In 1972, the Bedford Historical Society asked The Bedford Garden Club to plant a garden behind its Museum. Helen Telzrow and her team designed and planted an old-fashioned herb garden in the space provided.

In 2001, Museum built an addition, absorbing most of the garden space while making the Museum ADA compliant.

In 2006, the Club planted a new garden with a raised bed in the center over the buried construction debris.  A variety of hostas, tulips, and anemone, among other perennials filled the area.  NO DEER WERE PRESENT!

But a memo must have gone out to the deer in Bedford Reservation as, after replacing plants several times, the Club voted to fence the entire garden. Not with an ordinary, mundane fence – but rather an art installation – a fitting tribute to the Club’s 90^th Anniversary.

This project would have remained a dream if not for the help of our benefactors. The Ohio Arts Council gave a jump-start to our fundraising. Ms. Heather Rhoades, owner of the website, Gardening Know How, was quick to support us; Mr. Jeff Conway of Mr. T’s Sandblasting donated all of the metal processing and powder coating. The Bedford Historical Society and many Anonymous donors contributed to the Club’s kitty and funding was secured.

Once the Committee decided on the design, artists were contacted and we spoke to a number of them.  The Club chose Ken Roby, The Village Blacksmith. for his wrought iron mural, designed solely for this project. Once upon a time, blacksmiths were considered magicians. It must be magic to take iron bars and bend and twist them to create a work of art.

The work of high school students Steven Miller, Michael Stephens, Amir Doss, Kaitly Walker and Kendall Minner, from Mrs. Rebecca Genao’s Art 4 class at Bedford High School,  added medallions on the south side.

Brian Migchelbrink, of Coventry Steel Company, laser cut these medallions in steel.  The designs represent entities that impacted Bedford’s growth.

Click here to view additional pictures from the Art Fence Unveiling.

Thank you to the artists:

Ken Roby – The Village Blacksmith
Gary Barnhardt
Steve Sladek
Brian Migchelbrink
Paula St. John

Bedford High School Art-4 Students:

Amir Doss
Steven Miller
Kendall Minner
Michael Stephens
Kaitlyn Walker

Thank you to the donors:

Gardening Know How
Anonymous
Ohio Art Council
Mr. T’s Painting and Sandblasting
The Bedford Historical Society
Petro Metal Services
The City of Bedford
Coventry Steel Company
Bedford High School Art-4

Heartfelt Thanks to all the various 90^th Anniversary Planning Committees that made this year memorable:

Mary Baldwin Szelagowski
Phyllis Barone
Brenda Junkin
Trish Karabowicz
Betsy Lee
Barbara McDaniel
Brian Migchelbrink
Sharon Migchelbrink
Heather Rhoades
Jeanne Sapir
Elmer Schulz
Dot Schwende
Paula St. John
Reggie Taussig

And thanks to all the others that weeded, lifted, carried and more:

Bud Barna
Kathy Donato
Charlotte Fleming
Bret Holycross
Jeff Hric
Sarah Piller
Carole Pittis
Paul Pojman
Helen Salo
Geneva & Tom Sheppard
JoAnna Telzrow
Peggy Zelasko
Marie Zadnik