In 1986, work began on a memorial garden behind the 1850 Beith House for Polly Bowman, an active and beloved volunteer for Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley (PPFV). By 2023, unfortunately, Polly’s Garden had become overgrown. Led by Polly’s son, Warren Bowman, an effort began to restore the garden. Volunteers, primarily from the Pottawatomie Garden Club, cleaned up the garden and worked with Warren and PPFV staff to develop a new plant plan for the garden (see plant plan and plan key below).

SPONSOR A PLANT!

Polly and Walker’s Memorial Garden is now ready for planting. Financial donations are needed to cover the cost of the plants, so we are offering YOU the opportunity to sponsor a plant (or plants!) for the garden. Wasco Nursery & Garden Center has generously offered the plants at wholesale pricing to help lower the cost of the plants.

Please click the button below to sponsor a plant (or plants!) for the garden or to give a general donation for the garden.

We look forward to opening the garden to the public in the summer of 2026!

Plants sponsored may be substituted depending upon availability. Additionally, PPFV will purchase the plants using these donated funds. Please do not go to Wasco to buy a plant.

Thank you for your help!