Ruth Bell Lane Memorial Garden at MOAH

The Ruth Bell Lane Memorial Garden

During the first decade of the 21st Century, MOAH restored the gardens of the Williams House, refurbishing the planting areas to include the plants that existed during the mid-twentieth century. The vegetable garden was restored and is now a working WWII era Victory Garden, following designs that appeared in a 1943 Sunset Magazine plan. In 2009 the planting area of the garden was rededicated as the Ruth Bell Lane Memorial Garden, honoring the mother of Sunset Magazine publishers Bill and Mel Lane. Like Dora Williams, Ruth Bell Lane was an avid gardener who especially enjoyed raising vegetables.	Ruth Bell Lane Memorial Garden dedication, 2009	The walkways of the garden have been restored and lined with the stones that originally marked the paths. The plants growing in the Victory Garden areas are rotated seasonally and harvested as they mature. Some of the fruit trees were planted by the Williams family. Museum visitors can explore the methods used by WWII era gardners to optimize production and minimize waste.
Victory Garden	MOAH's gardens are planted and maintained with a concern for the environment. Organic practices, limited use of power tolls and composting of garden trimmings are amonag the traditional practices we use. Drip irrigation and the use of waterwise plants where appropriate reduces water consumption. MOAH employs green practices throughout the organization where practicable.	Garden at Dedication
	Bill and Jean Lane at dedication of Ruth Bell Lane Memorial Garden