McCoy Farm & Gardens Newsletter

Volume Ten: Issue Sevenxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx July 2025

Throwback to 2016: Newsletter Debut

As we celebrate the tenth anniversary of McCoy's nonprofit operation, we are reflecting on the early days of this remarkable community effort. When the newsletter debuted in July 2016, we were just getting started — sharing stories, updates, and events with our supportive community for the very first time. One of the highlights in that inaugural issue? A good old-fashioned square dance that brought friends and neighbors together for a night of fun, laughter, and toe-tapping music. We also congratulated a happy newlywed couple in this first issue. In 2025, 26 couples will say "I do" at McCoy.

It’s amazing to look back and see how far we’ve come. From square dancing in the pavilion to countless picnics, weddings, weed wrangles, house tours, and volunteer days, McCoy has evolved into a beloved gathering place for our community, offering recreation, education, and a venue for celebrations.

As we celebrate 10 incredible years at McCoy Farm & Gardens, we’re filled with gratitude for everyone who has helped preserve this beautiful place and keep its history alive. Here’s to a decade of memories — and to many more to come!

McCoy Farm & Gardens' first newsletter, July 2016

McCoy Needs You!

Join Our Rose Care Team

No flowers at McCoy are as universally recognizable as our roses. In her 2021 oral history recording, the late Elizabeth Akins recounts the fragrant pink and red roses that Martha McCoy herself grew near the house. Longtime McCoy volunteer Bob Robbins, who trained under the rosarian who installed the rose gardens at the Carter Library and the M.L. King Gardens, is eager to share his extensive knowledge with other volunteers on the McCoy Rose Care Team. If you are a rose enthusiast or would like to learn more about growing roses, please contact info@mccoywalden.org to join this vital group.

The Newsletter Team Needs Help Sharing the Stories of McCoy

Do you love telling stories, taking photos, or sharing what’s happening in our community? McCoy Farm & Gardens is looking for volunteers to help bring our newsletter to life! 

Our newsletter keeps friends and neighbors informed about events, history, volunteer opportunities, and the beauty of McCoy throughout the seasons. Whether you enjoy writing short articles, snapping photos at events, designing layouts, or gathering stories from other volunteers, we’d love to have your help. 

No experience needed — just your enthusiasm and a love for McCoy.

We’ll work together to highlight all the wonderful people and projects that make McCoy Farm & Gardens such a special place. 

If you’d like to join our newsletter team or learn more, please reach out to Juanita Wade at editor@mccoywalden.org. We’d love to welcome you aboard!

Volunteer Chris Knight, representing Furman University

Chris Knight first heard about McCoy Farm & Gardens from his mother, Sarah Goza. Like many Signal Mountain residents, she enjoys walking the grounds and told him about the internship program. Chris applied for the summer 2024 session and was accepted.

“I wanted to work for McCoy because I was considering studying environmental science at the time,” Chris shares. “McCoy is a perfect place to learn about the different challenges facing plants and animals in our region. I was also intrigued by the history of old Signal Mountain, when it was mostly a summer town. I draw a connection from that to my family — I grew up spending Christmases visiting my grandparents in Massachusetts in their home built in the mid-1600s. That house has been in my family since it was built, so I’ve been inspired by the value found in old homes since my youth. I also love the Signal Mountain community and want to contribute to the places that make it so special.”

Chris's motivation to return to McCoy in 2025 as a volunteer comes from a deep sense of gratitude. “So many things have gone right for me to be in the situation I’m in today,” he says. “I’m blessed to live in such a beautiful place that inspires me to treat my surroundings with care. I’ve also been fortunate to run long distance for Furman University on a scholarship. My dedication to athletics takes a lot of time and energy, but my scholarship allows me to focus on running. I still find myself with free time during the summer, and giving that time to McCoy is really satisfying.”

Another key reason he keeps coming back is the people: “I love working with people who are dedicated to what they do, and the volunteers at McCoy are dedicated. It’s hard work, but the drive to better McCoy is contagious.”

Chris encourages others to get involved, too. “The towns of Walden and Signal Mountain are lucky to have McCoy. Keeping the Farm looking as good as it does is not easy — it survives on donations and the efforts of volunteers. If everyone pitches in, the work becomes much easier. The second reason is that it’s fun! The work is challenging but rewarding, and the people you meet while volunteering are amazing. People should strive to serve their entire lives, and for members of our community, there’s no better place to start than McCoy.”

Celebrate 10 Years at McCoy- Help Us Grow!

For a decade, this historic treasure has thrived thanks to the community's generous support. Now, we’re inviting local businesses, artisans, and neighbors to join us in celebrating this milestone by donating goods or services to our 10th Anniversary Silent Auction. 

Your donation will directly support the preservation and enhancement of McCoy’s beautiful grounds, historic buildings, and beloved community programs. It’s also a wonderful way to showcase your business or craft to the thousands of supporters who receive our newsletter and follow us on social media and who also share a passion for local heritage and nature. 

How You Can Help: 

We welcome donations of gift certificates, unique experiences, handcrafted items, professional services, or special products — anything that reflects the best of what your business has to offer. 

Let’s make this a celebration to remember — together! 

If you’d like to contribute, please contact Melissa Nimon at info@mccoywalden.org or 423-598-1658. Donations are tax-deductible, and all donors will be recognized in our event materials. 

Thank you for helping McCoy Farm & Gardens continue to bloom for another ten years and beyond.

What's Coming Up

Grounds Committee Work Sessions

Tuesdays from 6:00-7:30 pm

Maintaining almost 2.5 miles of trails and 38 acres is a big but rewarding task. We invite you to join the team, which will meet at the Welcome Station at the Horse Ring gravel parking lot. For more information, as well as the location of the grounds team on a specific workday, contact Beth Myers at 330-256-1472.

Photo credit: Jeremy Rardin

Bachman-McCoy House Open

Sunday, July 13, 2:00-4:00 pm

Come hear the many stories of McCoy and restock your local honey supply.

Kite Building Workshop



Saturday, July 12, 10:00 am-noon.

Join kite expert Chuck Jones and learn to build and fly your own kite.

Scenes from the first kite workshop on July 3.

TV Tables: Antique & Vintage China Luncheon & Auction

Thursday, September 25

Mark your calendar now for a very special luncheon featuring display tables of antique and vintage china themed on popular television shows of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. A link for ticket purchases will be available in the August newsletter and under Community Events on the McCoy website.

Contact McCoy Farm & Gardens

at katie@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 is grateful to our Annual Sponsors, whose support allows the continued restoration and improvement of the property and buildings, as well as the expansion of McCoy's programming. If you are interested in more information about becoming an Annual Sponsor, please check out our Partners page on our website or contact the office at 423-598-1658.

McCoy Farm & Gardens encompasses 38 acres and features the Bachman-McCoy home, gardens, and several outbuildings, including the Pavilion, Carriage House, Barn, and Blacksmith Workshop. Our Level 2 Arboretum contains 72 species. With over 2 miles of trails, the grounds also include the site of the former home of artist, poet, and naturalist Emma Bell Miles.