Historic Tebbetts Gardens
Headquarters House is surrounded by gardens established in pre-Civil War Fayetteville by the family of Judge Jonas and Matilda Tebbetts and maintained today by the Washington County Master Gardeners
In her journal, Marian Tebbetts Banes, Judge Tebbetts oldest daughter, lovingly described the setting created by the gardens:
The ‘new place’ fell into beautiful and graceful lines. Everything was so calm and peaceful. It is a pity everyone has not as peaceful and abundant a childhood to look back upon as was found here.
(from The Journal of Marian Tebbetts Banes, published by the Washington County Historical Society)
Expert horticulturists and landscape gardeners have developed the plan for today’s historic Gardens based on a careful translation of the 19th century Tebbetts gardens. The story of the history of the Gardens and the development of today’s grounds can be found here. The plans and policies for today’s historic Gardens are based on Marian Tebbetts Banes’ journal, the work of landscape design leaders such as Dr. Carl Totemeier, Dr. Judy Brittenum, and Richard Sheridan, and the dedication of the Washington County Master Gardeners.
The landscape plan (on the left), prepared by landscape architect Richard Sheridan in 1980, illustrates the Tebbetts' property prior to the Civil War. The photos above reflect the efforts of the Washington County Master Gardeners who maintain the Headquarters House Gardens. These photos show plants from the Tebbetts' gardens in fall 2024, with late season blooms and vegetables.
The Tebbetts Vegetable Garden in fall 2024.
Photos by Cheri Coley.
GARDEN Tours
The Gardens are open to the public, and docent-led tours are available. To arrange a tour, contact the Headquarters House Museum at 479-521-2970. More detailed information about the Gardens is available in the Headquarters House Museum.
