McCoy Farm & Gardens Newsletter

Volume Nine: Issue Two xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx February 2024

Important Dates Coming Up

• Next Open Houses, Saturday, February 10, Sunday, February 11, and Sunday, March 10, 2-4 pm (See article below about the Docent program).
• Front driveway work days, Saturday, February 3 and 24, 9 am (see article below).
• Apple Orchard work day, Saturday, February 17, 9 am (see article below).
• Weed Wrangle, Saturday, March 2, 9 am-noon (more info below).
• Egg Roll, Sunday, March 24, 2-4 pm, including the inaugural McCoy Mutts Easter Parade at 3:45 pm. Stay tuned for details in the March newsletter.

Docents Discuss Perspectives

McCoy Farm & Gardens began a docent program in the Fall of 2023 to train volunteers to share with visitors the rich history of Walden's Ridge, McCoy Farm & Gardens, and the people who called it home. Docents host open houses that are free and open to visitors on the 2nd Sunday of each month and some additional days, all of which are posted on the McCoy Farm & Gardens website.  

McCoy's docent team is a vibrant group of volunteers, and this month the spotlight is on three of those volunteers: Leah Conner, Margha Davis, and Ginny Gaines. Leah, Margha, and Ginnie all agree that serving as a docent gives them a chance to learn something new each time they volunteer. Here's what they had to say about being a McCoy docent:

Leah Conner

Q: Why did you volunteer 

to become a McCoy Farm & Gardens docent:

A:  I love the gift of McCoy to the residents of the mountain and beyond. I was looking for a way to be involved and signed up online. I am not a great gardener, but I do love people and felt like this would be a way to learn more about the history of the property and share that information with others. 

Q: What do you like best about being a docent?

A: The interaction with those that visit. My experience is limited but in one day I shared some interesting features of the house and grounds with three precious, home-schooled children and their mo. I listened to fascinating stories from an older woman who had spent time in the house, and I helped someone complete their Christmas shopping from the wonderful offerings in the gift shop!  

Q: What has surprised you the most in learning about the history of Walden's Ridge and the Bachman/McCoy family?

A: Living on Signal Mountain, I was familiar with the Bachman name but was amazed at the history of the family. Jonathan Bachman's tenure at First Presbyterian Church came as a surprise as did his son Nathan's attendance at Baylor and the University of Chattanooga. 

   I was surprised by the connection that artist Emma Bell Miles made with Pearl Bachman over the painting she did of the farm. Digging into the history that she had with the property and Chattanooga was so interesting to me. Her paintings featured through the house are so helpful to visualize what mountain life looked like in those days. 

   I love that Nathan and Pearl's daughter, Martha Bachman McCoy, raised her daughter and stayed on the property after her husband died. Her gift to the Town of Walden upon her death in 2004 was so amazing, and I appreciate so much that Walden has taken pains to preserve and keep it as a beautiful "park and arboretum" just as she wanted. 

Q: If someone was considering becoming a McCoy Farm & Gardens docent, what would you tell them?

A:  It is a great way to learn about historical events that happened right here! Plus, it is so nice to enjoy an idyllic setting that is peaceful and removed from the hustle of the mountain. Melissa Nimon and the McCoy board members have everything in place to teach you about every aspect of the history of the house, outer buildings and gardens.  

Margha Davis

Q:  Why did you volunteer to be a McCoy docent? 

A:  I am very fond of the property and wanted to share my appreciation of it with others.

Q: What has surprised you the most in learning about the history Walden's Ridge and McCoy/Bachman family? 

A: I was interested to learn that the Bachman/McCoy family had a wonderful love of trees -- going all the way back to Jonathan Bachman. The McCoy Board has continued this legacy by planting additional trees. The property recently was certified as a Level 2 arboretum (only 18 total in Tennessee) and there are now 72 species of trees on the grounds.

Q: If someone was considering becoming a McCoy docent and asked you what it's like, what would you tell them? 

A: If you enjoy interacting with people, love the history of the area, and appreciate the value of the McCoy property to the region, then do consider becoming a docent.  

In February, open houses will be held on Saturday, February 10, from 2 pm to 4 pm and Sunday, February 11, from 2 pm to 4 pm.

Come to an open house and see what you can learn from our docents!

Ginny Gaines

Q:  Why did you volunteer to be a McCoy docent? 

A: I volunteered because for 44 years, being on this mountain, I was always fascinated by the house hidden down that long driveway of trees and shrubs obstructing my view. I always wanted to go and visit and have tea and scones on the porch, but of course, I didn't know who lived there. Now the driveway is open, I know who lived there, and I get to talk to visitors about this lovely farm, and I've actually had tea and scones on the porch with friends.  

Q: What has surprised you the most in learning about the history of Walden's Ridge and McCoy/Bachman family? 

A. The rich history of a family that kept old traditions alive, but also wanted to have a viable useful place for future generations to enjoy. I've so enjoyed reading how McCoy played a role in the Civil War on Walden's Ridge. And I so enjoyed learning about the rich history of Native Americans, and the true old pioneers of Walden's Ridge. This mountain was a useful beautiful place for many different people for over 10,000 years. 

Q: If someone was considering becoming a McCoy docent and asked you what it's like, what would you tell them? 

A: For someone considering becoming a docent, this is the perfect place. Once I set foot on the grounds, I forget my troubles, anticipate meeting a new friend, and feel a little like I've stepped back in time and can enjoy a couple of hours of true feelings of the early McCoy Farm. 

Interested in becoming a McCoy Farm & Gardens docent? 

The next orientation will be held in April. Contact Anne Hayes Pearce at volunteers@

mccoywalden.org or 706-575-1620.

Front Drive Refurbishment Continues

A memorial established in memory of Joe Robbins, Sr. is funding landscaping of the front driveway from Anderson Pike to the house. Bed preparation for oak leaf hydrangeas began in the fall and continues on Saturdays in February.

Join the team led by Beth Myers, Audrey Workman, and Andy Jones who are working on this gratifying and important restoration project. Contact Beth at bethmyers05@yahoo.com. The next work days are Feb. 3 and Feb. 24 at 9 am.

Apple Orchard Workday Rescheduled

The Apple Orchard Team is a hardy bunch known for pruning in the nearly freezing weather while the trees are dormant in January. However, they were no match for the recent ice. Winter Apple Tree Care has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 17 at 9:00 am.

If you are interested in helping with the apple trees, please join us in the orchard. Call Karen Stone at 423-886-4568 or email karenstone@waldenhouse.com for more information. If you have no experience but would like to learn about caring for very old apple trees, you are welcome. Please wear work gloves and come dressed appropriately for the weather.

The Animals Who Love McCoy

Almost everyone who visits McCoy Farm & Gardens finds many animals seem to enjoy the grounds. Of course, dogs of all types and sizes walk the trails or grounds, and birds abound -- over 130 species have been identified. Deer are particularly fond of the safety of the thickets and the meadows where they can find grass and apples in season. Raccoons, squirrels, chipmunks, groundhogs, snakes, birds, bees, and more call McCoy home. The black bear who visited last year became quite famous.

We are very grateful to Dr. Blair Cornman and the staff at Signal Mountain Animal Hospital for their help with the occasional stray at McCoy.

We hope you will enjoy these snapshots of some of our visitors. The bear drawings are courtesy of Tina Hullender of Art Creations. She plans booths at the McCoy Egg Roll and Memorial Day picnic.

Evan, Courtney, and Lauren Malone walking the trail with their dog, Hal

The famous bear visit of 2023 is depicted in Tina Hullender's watercolor

The bear exploring the McCoy gardens

A deer grazes in the orchard

A cat explores the barn

Squirrel in an icy pine tree

Bright scarlet tanager

Handsome barred owl

Turtles at the boardwalk

Monarch caterpillar on milkweed

Monarch butterflies

A special pollinator

Newsletter Volunteers Needed

Do you love to write? Are you looking for a creative outlet for your graphic design or desktop publishing skills? Looking for a fun way to earn volunteer hours and experience? 

Then come join the newsletter team at McCoy Farm & Gardens! We need volunteers to interview people about projects and events at McCoy and transform those interviews into articles for our newsletter. 

We also need a volunteer (or two) with experience in desktop publishing software to design and produce the newsletter each month (experience in Constant Contact is a plus). Responsible junior volunteers welcome (16+).

Contact Karen Stone newsletter@mccoywalden.org 

to express an interest.

At McCoy Farm & Gardens

On Saturday, March 2, join other volunteers to learn about invasive plants, why they are harmful to the health of our forests, and how to remove them.

Meet at the parking lot at 9 am. We'll be working near the front driveway. Please bring gloves, water, hand pruners or loppers, and wear sturdy clothing and closed-toe shoes.

Contact Riki-Lynne Willmon for more information at rikilynne@gmail.com.

Contact McCoy Farm & Gardens

at rob@mccoywalden.org

to learn more about renting space at McCoy for your next event.

Or mail your check to McCoy Farm & Gardens, P.O. Box 443, Signal Mountain, TN 37377

McCoy Farm & Gardens covers 38 acres and features the Bachman-McCoy home, gardens, and several outbuildings including the Pavilion, Carriage House, Barn, and Blacksmith Workshop. The perimeter walking trail is 1.1 miles.