Members You Need to Meet

History Park - Price House

December, 2009

Please visit the History Park  on Shreve just north of Henry.  A new sidewalk approaching the porch of the Price House is under construction.  The gardens are crisp and beautiful, and the added attraction on your visit is the nesting eagles on the Henry Street side of the park.

Just a reminder that workers and donations of money or useful garden items are welcome.  Call 941-380-0993.

From December12-19th from 5-9p.m., the Price House (The Old Bed & Breakfast) will be decorated with “Christmas in the 40’s” by the Punta Gorda Historical Society. All proceeds benefit the completion of the Price House. Please enjoy the historical Christmas right here in your backyard.  For more information call 639-1887.

Our last article on the volunteers of the History Park is about two men who help Richard Polk behind the scenes.  Bill Webb and John Miller are Richard’s right hand men. They build sidewalks, redo sprinkler systems, build lattice work around foundations and basically do all the carpentry and maintenance work that keeps the park looking crisp.  Faithfully, they arrive every Friday morning to take on Richard’s challenges. Gardening and trimming trees are other chores they do to make the park look tidy. These two men staunchly appear early every Friday morning whatever the weather to work many hours.  Thanks for all your hard work.  It sure shows with all the improvements this year!

History Park - Volunteers

November, 2009

Last month we introduce you to Richard Polk who heads up the care for most of the gardens at the history park at the corner of Henry and Shreve Streets.  Well, this month we need to introduce you to some of his army of volunteers that spend hours in heat, rain or whatever the weather brings to weed, water, plant, and “de-fire ant” the gardens.

Our first volunteer is Peggy Jensen.  On Friday work day, she is the first one there and the last to leave even in the summer heat. Each volunteer has an area to tend weekly, but Peggy has a wide range of gardening skills that makes her the “overseerer” for all the beds.  She makes sure volunteers tend their plots and sees that each bed has color and coordinated plants.

The next volunteer is Helen Cavanaugh. She tends the fountain gardens and the

gardens around and behind the Cigar Cottage and has created the beautiful vining bush to the rear of the Cottage.  Kathy Huelsemann is the next volunteer who also has beds to the north and around the Cigar Cottage. Most of her beds contain the hybridize hibiscuses which Punta Gorda is famous for through the Hibiscus Society.  Even though the volunteers have specific beds, they move about the park and care for beds or plants that need assistance.

A little history about the Cigar Cottage: The El Palmetto Cigar Company flourished briefly in 1890s, and by 1901 it was out of business. The company built these small cottages for employees at Virginia and Cochran Street. They were repurchased and moved.  Mike Nickelson purchased the park’s cottage, moved and donated it to Old Punta Gorda on October 12, 1999.

Many other organizations help maintain the park. The Punta Gorda Garden Club headed by President Carol Biggs maintains the white fenced garden closest to the parking lot. Master gardeners organized and planted a butterfly garden and have worked as consultants for the planting beds.

Next month we will feature the men volunteers and more of the buildings.  Remember Friday is work day! Please help by volunteering.  Donations are welcome. Call or email Richard Polk. 833-4414 or richardpolk@comcast.net.

History Park - Richard Polk

Contributed by: Marlene Hofer
October, 2009

The History Park at 501 Shreve Street, Punta Gorda (or Richard Polk’s Garden) is a gem that you need to stroll through and enjoy  the many beautiful gardens. In May 1994, the Punta Gorda City Council set aside approximately two acres on Shreve Street dedicated to the development of a Historic Relocation Site. The City leases the property to the Historical Society for $1 per year.

Neither the county nor the city contribute funds for the gardens.  Richard’s vision to enhance the historic buildings with gardens started about ten years ago when he was a member of the Lily Club and the Hibiscus Society.  Through these organizations, Richard envisioned a garden to grow lilies and hibiscus.  The first three beds started along Shreve Street, and the Punta Gorda Garden Club maintains the center fenced area in the parking lot. Since Punta Gorda is “The Hibiscus City,” the gardens reflect an assortment of hybridized hibiscus blooming constantly.  A butterfly garden near the Price House was designed by Master Gardeners Ellen Brown and Jane Schurr.

Richard elaborated on the rich history of the park. Ten or so years ago there was a homeless camp toward the back of the property close to where the Price House sits now.  There were tents and laundry lines. The old metal Punta Gorda jail or “Calaboose”  (old cracker  term) was brought over to the property and properly restored.  After Charley, the fountain from the Punta Gorda Hotel was donated by the Historical Society.  The fountain is the focal point of the walkway that leads back to the Price House.

Richard maintains these garden with a small core of volunteers and always needs more volunteers (more on then in the next Commentator),  money donations, and useful garden items.  Richard and his volunteers are dedicated to turning this public park into a jewel for the citizens and visitors of  Punta Gorda.

The main working day and hours are Friday  mornings. Visit the Park and you can pick up information for donations and/or call Richard at 941-380-0993.