Avenue ), Reno, N
V
89501
Voice/TTY:
775-826-6100
Fax:
775-337-6107
e-mail: meh@vsanevada.org
website VSA
arts of
Nevada
: www.vsanevada.org
website
Lake
Mansion
: www.lakemansion.com
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