McCoy Farm & Gardens Newsletter

Volume Ten: Issue Fivexxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx May 2025

Memorial Day Picnic, May 26

Sea Cadets from SMMHS presenting the colors at the first Memorial Day picnic, May 25, 2015

The Memorial Day picnic returns for the ninth year on Monday, May 26. Gates open at 11:00 am, and the celebration lasts until 3:00 pm. A ceremony honoring our military begins at 11:30 with the presentation of the flag by a local Scout Troop 116 led by Scoutmaster Timothy Knight. Betty Julian and Rebecca Clark will lead the singing of the national anthem. Rev. Margaret Ferguson, chaplain at Alexian Village, will give the invocation. Walden Mayor Lee Davis will extend a welcome to all. 

Highlighting the picnic are hamburgers and hot dogs prepared by the Signal Mt. Lions Club, and new this year, Blue Sky BBQ. Music provided by Paul Hendricks and others will entertain on the front porch. Blacksmith demonstrations are always a crowd pleaser, and Chuck Jones will be offering kite-flying exhibitions in the apple orchard. 

Visit vendors of original artworks, crafts, pottery, jewelry, cosmetics, orchids, natural products, sweet treats, and Signal Mountain swag. Look for McCoy-branded merchandise, beautiful antique china and stemware, artwork by Emma Bell Miles, and birdhouses built by Terry Knox and Audrey Workman. Proceeds from the sale of these products support the programming, maintenance, and restoration of McCoy. 

Educational booths will be presented by Master Gardeners of Hamilton County, Save Signal Mountain’s Hemlocks, Walden’s Ridge Civic League, Warrior Freedom Service Dogs, Trail Life USA, and Waterways. 

For even more fun, volunteer to be a part of the occasion by calling the office at 423-598-1658. Mary Catherine O’Kelley, Annette Wildman, and Anne Leonard are chairing the event with support from the Walden’s Ridge Guild and the Signal Mountain Lions Club. 

Continuing Removal of Invasives

by Taft Highway

If you have walked the McCoy Loop lately as it passes by Taft Highway, you’ve most likely seen the work to clear kudzu and other invasive plants that have taken over the native species in the area. For several hundred yards beginning at the swinging bridge and extending close to the Emma Bell Miles Trail, the kudzu has crept down from the power line right-of-way onto the property. This plant is difficult to remove once it takes over and often kills other plants in its path as it steals nutrients and blocks sunlight from all it covers. Volunteers meet every Tuesday from 5:00-6:30 pm to remove kudzu and other invasive species to keep them from progressing onto the property. 

Andy Jones, board member in charge of grounds, and Beth Myers, board member in charge of volunteers, have led this project. Andy explains that to remove the invasives, they cut the plants to the ground before applying herbicide only onto the cut stumps. “Primarily, we’re trying to remove privet, bittersweet, kudzu, and multiflora rose. We’re leaving everything that’s not one of those invasives, so there are tulip poplars, sweetgum trees, dogwoods, and hollies.” Once this clearing is done, McCoy will begin planting a mixed border with evergreen species and deciduous understory plants next fall, including arborvitae, hollies, and magnolia trees. These trees and shrubs will provide a visual and sound barrier.

This is a multi-year project, and there’s still time to be a part of this important conservation effort. Jones encourages participation and says that, “it’s a lot of fun clearing; the more the merrier. It’s just an hour and a half, so it’s not a big investment of time, but the extra hands really help.” If you’re interested in joining, mark next Tuesday on your calendar or contact Beth Myers at bethmyers05@yahoo.com. McCoy is grateful to the grounds team for making such great progress, especially Tyler Jeffrey, Sherry Newcomb, Jeremy Rardin, and Caroline Woerner.

The McCoy Docents are constantly learning to ensure visitors leave with not only historical knowledge but also a personal connection to the property. At the March monthly meeting, Executive Director Melissa Nimon led a fascinating tour across the grounds, offering insights into both the natural and historical treasures of the site.

One highlight was a visit to one of the largest tulip poplars on the property—a true living giant that has silently witnessed decades of history. The tour also stopped at the collaborative research site where the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and the American Chestnut Foundation are working together to develop a blight-resistant American Chestnut hybrid. By backcrossing American Chestnut with Chinese Chestnut trees, the hope is to develop a resilient population. Plans are in motion to install fencing around the project area and build a bridge for easier access—an ideal opportunity for a meaningful Eagle Scout or Gold Award project!

Have you ever wondered why there’s such a rich variety of trees on the McCoy property? It all began with a friendly competition between Martha McCoy and her daughter Sally McCoy Garland to plant trees from every continent around their respective homes. This eventually gave rise to what is now recognized as the McCoy Arboretum (with over 70 species) certified by the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council.

Research grounds for UTC and the American Chestnut Foundation.

Volunteer Spotlight-Anne Davis

Originally from South Carolina, Anne Davis moved to Chattanooga 50 years ago—a place further west than she had ever been—when she married her husband, Gary. In 1983, they moved onto Walden’s Ridge to raise their three boys. 

She was first introduced to the history of the McCoy property through an exhibit on Emma Bell Miles at the Chattanooga Regional History Museum. Although she learned more about Miles through Kay Baker Gaston’s biography, she fell in love with Emma the way many have: by reading Miles’ own work, The Spirit of the Mountains. “I was blown away,” Davis says. “Our community had nurtured this extraordinary person! As an artist, nature lover, and mother, I connected with her on many levels.” 

Davis was inspired to share her knowledge and appreciation of the great artist and writer with the community by planning an event to celebrate Emma. Along with other enthusiastic members of the community—Bettie Chester, Elizabeth Akins, and Karen Stone, among others—they began clearing the overgrown McCoy grounds for the event. “Cleaning out bittersweet and privet with them is a fond memory.” The Emma Bell Miles Celebration was held in 2009 at the McCoy property. “The event was all I dreamed it would be: speakers, musicians, art and information booths, and PEOPLE, learning about Emma.” Thereafter, continued community interest in history and the McCoy property led to the formal creation of the McCoy Farm & Gardens nonprofit six years later.  

Davis has continued to be involved at MFG by being a volunteer, specializing in “all-things-Emma.” She has helped to catalog and protect the collection of Miles’ artwork so generously donated by Kay and Joe Gaston, and helped curate exhibits of loaned artwork for both the Signal Mountain Library and MFG. “I continue to be amazed at all that’s happened at McCoy. It has truly become a gem for our community. Connecting the community with Emma Bell Miles has been a source of joy to me, and I hope to continue to work in this field.” 

Looking back at April

From top left clockwise: Having fun with the Egg Scramble, Easter Bunny has a special visitor, Full house to start the day, McCoy Mutt Parade, Decorating birdhouses.

On a recent misty Saturday morning, a crowd of 34 people attended the Spring Migratory Bird Walk. They had the good fortune to see 26 avian species, including a Great Blue Heron. This was only the second time one has been documented at McCoy.

Top: Kevin Calhoon demonstrates how to properly use binoculars.

Bottom: The group explores the grounds.

What's Coming Up

Emerald Ash Borer Treatment Workshop, Saturday, May 17 & 24, 9:00-11:00 am

Calling all tree lovers. McCoy Farm & Gardens needs your help. The emerald ash borer is killing all untreated green ash trees. Join leader Tom Voychehovski for two sessions to treat our trees on Saturday, May 17 and May 24, from 9-11:00 am. If you plan to volunteer, please call Tom at 423-827-4101 or the office at 423-598-1658.

Bachman-McCoy House Open

There will be no 2nd Sunday Open House in May due to Mother's Day, but the house will be open for tours on Memorial Day, May 26, from 11 am to 3 pm. Our Open House will return on June 8, 2:00-4:00 pm.

Grounds Committee Work Sessions, Tuesdays from 5:00-6:30 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. We hope to see you there!

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 over 70 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.