Question: The men seen in this photo are wearing dress uniforms complete with gloves. Do you know who they are or why they have such fashionable attire?
Last week’s answer: The photo from last week features Doris Cross, noted local authority on peonies, surveying the plants were still thriving on the property that was once the Indian Spring Farm. This famous farm raised winning peonies, iris, narcissus, lilies and gladiola and was internationally acclaimed for more than a decade. F.A. Goodrich and horticulturist Harry Little, ran the enterprise that beautified landscapes both near and far. In 1924, the farm raised 355 varieties of peonies and had 35,000 peony plants. The following year there were more than 700 varieties and more than 100,000 peony plants covering the hillside between what is now Dexter Parkway and today’s Route 690.
By 1931 the farm had expanded to more than 400 acres with an additional 60 acres rented. Orders were received from throughout the United States and from distant and exotic places including China, Japan and Australia. By that time production included more than 1,000 varieties and single roots could be purchased anywhere from 25 cents to 50 cents depending upon their rarity. The Great Depression put an end to this noted enterprise.
More varieties of peonies continue to be developed each year, but the peonies hybridized and raised on Indian Spring Farms more than 90 years ago continue to bloom in gardens throughout Central New York as well as across the United States. It is thanks to Doris’ leadership in surveying of the original farm and transplanting many of the specimens that original root stock from the farm is now cultivated and preserved at Baldwinsville’s Museum at the Shacksboro Schoolhouse on Canton Street. The museum’s heritage peony collection includes almost 200 varieties and some 500 plants.
The museum peony garden will be at peak bloom this year for the 20th Peony Fest on June 1. The color and fragrance of these huge blooms dominated McHarrie Park. A virtual tent city pops up for the day as artists and artisans exhibit their wares, demonstrate their processes and share tips and techniques with visitors. Doris will be there and will be available to give her expert advice. There will also be plant sales, raffles and music throughout the day. Everyone is invited to bring cut stems from their garden and enter the peony flower show.
Peony Fest takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 1, on the museum grounds at 46 Canton St. Admission is free. For more information go to shacksboromuseum.com or call 315-638-2452.
Email your guess to [email protected] or leave a message at 315-434-8889 ext. 332 with your guess by noon Friday. If you are the first person to correctly identify an element in the photo before the deadline, your name and guess will appear in next week’s newspaper, along with another History Mystery feature. History Mystery is a joint project of the Museum at the Shacksboro Schoolhouse and the Baldwinsville Public Library.
