Worcester County Wonders: Shrewsbury's Garden of Sweet Remembrance blooms once again

SHREWSBURY — "Sooner or later, everything old is new again," Stephen King wrote within the pages of " The Colorado Kid ," and while he may have been alluding to the novel's mystery, the same can be said about many things, including what remains of a long-lost mansion hidden in Shrewsbury's Prospect Park.

"The first time we took the dogs up the hill for a walk, there it was, these incredible stone ruins," said Master Gardener and Dedicated Steward for Friends of Prospect Park Brenda Goodwill. "I was absolutely enamored with both its beauty and its neglect. As a master gardener myself, I thought, 'What an amazing palette that sits before me.'"

That palette is known as the Garden of Sweet Remembrance and it's all that remains of the former Whittall mansion.

The massive home, known as Juniper Hill, was built in 1912 for Worcester carpet magnate Matthew J. Whittall. The home was built by the Norcross brothers , James and Orlando, of Worcester, who would go on to work on iconic buildings such as Trinity Church in Boston, the Rhode Island State House and the New York Public Library.

Apart from the beautiful architecture of the home, the gardens were the highlight. Whittall had an open-door policy and welcomed the public to see his magnificent gardens and the view. On a clear day, it was said one could see all the way to Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire. It was the view and the gardens that drew then-Vice President Calvin Coolidge to Juniper Hall for a visit during the summer of 1922.

That same year, Whittall died and his widow dedicated the pergola in his memory. The building was used as a Masonic hospital before falling into disrepair in the 1970s. The town purchased the land and tore down the remnants of the mansion.

Now the area is taken care of and maintained by the Friends of Prospect Park, a nonprofit organization, founded by Bill Davis, president of the group, and Chris Kirk, treasurer. The pair have been working for the last two decades to breathe new life into the space.

"After that first walk to the ruins, I saw a flyer in the park introducing me to the Friends of Prospect Park, I called them immediately and asked for a meeting," Goodwill said. "I knew instantly this place was a hidden gem."

The group told Goodwill they'd attempted to clear the ruins several times, but they had yet to find way to consistently keep the space clear, as volunteers and funding would come and go.

"They were so gracious and really listened to my vision," Goodwill said, crediting both Davis and Kirk as instrumental to the restoration of the gardens from the beginning. "Perhaps it was serendipity, everything has just come together magically."

When the group first began clearing the brush, the overgrowth stood high above Goodwill's head, with just the tallest point of the pergola visible. Since that first "workday" at the gardens in 2019, the group has logged more than 1,000 volunteer hours, and they've even filled in an empty reflecting pool, transforming it into a beautiful oval of flower beds.

"The colors of the garden are constantly changing," Goodwill said, adding her favorite time of the year is when the iris and lilacs are in bloom. This time of year, several variations of yellow blooms pop throughout.

Visiting the gardens today, it's clear a master gardener has been hard at work, as the garden seems to be thriving; the blooms surrounded by painted rocks with words of wisdom and affirmations.

Several of the small brightly colored stones have the name "Zoe," a tribute to local teenager Zoe Wolfus , who took her life in 2020. The 16-year-old was known for leaving painted stones around not just the pergola at the Garden of Sweet Remembrance but also around Shrewsbury. Upon her death, the pergola and gardens became a memorial for her and others struggling with their mental health.

"Every time I visit, there are new rocks and new messages," Goodwill said, explaining that while the pergola is covered in graffiti, she supports the structure as an artistic canvas, especially for those coming there to remember a loved one.

Unfortunately, the pergola has deteriorated in the last 100 years and will need to be replaced, an effort that has now become the focus for Goodwill and the Friends of Prospect Park.

Excited for our first annual 'Art In Prospect Park' event. It takes a village to make a difference. Come and support...

Posted by Brenda Nagel Goodwill on Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Next month the group is hosting an event called Art in Prospect Park . The first-ever fall fundraiser was inspired by local artist Rose Wang , a cancer survivor and mother of five, who has painted the gardens in the past. Her work, along with several other artists will be available for purchase, with all proceeds going toward a new pergola.

There will also be a kindness rock painting station in honor of Zoe.

If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available . Call or text 988 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 .

T&G engagement editor Sarah Barnacle is getting to know Central Mass. by exploring some of the best places to go and things to do in Worcester County. If you have an idea or suggestion, please email sbarnacle@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester County Wonders: Shrewsbury's Garden of Sweet Remembrance blooms once again