NORTH VERNON — In spite of the pandemic, the show will go on.
The 2020 Jennings County Historical Society Town and Country Tour of Gardens and Historical Sites will take place next weekend.
“This year has been difficult for everyone and we think this is an important thing to do for the community,” said Chris Asher, The Director of the Jennings County Historical Society Museum. “The flowers this year are just exceptionally beautiful. The gardens are beautiful and expansive and there will be plenty of room for people to roam around. “
Asher added that while wearing masks is encouraged during the tour, they’re not required.
“The homes included in the tour are large enough that it will be possible to maintain social distancing,” Asher said.
Last year, Daniel Smith purchased a home built in 1883 by the son of the founder of North Vernon. Smith has remodeled and refurnished the 12-room Victorian home that sits on the corner of College and Jennings streets in North Vernon. The newly remodeled kitchen is an anticipated high-point of the tour.
Gene and Angie Rudicel will also open their home to participants of this year’s tour.
Located on State Street in North Vernon, the Rudicel’s neo-Jacobean home was built in 1885 and has many unique features. A restored 1914 horse-drawn funeral carriage enclosed in a glass enclosed gazebo in the yard will also be an interesting feature of the Rudicel’s property.
Reverend Steve and Judy Malone will share their 1840-built home with visitors during this year’s tour.
The Malone’s unique home and out-buildings in Vernon display many artifacts of local history. Their gardens include a prayer garden, a wisteria pergola, fenced herb garden, fish pond, frog pond, French potager and a huge variety of flowers and roses.
During the 2016 statewide bicentennial celebration, Don and Anita Biehle’s barn was designated as one of only 200 Bicentennial Barns in Indiana. Constructed in 1925, the Biehle’s purchased the barn in 1991 and worked for nearly 25 years to restore and remodel the barn for a variety of uses. The barn and surrounding landscaped grounds will be open to participants of the tour.
The extensive garden of Tina and Bob Ellis will hold a proud corner of the tour. An arbor leading into a prayer garden and the many varieties of flowers are highlights of the garden.
The Barb Cooley Garden and the adjacent tiny Victorian House next to the North American House on Brown Street in Vernon will be available for visits during the tour.
Tickets for the tour will be $15 each and will include a bag lunch of a chicken salad sandwich, chips, cookies and bottled water.
Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 812-346-8989 or by visiting the museum at 134 Brown Street in Vernon. Tickets will also be available at the door on Saturday and Sunday.
The tours will begin at the Jennings County Historical Museum and the hours will be between 10 a.m and 5 p.m. on Saturday and between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday.
