Lakewold Gardens

History

The property first began in 1908 as a 5 acre (20,000 m2) home site for Emma Alexander, who transferred the property to her son Hubbard Alexander and his wife Ruth Alexander. At this point the gardens were already well known in the area. The Alexanders purchased an adjacent site in 1918. In 1925 the property was sold to Major Everett Griggs and his wife, Grace, who renamed the property "Lakewold," a middle-English word meaning “lake-woods.” In 1938 the property was sold again to G. Corydon and Eulalie Wagner, who began collecting plants and engaged Thomas Church as a landscape architect.

In 1987 Mrs. Wagner donated the estate to a non-profit organization, the Friends of Lakewold, stating, "As we become more and more city creatures, living in manmade surroundings, perhaps gardens will become even more precious to us, letting us remember that we began in the garden."

Mission Statement

Our mission is to preserve and enhance Lakewold Gardens as a historic estate garden of world class distinction, offering each visitor an inspirational experience through growth and learning in a profoundly unique setting.

Vision

Lakewold Gardens will strive to maintain a beautiful, pristine, tranquil garden estate affording every visitor a garden experience that will communicate and enhance the mission of Lakewold. In addition to preserving the legacy of the home and garden, Lakewold keeps the gardens up-to-date and evolving as the needs of the visitors change. Lakewold aims to offer exciting programming, educate visitors and enrich the local environment, enhance visitor experience and accessibility, and exemplify a unique and extraordinary experience for visitors, board, staff, and the community.

Collections

Lakewold Gardens was designed by the owner, Eulalie Wagner, with assistance from renowned landscape architect Thomas Church, to be a place for people, full of hidden spaces, eye-catching details and framed vistas. The gardens include a variety of gardening styles, from the European boxwood parterres and topiary, to Asian-inspired shade gardens. Plantings closer to the house are formal, whereas plantings down the slope towards Gravelly Lake are less formal. Rocks, streams, woodland areas, and mature trees, pathways, open lawns, and flower beds can all be found on the slope to the lake.

Gardens

Specialty gardens at Lakewold

Washington State Champion Trees

Museum Governance

Lakewold is a non profit estate garden that is governed by a board of directors who are responsible for determining policy and procedures as well as providing oversight regarding the operation of Lakewold Gardens and the Wagner House. The staff includes 4-5 administrative personnel, 6 garden and facilities personnel, and several interns. Volunteers provide year-round assistance in many areas of garden management, including garden maintenance, leading tours, special events, mailings, and other projects.

Audience

Lakewold seeks to reach a variety of people through its gardens, tours, and programming. Current attendance is approximately 2:1 female to male, the typical visitor is in their mid-forties to upper-sixties. Campaigns to increase audience diversity have led to greater attendance by families and military personnel. (Lakewold Gardens is near McChord Air Force Base and Fort Lewis (Joint Base Lewis-McChord). The busiest time of year at the garden is May, particularly around Mother’s Day. Early spring flowers, fall color, and special events bring people in year-round.

Events

Lakewold Gardens has special events year-round, including:

Martha Stewart came to a breakfast and fashion show at Lakewold Gardens in 1997 as part of a fundraising event.

Public Programs

Classes are offered to the public in topics including:

In addition, group tours are available by reservation.