Cumberland Garden Club Presents Tour of Celebrations

The Garden Club 2026 Tour of Celebrations is in conjunction with America’s 250th birthday celebration. Visitors this year can expect to see an abundance of red, white, and blue patriotic themes displayed throughout each garden. Another milestone to celebrate is the recognition of the Garden Club of Cumberland being organized and federated 70 years ago, in 1956. The club sponsored it’s first garden tour in 1996, 30 years of successful tours! The Garden Club of Cumberland garden tour takes place on Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event showcases beautiful local gardens throughout the Cumberland and Allegany County. Tickets are available for $6.00 per person

In 2015, Jeffrey and Katie Morris , at 506 Fayette Street, purchased what they described as a “run down home and property project.” Small cherry trees and lavender planted near the street welcomes guests. Outlining the front and sides of the property the owners have created a large fenced in garden with wildflowers grown from seeds. Peonies and zinnias are added in this area. The newest addition is a kidney shaped bed planted with wave petunias. It is evident that the owners have a love for Japanese Maple trees as there are many planted on the property. A small hot house is used for sheltering tender plants, a lemon Myer tree and a citrus tree until warmer weather arrives. A unique fire pit area and overhead lighting adds beauty and interest to this lovely property. It is evident that the owners have continuing projects.

At the home of Arnie and Debbie Courtney, 401 Sunset Drive, visitors will be greeted by a lush green lawn with a multitude of shrubbery and flowers outlining the front of the lovely home. Large planters filled with annuals are displayed on both sides of the driveway. A fenced back yard displays magnificent beauty. This large area has been landscaped with terraced paths leading to unusual plantings of shrubbery, trees, perennials and annuals. Just outside the fenced area a new addition has been added. Plantings of perennials, small shrubbery and annuals beautify this area. Raffles will be available on the backyard patio area.

The Gilchrist Gallery and Museum, 104 Washington St., will feature plants for sale, boutique items and crafts for sale. Master gardeners will be available for questions and planting advice. Refreshments will be available inside the gallery. Visitors may view the art exhibitions by two Pennsylvania-based artists James Barefoot and Casey Beal.

Postal Store Plus Fed Ex, located at 614 N. Centre Street, Cumberland, has been transformed during the past 4 years when owners Perry and Brenda Ford moved from Delaware to Cumberland. Prior to the Fords relocation there were no gardens at this location- “just a bunch of weeds, overgrown trees, shrubbery, vines, poison ivy and trash Perry stated. The Fords have created gardens using distressed plants, plants purchased on sale or given to them from friends and neighbors or by dividing what they already have growing. A new section has been added each year. Annuals, perennials, shrubbery and unusual plants are displayed in the gardens. Perry loves gardening because he says it is “therapeutic, a stress reducer, and a connection to earth.”

Gary Davidson has lived at 1721 Bedford Street for 47 years. He admits that “the best thing about living in Cumberland is the beauty of his neighborhood.” The driveway is outlined with lilies and iris. A small res bud tree with a “braided trunk” is unique! White and pink peonies create beauty in the front yard. Large planters filled with a variety on annuals add beauty to the front entrance.