The Antique Gardens are located about one half block down the river
from the River's Edge Cafe.
They are located in a flat sunny field next to the River's
Edge Antiques, and contain a plant collection of over 50 perennial
types. The perennial beds are primarily the work of Alan Kettler, Director
of the Gardens. Other beds, such as the kitchen garden, which supplies
herbs and edible nasturtium flowers to the cafe kitchen, are the work
of Anna Marie Yakubisin. The perennial beds are about five years old
and underwent major expansion this year in our efforts to increase the
number and diversity of plants in our collection. Some of the perennials
are almost ten years old thanks to a major plant rescue we did at a
nearby resort, where Mr. Kettler had planted a series of perennial gardens
that were used as a backdrop for outdoor weddings at the resort. The
Antique Gardens are a stone's throw from the river and we are only one
minute from the Great Allegheny Passage
bike trail, which you can see across the river from the gardens.
Some of our most exciting plants are the native perrenials,
in particular, cup plant and Joe-Pye Weed, because of their huge size,
and coreopsis, because of its long bloom period. We also have a small
collection of potted hostas and want to plant more as we are able
to purchase more pots. Our primary intereest in funding
and donations currently is our desire to add more pots and potted
plants to the gardens.We are thrilled to have a resident family of
mallards - mother duck and her 11 ducklings, which show up daily for
breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They won't be able to fly until September
so they will be around for a while.
The building provides a rustic backdrop to the gardens.
It is a red terra-cotta brick building, vintage early 20th century
industrial style loft/warehouse with high ceilings, exposed wooden
diagonal trusses, and lovely antique wooden floors upstairs. Originally
the building was a sawmill, then a FORD body shop, then a sewing factory
for a local whitewater clothing manufacturer, until a new owner bought
and renovated the entire building, when the antique store opened.
The residence and offices of Mr. Kettler are located in the building.
One office is the garden office and the other office is used as a
pottery museum, while
both spaces are used as design and display studios for Mr.
Kettler's work.
