Kingwood Center Gardens- Mansfield, OH

I love grand estate gardens. A planted piece of the past, frequently with fountains, stone paths, and statuary. Truly, no country home is complete without elegant, intricate landscaping, and perhaps a folly or two. The Kingwood Center Gardens were an unexpected find; a reminder of an area’s more prosperous past, a beautiful estate transformed into a botanical garden.

The 47 acre property was once owned by Charles Kelly King, an electrical engineer who made his fortune manufacturing fittings for railroads and trolleys. At the center of the estate, a grand Colonial Revival/French Provincial mansion, constructed in 1926 by Cleveland architect Clarence Mack. Surrounding the house, formal gardens designed by Pitkin and Mott. Upon King’s death in 1952, he left the entire estate to a private foundation, which was to operate the property as a public garden. Fortunately, he also left a trust to make sure it was funded well into the future.

The original estate gardens were a series of connected rooms, each built around a central feature, and enclosed with hedges. Unfolding as you walk, it is a collection of sunken gardens, sculptures and pools, of varying elevations. During King’s time, a large swimming pool was located in this area, although this has since been removed. This is a shame- it would be the perfect place for a swim.

The house is architecturally interesting enough for a quick walk through. The first two floors are decorated with some of King’s original furniture, while the rest of the house contains administrative offices, as well as a horticulture library. Outside, however, is where the action is. In addition to the original gardens, several new areas have been added over the years, including a Terrace Garden in the area that was once home to tennis courts, a Herb Garden, a Rose Garden, and a Perennial Garden.

Additionally, the estate is home to a duck pond, roaming peacocks, and several restored outbuildings, including a carriage house. It is a fabulous place to explore, frequently hosting rotating exhibits. It is well worth a stop, should you find yourself in the area.