Trudy's Garden
Matt
Boland’s vision of a living memorial for his sister Gertrude
Anne “Trudy” Boland has come to fruition. Trudy passed away
on March 5, 1995 after a ten-year battle with cancer. She always had
a love of the outdoors and at one time dreamed of working for the Park
Service or similar organization. This dream of being close to nature,
while not realized in her lifetime, is now realized in her
garden. Boland donated the garden and established an endowment to the
Reading Public Museum to maintain the garden in perpetuity.
After
two floods, snow, new storm drains and French drains, the special spot
chosen on the grounds of the Reading Public Museum’s 25-acre Arboretum
has been transformed into a stunning 15,000 sq. ft. garden. There is
a red brick heart-shaped pathway, plants, trees, bushes and flowers,
and a smaller heart that is visible through the grove of golden ash
trees. The last finishing touch will be a hill of wildflowers.
Visitors
will be treated to a visual symphony of hazelnut and poplar trees and
over 72 other varieties of trees, flowers and shrubs that have been
especially selected for their beauty and attractiveness to butterflies,
hummingbirds and songbirds. The garden also features a patio with a
3-ft. stone wall that is available for weddings, graduation photos and
other special moments to be photographed. Ron Roth, Director & CEO
of the Reading Public Museum comments, “Matt Boland's contribution
to the beautification of the Museum's Arboretum cannot be overstated.
The development of Trudy's Garden is one of the most important accomplishments
in the Arboretum in recent history. I think it is safe to say that Trudy's
Garden is one of the most beautiful public spaces in Berks County.”
Trudy
and Matt Boland, children of the late Dr. Matthew and Eleanor Boland
are originally from Reading and attended elementary and high school
in the city. The Reading Public Museum was chosen after a long search
and evaluation of many options. The final choice of the Museum grounds
was made because of the natural beauty of the location, the serenity
it afforded and the role the Museum played in the formative years of
the Boland children. Had Trudy lived, she intended to return to Reading
after her retirement.
Matt Boland, a retired political consultant formerly of Alexandria, Virginia, passed away on 4/13/09. He hoped that Trudy’s Garden would provide a place of enjoyment and comfort to all who visit, and encourage others to give back to their community. Thank you, Matt!