In honor of our 20th Anniversary, the Historical Society of Islip Hamlet held a Secret Gardens of Islip - Garden Walk on Saturday, July 14th.  The weather was sunny and pleasant as ticket holders visited the gardens of society board members and friends. 

The Berger garden is a mixture of European garden courts, rustic natural environments, and wetlands marsh; the property is also a Certified Natural Wildlife Habitat. 

The Cole garden is a mix of distinctly different gardening styles; she loves the floral abundance of the Victorian cottage garden with colorful flower beds and he appreciates a lush green tranquility of tropical rainforests with koi ponds, fountains and waterfalls create the soothing sound of falling water. 

The Holwell garden is a wonderful example of what can be done with a small space.  They've included a variety of plants that will bloom or have attractive foliage at different times of the year. 

The Vanasco garden was once part of a larger parcel of land; the original owners, Willa and Howard Plank, were avid gardeners.  Mrs. Plank was the gardening editor for the Women's Home Companion.  The present garden still retains its original style, that of a European country home. 

After Suffolk County purchased the former Scully Estate they entered into an agreement with the Seatuck Environmental Association to establish an environmental education center at the estate.  The facility opened to the public on Earth Day 2010.  The landscape offers walking trails, indigenous plants and a peaceful natural beauty.

The society would like to thank the homeowners, Garden Walk guides, Carolines Flower Shoppe and Seatuck Environmental Association (Wereholme) as well as all those who purchased tickets in helping us celebrate 20 years.
The Gardens
Susan Hantz-West
Est. 1992 Historical Society of Islip Hamlet