May 04, 2026

From Our Readers: Meeting Spring Amidst Your Favorite Gardens

Be it the temperate weather (depending on where you live) and a sudden burst of color that comes with the first blooms of the season, there is something about Spring that beckons us to the outdoors. So in April we asked readers of our weekly newsletter the following question:

If you had a perfect spring afternoon to spend among the flowers, which museum’s/historic site's gardens would you visit?

As the responses flew into our inbox, it was clear just how excited you all were to go exploring! The answers revealed—though we weren’t all that surprised—how much gardens and landscapes at historic sites are beloved by those who are passionate about preservation. We appreciated seeing some of our National Trust Historic Sites and members of the Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios program on this list while also being excited by the sites that were “new” to us.

We pulled out a few of the longer responses (some of which have been edited for length) to share with you, followed by the full list of recommendations to add to your bucket list.

The exterior of Chesterwood's studio can be seen in the background. A fountain and two small trees blooming with pink flowers are seen in the foreground.

photo by: Don Freeman

Exterior of Chesterwood, a National Trust Historic Site and HAHS Member.

R.W. Norton Art Gallery (Shreveport, Louisiana)

The R. W. Norton Art Gallery in Shreveport, Louisiana, features an impressive garden on its extensive grounds. A walk in Spring is particularly impressive when the azaleas are in bloom, including both indica varieties and a large collection of deciduous azaleas native to the American South.

– William H.

Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum (Bristol, Rhode Island)

One afternoon just wouldn't be enough [at Blithwold]!

The view of the daffodils is just one small snapshot of the wonderful scenery that exists there in the springtime, a picture doesn't do it justice! You have to experience it in person!

– Carolyn N.

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library (Winterthur, Delaware)

The “March Walk” at Henry DuPont’s Winterthur estate is an amazing sight to behold in mid March. There is a short window of time to take in this visual delight as the cobalt flowers have a narrow time of bloom- about two weeks or so. Henry had his gardeners plant about 20,000 chionodoxa bulbs back in the day and over the decades these have multiplied to cover a vast expanse on a hillside that are an incredibly beautiful sight.

– Kim T.

Filoli Historic House and Garden (Woodside, California)

Filoli, no question! It is a multi-acred fabulous, well cared for garden which seems like a jewel box, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the San Francisco Bay Area. Right now it is bursting with colors of red, yellow, pink, purple, blue, green, white.

– Diana N.

Filoli is a National Trust Historic Site. Explore the Filoli garden further in this article from the Spring 2025 issue of Preservation magazine.

Elk Rock Garden (Portland, Oregon)

Elk Rock Garden in Portland, Oregon is the perfect place to visit on any spring afternoon.

Elk Rock is a historic site..,recognized as one of the oldest and largest intact private gardens in the Pacific Northwest and is undergoing a restoration project [for its stonework and water feature]. It’s all thanks to students from the University of Oregon, and experts from across the country.

– Gracie C.

Manassas National Battlefield Park (Manassas, Virginia)

Manassas National Battlefield Park, specifically the Stone Bridge Trail. The bluebells and trout lilies along Bull Run were absolutely gorgeous this year. SO-MANY-BLUEBELLS!

– Wendy W.

Deepwood Museum and Gardens (Salem, Oregon)

If I were to spend an afternoon in a lovely historic site the first place that comes to mind is a local museum in Salem, Oregon called Deepwood Museum & Gardens. The formal 5-acres of gardens were designed by a renowned landscape architect group. They intentionally designed something beautiful and interesting to grow year-round in our humid climate. The upkeep of this wonderful place is thanks to the Friends of Deepwood, the Parks Department, and many, many volunteers.

– Val V.

View of a green lawn with winding terraced walls with a set of teal chairs underneath a large tree. Two people stand on one of the lower terraces.

photo by: Amy Sutherland

View of the Oak Lawn at Naumkeag, a HAHS member site.

Full List of Submissions

Thanks to Jane T., Janet A, Holly H., Jannine M., William H., Caroline S., Carolyn N., Marie G., Nancy H., Jonane, Alison G., Alex W., Kim T., Cathy T., M.Catherine L., Peter F., Gracie C., Wendy W., Stephanie M., Sarah D., Diana N., Jack J., Olivia J., Paul S., N.Hatch., Val V., Maria-Teresa P., Mary Ann C., BF., Anne S., MCatherine L., Margaret A., Bernadette M., Luella L., Sheryl N., Mary Jo P., Becky M., Caroline S. for your submissions.

Join Today to Help Save the Places Where Our History Happened!

Join the National Trust for Historic Preservation and play an active role in the preservation movement—strengthening communities, creating healthier environments, and fostering a more just society.

While her day job is the associate director of content at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Priya spends other waking moments musing, writing, and learning about how the public engages and embraces history.

Related Stories

This May, celebrate the historic sites, neighborhoods, and landmarks that tell the full American story—places that remind us of how far we've come and how far we still have to go.

Celebrate!