EASTPORT -- Establishing a garden on the grounds of the historic Wilkinson Homestead in Eastport has posed a challenge to the volunteers dedicated to the project. Without a working well, thousands of gallons of water have been toted to keep the plants and bushes alive and thriving since they were first planted four years ago.
In an effort to simplify caring for the garden of heirloom plants, members of the Wilkinson Homestead Historical Society will hold a Wishing for a Well photo show and fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the homestead on M-88 in Eastport.
Hundreds of historical photos of the Wilkinson Homestead and area in and around Antrim County will be on display in a converted woodshed gallery at the home, donated to preserve local history by the Wilkinson family in 2001.
Volunteers Jim and Loraine Mottern, who took on re-creating a historically accurate garden at the home-turned-museum four years ago, will be especially happy to see a well drilled on the property.
"I was watering two times a day with 30 gallons in each trip the first couple of years when we were getting many of the plants established," said Loraine who, along with husband Jim filled and transported countless plastic containers to water the bulbs, flowers and bushes transplanted during a summer of drought.
"Most of our plants have been donated from centennial farms and the conservation district," said Mottern, noting that she was recently promised a white lilac cutting from an area farm to add to the hollyhocks, daffodils, irises and climbing rose bush that surround the home's entryway.
Supplying water to the home built in the late 1800s is the latest in a long line of tasks the volunteer group hopes to complete in an effort to restore the structure to its original condition.
"The house was unoccupied for more than 40 years, just like Mr. Wilkinson left it when he died," said Nora Metz, who remembers visiting her great-grandmother just two doors down from the Wilkinson property more than 80 years ago. Metz, who has lived in Eastport for the past 20 years, was eager to preserve the home she remembered from her childhood.
"It has taken a lot of work to get to where we are today, and it has almost all been done by volunteers," she said.
Metz, in addition to contributing her personal recollections of the property to the restoration project, has loaned a portion of her vast collection of early 20th-century children's toys for display in the landmark homestead that is open to visitors on summer weekends.
The Wilkinson Homestead is at 5940 M-88 Highway, just east of U.S. 31 in Eastport. For information, call 599-2043.
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