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See Connecticut's Historic Gardens Day activities offered here June 26, 2011
 Florence Griswold Museum
96 Lyme Street
Old Lyme, CT 06371 | 860.434.5542
Open January–December
Tuesday–Saturday, 10 am–5 pm; Sunday, 1–5 pm
www.florencegriswoldmuseum.org
Florence Griswold opened her timeworn family home to artists searching for a quiet country retreat where they could rejuvenate their spirits and find sources of inspiration. The group was known as the Lyme Art Colony and Miss Florence's boardinghouse became the center of Impressionism in America. To honor Miss Florence and the Colony, the Florence Griswold Museum was established and has flourished in exciting ways.
 Miss Florence was a keen gardener, and had what is characterized today as a "grandmother's garden," in which masses of flowers were informally arranged in bordered beds close to home. From seed catalogues and references to garden books among her correspondence, it is clear she was constantly in search of new and unusal plants. She helped others establish their own gardens, and filled her home with small, informally arranged bouquets of fresh flowers. Many of the Lyme Art Colony artists painted the gardens and landscape around her home. This information, along with archaeology that helped the Museum identify the physical boundaries of the garden beds and walkways, guided the garden restoration.
Varieties of hollyhocks, iris, foxglove, heliotrope, phlox, cranesbill and day lilies are among the many perennials that make up the garden.
For hours, admission information and directions, visit www.florencegriswoldmuseum.org.
Connecticut's Historic Gardens Day, June 26, 2011 | 12–4 pm
 Visit the gardens and landscape that inspired a generation of artists. Enjoy refreshments on Miss Florence's porch. Get creative and pick up all the painting supplies necessary to make your own masterpiece in the garden or down by the river. Have lunch at Café Flo — garden-fresh, family-friendly menu items from $5 to $15. Grounds admission is free; regular admission applies for historic house and gallery.
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