McCoy Farm & Gardens Newsletter

Volume Nine: Issue Elevenxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx November 2024

Thank You to Our Volunteers -

We Could Not Exist Without You

McCoy Farm & Gardens wants to thank all of our volunteers. Whether you helped out yesterday or ten years ago, for one hour or for countless, you have made a difference. We could not have the beautiful trails, carefully curated gardens, docent tours, or community events without your help.

One of the most important ways we organize our efforts is through our Volunteer Coordinator. For the past few years, Anne Hayes Pearce has been coordinating our volunteers, however, she has recently moved to a role focused on education and turned the volunteer position over to new board member Beth Myers.

Beth is a recent addition to our volunteering community at McCoy Farm & Gardens, having moved to the mountain three years ago and becoming involved shortly after. “I was looking for ways to plug into the community and meet people,” she said when asked why she became involved. Since first volunteering, exciting projects and a welcoming community have pulled her into a more involved role. “It is a resource for the community and also very much dependent on that community. McCoy could not exist without volunteers.” She encourages everyone to volunteer, no matter their available time or interests. “We’ll find a way to get you involved.”

If you are interested in giving back to the community by keeping your favorite walking trails clear, weeding invasive plants out of your favorite McCoy garden, decorating for the approaching holidays, or helping out at the upcoming annual tree lighting, Beth Myers can help you find the perfect activity. Anne Hayes suggests volunteering with a friend if you need extra incentive, mentioning Pam Williams and Gail Dennis, two volunteers who became close friends while helping at McCoy and continue to volunteer together. Volunteering is a great way to stay close to old friends or meet new ones who may live just around the corner. Reach out to Beth at getinvolved@mccoywalden.org to learn more.

Just a snapshot of some our amazing volunteers and all the work they do!

Docent Program Updates

The McCoy Farm & Gardens Docent program is growing and continually learning to make the best of every visitor's experience when they come to McCoy.

At the first meeting back in September from their summer break, the docents were presented a New McCoy Photo Book coordinated by Mary Bach and Gail Dennis which they produced over the summer. It's fantastic and will be a great resource for the docents during open houses to show photos of the house over time as well as personal photos of the Bachman McCoy family. Please stop by any of the open houses and take a peek at their hard work. They plan to assemble a second photo book on the Civil War and McCoy Farm & Gardens.

The October monthly meeting for the Docents was an educational one. Pam Williams arranged for special guest speaker, David Cooper, who covered the history of Jonathan Bachman with an emphasis on Bachman's tenure at First Presbyterian Church. McCoy Board Chairman, Mickey Robbins, attended as well as Harriett Berman, who has taken an active role for many years with First Presbyterian's archives.

Meet Katie Whitmire

My name is Katie Whitmire, and I am thrilled to be the Event Marketing Director at McCoy Farm & Gardens. Growing up on Signal Mountain and with family connections to the McCoys, I have always loved and appreciated the beauty of the property. My husband Chase and I moved away from the area for many years, raising our 4 daughters in cities centered around amazing local parks. When we moved back to Chattanooga in 2022, McCoy quickly became our favorite gathering spot for evening walks, picnics, and family gatherings. So naturally, when my daughter was planning her wedding around the same time, we toured and chose McCoy as the perfect venue to host her memorable day. 

When the opportunity arose in the summer of 2024 for me to join the incredible team, I was thrilled to accept. It is a joy to meet with people looking for a place to host their event, introduce them to all we have to offer and work with them to make their vision come to fruition. Both of my parents serve as volunteers for McCoy, and I, too, wanted to be a part of preserving this piece of history on our unique mountain. I so enjoy sharing our welcoming space with both Signal Mountain locals and those in the greater Chattanooga community. It is my hope that more people will see what a gem we have in McCoy Farm & Gardens and spark an interest in being a part of the many opportunities available. 

Each time I walk the property, I am grateful both for the gift that Martha McCoy offered to our community and for the incredible team of volunteers who show such great care and ownership of our neighborhood backyard! 

Photo: Katie, third from left, with her family at McCoy Farm & Gardens in 2022 for her daughter's wedding.

Tree Lighting December 5

McCoy Farm & Gardens invites all our Walden's Ridge neighbors on Thursday evening, December 5, as we continue the Bachman McCoy family tradition of lighting a large Christmas tree for the whole mountain to enjoy!

The Bachman McCoy House will be open at 5:00 PM and Santa will arrive about 5:15 PM. Shop McCoy merchandise, holiday china, and items from local vendors. Make an ornament, sing along to carols, and enjoy complimentary hot chocolate served by our elected officials. Pizza will be available for sale.

The tree will be lit at 6:00 PM by the mayors of Walden and Signal Mountain.

Parking will be available at the Horse Ring Parking Lot and, weather permitting, the Glade along Anderson Pike. 

What's Coming Up

• Bachman McCoy Open House Sunday, November 10, 2-4 PM
• Volunteer Appreciation Party

Sunday, November 10, 3-5 PM

• Tree Worx Tree Give-a-way, Friday, November 15, 5-10 PM 
• W Road Clean Up,

Sunday, November 17, 8 AM

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 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.