“Timeless Treasures” is the theme for the 2018 Talbot County House and Garden Tour, which will take place on Saturday, May 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine. This year’s tour consists of six extraordinary waterfront properties dating as far back as the early 1700s. Sponsored by the Talbot County Garden Club, the tour is part of the Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage.

Talbot County enjoys more than 600 miles of waterfront and visitors of this year’s tour will explore unique waterfront properties around the county while traveling through history. The tour will begin in the beautiful gardens of the Talbot Historical Society and the tour’s information headquarters will be open at the Praeger Family Auditorium, located at 17 South Washington Street in Easton from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day. From there, plan your journey through the timeless treasures of Talbot County.

The first two homes are located off of Oxford Road. Two Coves is situated on over two acres of land, with a unique 270-degree view of LeGates Cove. The home was originally built in 1965 with substantial renovations being completed inside and out since 2011. Owl’s Nest, which is situated on 13.5 acres overlooking Trippe Creek, was originally built in 1972 on property that once served as the nursery for Canterbury Manor, a 1,000-acre estate which dates back to the 1600s. The home has also undergone substantial renovation and redesign. The next two homes are located down St. Michaels Road. Halcyon on the Tred Avon River is a venerable property that has gone through substantial renovation since its origin in the mid-19th century. Today, this gorgeous home is a perfect complement to the extraordinary graceful grounds with lovely outbuildings, an infinity swimming pool and extraordinary outdoor sculptures. Auburn is situated on 132 acres of farm and woodlands with a mile of waterfront on Shipshead Creek and the Tred Avon River. The oldest part of the house dates back to the 1700s. The tour then heads down Goldsborough Neck. A long driveway leads into Tamarind, overlooking Goldsborough Creek. The tour features two of their fabulous guest houses – ‘Heron House’ and ‘The Cottage’ – which exemplify very different architectural styles and interior design.   The tour completes with the historic home, Myrtle Grove. The oldest portion of the home was built between 1724 and 1734. The home has undergone renovation over the years, but the main house continues to adorn many of its original decorative features throughout. In the living room, a window behind the 1888 Steinway grand piano contains the engraved signature of Robert E. Lee. The gardens have been preserved with all their natural Talbot County beauty as well. All the homes are truly timeless treasures.

Tour participants are sure to be enchanted with the timeless beauty of all of the unique homes featured on this year’s tour. Tickets will be $35 in advance at the Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage site at www.mhgp.org/tickets or in person at Bountiful and Garden Treasures, both in Easton. Tickets will also be available for purchase on the day of the tour at all locations for $40. Credit cards will only be accepted for online purchases.

Eat Sprout will be providing locally sourced, organic boxed lunches for $15 at the Praeger Family Auditorium located at 17 South Washington Street in Easton. They may be purchased online in advance at www.eatsprout.com/gardenclub or the day of the tour at the Praeger Family Auditorium.

For more information, contact the Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage at www.mhgp.org or contact Laura Carney at 410-310-3307 or laurahcarney@gmail.com.

The Talbot County Garden Club was established in 1917 to enrich the natural beauty of the environment by sharing knowledge of gardening, fostering the art of flower arranging, maintaining civic projects, supporting projects that benefit Talbot County and encouraging the conservation of natural resources. Noteworthy projects include maintaining the grounds of the Talbot Historical Society, Talbot County Courthouse, Talbot County Free Library, the fountain and children’s gardens at Idlewild Park and numerous other gardens and activities. There are currently a total of 101 active, associate and honorary members.