McCoy Farm & Gardens Newsletter

Volume Ten: Issue NinexxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxSeptember 2025

Celebrating a Decade

of Community Success

Join us for our

10th Anniversary Festival on Saturday, October 4 and

Trivia on the Front Lawn Dinner on Sunday, October 5

Saturday’s events include something for everyone. The festival runs from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Jim Ogden, historian for the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, will bring a replica Union supply wagon and talk about the importance of Anderson Pike during the Civil War. The Chattanooga Library Local History Department and the UTC Library Special Collections will loan a moonshine still much like the one Uncle Joe Miles used on the property adjacent to McCoy. Head Chattanooga local history librarian Jessica Sedgwick and others from the downtown library will be on hand to talk about why the mountain made such an ideal distilling location and share stories of moonshiners and revenuers. Local actor Tim Forsythe will play the part of Uncle Joe Miles. The Chattanooga Library will also have an extensive array of Walden’s Ridge historical artifacts and Emma Bell Miles art on display in the Bachman-McCoy House. Tours of the house and walks to the Miles homesite will be offered throughout the day.

Earlier Saturday morning at 8:00 am, small groups led by members of the Chattanooga Chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society will delight both first-time and experienced birders alike with a fall migration bird walk. An interpretive hike and tours of McCoy’s arboretum, which includes over 70 species, and gardens, including the new native plant woodland garden, will be offered.

The Robbins family has recently donated a working cider press to McCoy. Family members will demonstrate the process of producing apple cider, in keeping with the farm’s heritage as an apple orchard. Apple cider and funnel cakes will be offered for sale. Hamburgers and hot dogs, grilled by the Signal Mountain Lions Club, and barbecue from Blue Sky BBQ will also be available for purchase.

The stage will feature local performers and musicians, including Scenic City Shakespeare, who will perform an excerpt from their fall production of “Twelfth Night”; the Smokey Holler Band; Mark Merriman; Linda Lou Viar; Joe and Autumn; and the Blue Bells. 

Anniversary Workshops on 10/4

Nature Journaling in the Spirit of Emma Bell Miles

Our nature journaling workshop leader, renowned naturalist and author Mary Priestley, is an associate with the Sewanee Herbarium. She has practiced this method of engaging with the natural world for more than 25 years. In the spirit of naturalist and artist Emma Bell Miles, workshop participants will explore setting up a nature journal, composing a journal page, botanical drawing, and uses of images and text. Each person will have the opportunity to peruse nature journals, books, and materials, and create a journal page with which to remember the day. Workshop costs are $20 per person, and space is limited. Children are welcome to participate with a family member. Family tickets for an adult and a child are $30.

Kudzu Basket Weaving Workshop

Artist Amy Wetmore will teach participants how to create a small basket with both dry and fresh split kudzu vines. Make a basket perfect for holding fall woodland treasures such as acorns or hemlock cones. In the spring, it can serve as a small Easter basket. Workshop tickets are $45 each, and space is limited. Children under 12 are welcome, but they will require supervision.

Trivia Night on the Front Lawn

Sunday, 10/5

A Night of Community, Cuisine, and Cleverness

featuring Southern Fare and the Scratchmore Spritz

Test Your Wits &

Support our Historic Treasure!

Capping off the Celebration of a Decade, McCoy is pleased to present our fundraiser dinner, Trivia Night on the Front Lawn.

Guests will savor an elegant Southern dinner, served charcuterie-style, accompanied by a signature cocktail, the Scratchmore Spritz (in reference to a name Pearl Bachman sometimes used for the farm), before being challenged with spirited trivia rounds hosted by quizmaster Andy Tucker.

Early Bird Special: Tables for eight are available for sale for $600 each through September 18 ($700 beginning 9/19). Individual tickets are $100 each.

Gather your sharpest friends, put your wits to the test, and help set up McCoy for success to start its second decade.

This fundraiser dinner is proudly sponsored by Pruett’s, Rent All Store, Chattanooga Whiskey, and Bud Floral.

What's Coming Up

TV Tables: Antique & Vintage China Luncheon & Auction

Thursday, September 25

There are just a few left, so don't delay!

Bachman-McCoy House Open

Sunday, September 14, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Join us for an afternoon of fascinating stories of the property and the people who have called it home.

Honey and other McCoy merchandise will be available for sale. One-pound jars of honey are $15.

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.