With all we’ve been going through, it’s a good time to think about beautiful
blooming gardens and the hope each precious bud shares. In Keyport,
you are soon to nd an exquisite blend of the glory of gardens
with the grandeur of historic homes. It’s one for your calendar and for your soul.
The streets of Keyport are lined with many 100-year-old homes with an
amazingly friendly community of home owners who invite the public to share
their well-preserved treasures. During the holidays, the Keyport Historical Society
conducts a Candlelight House Tour where a selection of generous homeowners
allow the public into their beautiful and decorated homes to tour, take photos,
enjoy music, nosh on snacks, and revel in the stories shared in many historic houses.
In early summer, it’s the Keyport Garden Club’s turn as they host the Keyport
GardenWalk on Saturday and Sunday, June 6 and 7 from 11 am to 3 pm.
It is a unique, free, bike-friendly, pet-friendly opportunity to enjoy and
explore dozens of public and private gardens in the historic borough of Keyport.
Each day begins with a GardenTalk at Keyport Borough Hall. On Saturday,
June 6, it’s “The Herb Lady” Caren White, and on Sunday, June 7, garden
writer and historian Lesley Parness will present “Josephine, the Empress Gardener.”
The Keyport GardenWalk was voted the “Best Outdoor Attraction” in
the Asbury Park Press Readers’ Choice Poll from 2013 through 2018. More
than 3,500 visitors from several states as well as Portugal, Canada, India and
China have come to enjoy the gardens, eat in Keyport’s restaurants and listen
to live music. You can learn more at KeyportGardenWalk.org or by calling
732-351-2167. Now let’s take a peek at some of the historic highlights of this
wonderful weekend.
The 1887 home of Mark and Lisa Sessa – Located at 126 Main St., the
Sessas have spent the past 23 years living in this well-preserved Queen Ann
Victorian with a cottage garden, vegetables, brilliant pot displays, fountain
and knot garden. It was built by prominent Keyport gures Mr. and Mrs. Elias
H. and Mary B. Conover.
The E.H. Conover store on
Front Street sold custom
and ready-made clothing as
early as 1860. He was also
an avid breeder of rare and
fancy pigeons, which were
kept in the basement. The
house retains much of its
original detail inside and
out. The slate roof is still in
place along with the terracotta
ridge decorations. The
home includes a restored
foyer with original stained
38 APRIL 2020 | TheJournalNJ.com
Hiasvtoernics BY LORI DRAZ
Keyport GardenWalk
glass windows and 9-foot entry doors. The front parlor and dining room boast
working replaces. The back parlor has an arched bay and working pocket
doors. Original built-in cabinets still remain in the butler’s pantry outside of
the country kitchen.
The Reedy House –
Located at 42 First St. with
a spectacular riverfront
backyard, the Reedy House
dates back to 1840 – or at
least part of it does. The front
house was built in 1840;
the rear house was built in
1889 by architect Henry A.
Young. It was designed so
the two houses could be
joined together in the ultimate
romantic gesture for
his wife. Anne Marie Reedy,
its current owner, is as full of
loving energy as those rst residents. She graciously welcomes you to tour her
main eclectic garden with a koi pond in the front yard. There are also assorted
mini gardens throughout, including one on the porch, and then there’s that
magnicent backyard view with more formal gardens.
The Masters Octave
– Located at 80 West Front
St., this two-and-a-half story
Federal-style home was
built in 1860 by Captain
Christian D. Emerson, who
served in the Danish Navy
under Napolean. There
are so many intriguing
elements to this home, including
the Carrara marble
carved chimneys. (We’ll
be back to visit again). The
park-like backyard features
a mix of native and Adirondack
plantings, a water feature and mature trees. The home is a frequent venue
for artists’ exhibitions and boasts a mystical, peaceful aura.
And there are so many more including the home and museum of the
Keyport Historical Society, located at 34 Main St. Each story is long and fascinating,
so relax and enjoy your visit.
Keyport GardenWalk is one of many endeavors of the Keyport Garden
Club, a not-for-prot 501(c)3 organization. Its mission is to encourage civic
pride and enhance the natural beauty of Keyport’s neighborhoods, public
spaces and highway corridors through volunteerism, education and partnerships
using environmentally sound horticultural practices. To learn more, visit
KeyportGardenClub.com.
1887 home of Mark and Lisa Sessa
1887 home of Mark and Lisa Sessa
Reedy House
Masters Octave
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