Chandor Gardens Foundation News
Enjoy a self-guided journey through 8 unique gardens in Parker County. Discover what lies behind the hedges, fences, and gates!
The Friends of Chandor Gardens, part of Chandor Gardens Foundation Inc., are thrilled to present the 5th Annual Secret Gardens of Parker County Tour of eight gardens. Embark on a self-guided adventure through these seven hidden gems, each offering a unique and enchanting experience.
Uncover the beauty that lies beyond the hedges, fences and gates while wandering through these picturesque gardens. From tranquil oases to vibrant floral displays, each stop on the tour promises to inspire and delight.
The gardens can be visited in any order between the times of 9:00 am and 4:00 pm on Saturday, June 6. 2026. Make your own itinerary, go at your own pace, and enjoy your time in these beautiful gardens.
Garden Locations: Will be posted closer to tour date
Tickets:
- $15/person - online in advance
- $20/person - day of the event at 1st garden visited.
NOTE - Those purchasing tickets online will be emailed a link to the PDF brochure with information about each garden and a map closer to the tour date. All ticket holders will be provided a printed copy of the brochure at the 1st garden gate visited the day of the event.
Regrettably, due to stairs and uneven terrain, the gardens on the tour are not fully accessible for those with mobility disabilities.
In case of cancellation, due to significant inclement weather, the tour will be held Saturday, June 13, 2026, instead.
Thank-you so much to the garden owners!
We are only able to be in the private gardens through the gracious kindness of the owners.
For additional information call Karen at: 817-550-7762
** Proceeds benefit preservation and enhancement projects to Chandor Gardens reflecting the artistic vision of Douglas Chandor **
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS
Thank-you to our Sponsors!
We could not hold this event without their generous support.
Raising awareness and understanding of wildlife pollinators and the ecosystems that sustain them – and us!
Join us for our ongoing “Wine & Words” Speaker Series the evening of Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 7:00 PM (doors open at 6:30 PM) in the Great Room at Chandor Gardens, Weatherford, TX to hear an inspiring author talk with conservationist, journalist, and nature writer Monika Maeckle. Maeckle will discuss her book The Monarch Butterfly Migration: It’s Rise & Fall and will also highlight her latest book Plants with Purpose: Twenty-Five Ecosystem Multitaskers
Monika will share with us her journey from curiosity to involvement about monarch butterfly migrations that touch on a variety of subjects and issues from milkweed species to tagging butterflies to the changes seen in annual migrations. The Monarch Butterfly Migration Its Rise and Fall – In this informative and interesting book, we learn about the natural history of the monarch butterfly migration from 1976 to the present woven with a lot of cultural history and memoir.
In her book Plants with Purpose: Twenty-Five Ecosystem Multitaskers, Maeckle highlights the beauty and resilience of native plants while exploring how the natural world influences and enriches our daily lives. Beauty alone is no longer reason enough to choose a plant that will occupy valuable real estate in your landscape. Each plant in the book had to have a “Yes” answer to at least three of the following questions (in addition to being attractive):
- Can you eat it?
- Make tea from it?
- Does it serve wildlife? (e.g., providing habitat, food, or hosting pollinators)
- Does it taste good or provide a health benefit?
- Is it low maintenance?
- Does it have a fun story to tell? (e.g., historical use or interesting botanical features)
- Does it provide a unique landscape service? (e.g., erosion control, shade)
During the program, she will share insights from her books, answer audience questions, and reflect on her work as an advocate for pollinators and biodiversity.
Both books will be available for purchase and signing immediately following the presentation.
Tickets $35 - price includes a selection of wine & beer.
Author Bio:
Monika Maeckle is a writer, Master Gardener, pollinator advocate, Monarch tagger, and curious student of nature who loves the whole life cycle. She founded the annual San Antonio Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival in 2016 and founded the Texas Butterfly Ranch website in 2010. She is the author of The Monarch Butterfly Migration: Its Rise and Fall as well as Plants with Purpose: Twenty-Five Ecosystem Multitaskers.
Chandor Gardens Foundation is excited to present VOICES of Fort Worth’s "Where It All Began!" a cappella choral concert on April 11, 2026, at All Saints’ Church, 121 South Waco Street, Weatherford, TX at 3:00 PM. Doors will open for seating at 2:45 PM.
Ticket holders are invited to enjoy a pre-concert reception with "English Tea" style refreshments in Barlow Hall, located beside the church, starting at 2:00 PM.
VOICES of Fort Worth is a premier a cappella choral ensemble with 21 vocalists known for their exceptional vocal harmonies and moving performances. Under the direction of Dr. Jerome M. Bierschenk, the group has captivated audiences for 14 years with their rich sound and artistic expression.
The concert program will feature Dr. Bierschenk's favorite songs from VOICES of Fort Worth's repertoire. In honor of America's 250th Birthday, the group will perform the iconic patriotic song "America the Beautiful."
Chandor Gardens Foundation extends its gratitude to All Saints’ Church for allowing us to host this special concert in their historic church, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2026.
The connection between All Saints’ Church and Chandor Gardens is significant, as Douglas & Ina Chandor were members of the church, with their wedding and funeral services held there.
Tickets- $25 + fees
Dr. Jerome M. Bierschenk - Founder/Artistic Director
A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Dr. Jerome M. Bierschenk has been a music educator in Texas for over 45 years.
After earning a Bachelor's degree in music education, Dr. Bierschenk started a teaching career in instrumental music education and was a band director for 20 years. He taught in the Austin, Birdville, and Weatherford school districts, and in Weatherford where he was the Director of Bands as well as the Coordinator of Music for the district.
Bierschenk’s interest began to include voice and choral conducting, and after earning a Master's of music education and a Doctorate of musical arts in choral conducting from the University of North Texas, he began his tenure as Artistic Director of the Texas Boys Choir and as the Director of Fine Arts for the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts.
With both extensive experience as a tenor soloist and as a trumpet player, he has performed solo tenor roles with Schola Cantorum of Fort Worth, the University of North Texas Choirs, as well as various other groups in the Fort Worth community.
In 2021, he retired after serving as the chair of the Department of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Texas Wesleyan University.
SPONSORS:
It is with much appreciation that we wish to extend a heartfelt "Thank-you" to our sponsors for this event:
Performance:
Reception:
Chandor Gardens Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 114, Weatherford, Texas 76086
682-268-0102
Chandor Gardens
711 West Lee Avenue, Weatherford, Texas 76086
817-598-4334
www.chandorgardens.com
Chandor Gardens is on the National Register of Historic Places of the National Park Service.
The Chandor Gardens Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization.
Copyright ©2026 Chandor Gardens Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.
site search | site map | login | reset | website & hosting by Pro Epic