The Magnolia Garden Club’s Valdosta Tour of Homes & Gardens next week will benefit The Crescent.

Recent work on the Valdosta landmark The Crescent doesn’t come from public funds; the mansion’s repairs and upkeep are funded by private donations and fund-raisers such as next weekend’s Valdosta Tour of Homes & Gardens.

A group of civic-minded women’s garden clubs saved The Crescent from demolition in the 1950s. They restored the mansion and it became part of the Garden Center Inc., an alliance of Valdosta garden clubs charged with caring for The Crescent along with the grounds and buildings surrounding the structure.

The Garden Center accepts donations, such as a recent $5,000 donation made by Roy Taylor for repairs to The Crescent, says Ximena Holcombe, president of the Magnolia Garden Club, which sponsors the tour.

It also raises capital through reservations for weddings, receptions, anniversaries and other social functions. And there are the fund-raising events, such as the tour.

The Magnolia Garden Club has had past success raising money for The Crescent with this event.

Participants purchase a ticket which allows them to visit several Valdosta-Lowndes County homes, buildings and gardens.

This year’s tour includes:

The Crescent, 900 N. Patterson St.: “A formal garden including a chapel and an octagonal kindergarten.”

Cox Home & Garden, 308 N. Patterson St.: “An attractive townhouse with a container-grown garden.”

Lowndes County Historical Society & Museum, Central Avenue: “A power-point presentation of houses on Patterson in the early 1900s. Many of the houses were demolished. Also a display of vintage hats of that period.”

Thomas Home, 412 River St.: “This historic home was built in the early 1900s. The Thomases have it furnished from that period. They also have many interesting collections.”

Smith Home, 2865 Green Meadow: “A beautiful two-story home decorated throughout and tastefully landscaped.”

Carter Home & Garden, 909 Moss Way: “This traditional Frank McCall Williamsburg home was designed to be historically correct. The recently remodeled interior offers an eclectic array of fabrics, art, and antiques.”

 Taylor Home & Garden, 1909 Bridlewood: “An imposing two-story home with a beautiful landscaped garden that includes a pond encircled by a miniature railroad track and train.”

 

Home & Garden Tour

When: 10 a.m.-noon, and 2-4 p.m. Saturday, April 24.

Tickets may be purchased this week at The Crescent from 2-5 p.m. daily; as well as the times and day of the tour.

Cost: $15.