Join us on May 31, 2025 for a fascinating lecture and slideshow by local historian Eileen Fitzsimons!

Discover Elk Rock Garden's remarkable story and the influential figures who shaped it, including businessman Peter Kerr who developed the garden over several decades, with advice from John C. Olmsted of the renowned Olmsted Brothers landscape firm, architects Ellis Lawrence and William Holford, and expert plantsman Emanuel Mische.

Your $75 ticket includes a lecture featuring rarely-seen historic photos of the early days of Elk Rock Garden, a lively Q&A, a guided tour of the manor house, and refreshments and sweet treats served in the garden.

ONLY 50 SPOTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THIS RARE OPPORTUNITY! All proceeds support restoration of this beloved historic property.

Check-in begins at 1:30 pm, with the lecture beginning at 2 pm.

Our address is 11800 S. Military Lane, Portland, Oregon, 97219.

About Eileen Fitzsimons: Eileen Fitzsimons is public historian who has written about local history for The Bee newspaper for over 20 years. Both a lifelong gardener and a member of the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon since 1985, Eileen has led walking tours, written National Register nominations, and is the author of several entries in the Oregon Encyclopedia, including entries about Peter Kerr and Elk Rock Garden.

About Elk Rock Garden: Our mission is to conserve, restore and enhance the Elk Rock Garden property to serve as a nationally recognized historic garden and center for learning, where partner nonprofit organizations and gardening enthusiasts of all backgrounds can meet and collaborate on nature-based solutions that improve the health and beauty of cities. We believe in the value of garden landscapes to inspire joy, offer peaceful enjoyment, and promote biodiversity and climate-resilience. Donations to support these efforts, and the restoration of our historic property, are encouraged and appreciated. The Elk Rock Garden Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, and donations are tax-deductible. More information is available on our website at elkrockgarden.org.

The Legacy of Elk Rock Garden: A Century of Horticultural History

A Lecture and House Tour Benefitting Elk Rock Garden