Spring at Kingwood Center

Hello Everyone,
I want to share some photos with you that I took yesterday at Kingwood Center, which is a 47-acre public estate/gardens in Mansfield, Ohio. This was my third time visiting. I was there in the fall, and posted about it, which you can find HERE, and then again at Christmastime HERE. Each season is spectacular! Kingwood Center was once a private residence, built in 1926 by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kelley King. Mr. and Mrs. King, who never had children, left their estate to a private foundation, and it was opened to the public in 1953. Mr. King made his fortune working with the Ohio Brass Company.

Until next time,

Cindy

Linking to: Pink Saturday on How Sweet the Sound

               Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

                                Outdoor Wednesday at A Southern Daydreamer

                                      

Autumn Reflections 2011 ~

Autumn is fading fast in northwest Ohio. Most of the trees are bare, it's cold and windy and we even had a few snow flurries today. It was "spittin' snow" as my Mom would say. The holidays are fast approaching and some are starting to decorate for Christmas. I'm not quite ready to let go of fall though, and want to hang on just a little bit longer...so here's to autumn 2011!

Collage photos taken at Forrest Nature Preserve in northwest Ohio and the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center in Fremont, Ohio.

Kingwood Center in Mansfield, Ohio

Indian Mill in Wyandot County, Ohio

Until next time, have a wonderful weekend!
Cindy

Linking to Outdoor Wednesday at A Southern Daydreamer

Kingwood Center ~

Kingwood Center is a 47-acre public garden/estate located in Mansfield, Ohio. At one time, it was a private residence. My sister and I have been planning a visit since spring (when it's most well-known for its' lavish display of tulips and other spring blooms.) So, finally this past week we went...it was overcast and rainy, but it didn't dampen our fun at all. In fact, it was nice seeing it for the first time in the "off season," because there were no crowds.  I can't believe I've lived in Ohio for years and had never seen this gem!

The lane leading into Kingwood Center

Built in 1926 by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kelley King, Kingwood Center was opened to the public in 1953. Mr. and Mrs. King never had children, and most of their estate was left to the private foundation that continues to operate Kingwood Center today. Mr. King made his fortune working with the Ohio Brass Company.

The gardens at Kingwood Center include a spectacular spring display of tulips, crocus, daffodils, redbuds, dogwoods and magnolias. In summer, this transitions into annuals, peonies, iris, daylilies, herbs, roses, a shady woodland garden and much, much more. They also have a greenhouse of tropical flowers and  succulents. This time of year, there weren't many flowers in bloom, of course, but the autumn colors were gorgeous! There's also an array of winding paths and curving stairways, stone walls the enclose hidden gardens, statuary, ponds and fountains, and benches to sit and relax.

Just a few of the statues in the various gardens at the estate.

A view of the back of the mansion from one of the gardens.

Until next time, I hope you've enjoyed this tour of Kingwood Center! To visit their website, click HERE.

Cindy

Pink Roses ~

It's time for another Pink Saturday with Beverly on How Sweet the Sound! This week went by so fast! I'm sharing photos of pink roses that I took when my sister and I visited Kingwood Center in Mansfield, Ohio this week. I'm doing another post about it later with more photos of the estate and gardens, but thought these would be perfect for Pink Saturday. I was a little surprised that so many roses were still in bloom - although we haven't yet had a hard frost. I hope you enjoy the roses! Happy Pink Saturday!

These blush pink roses, like in the above photo, are my all time favorites ~ so old-fashioned looking and romantic!

For more pinks, click HERE for Pink Saturday on How Sweet the Sound.