The John P, Humes Japanese Stroll Garden, Mill Neck, LI, NY

Here we are at the entrance of the John P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden, a wonderful hidden gem on the North Shore that should not be missed.  Susan and Rob returned here since leaving Nassau County almost 4 years ago now.  They brought me with them so that I could get some idea of how lovely and quiet these gardens really are.  I was so impressed that I'm writing about it now.

Inside the Tea House

In 1960, Ambassador and Mrs. John P. Humes created this garden after returning from a trip to Japan.  He purchased a Tea House later that year and hired a Japanese American couple, Douglas and Joan DeFaya to transform two acres of woodland into a beautiful Japanese stroll garden.

At the suggestion of a landscape designer to preserve the garden,  Mr. Humes hired director Stephen Morrell in 1981 to rehabilitate the garden with the intention of opening it to the public..  Extensive additions were made, which expanded the gardens original two acres into four.  Finally, in 1986, the garden did open to the public, but something was missing.    Even with the extensive additions made by Mr. Morrell, it was discovered that more resources were needed if the garden was to succeed and in 1993, the Garden Conservancy assumed management.

A grant by the Japan World Exposition Commemorative Fund was awarded to the garden in 1997 and was successfully matched by the Garden Conservancy together with the Humes Foundation and Friends of the Humes Japanese Stroll Garden to restore the pond and waterfall.  The project was completed the following year.

The stroll garden should be used as a quiet place to reflect and meditate, losing all cares and worries from the outside world, creating an inner peace within..  Here you are one with the garden.

One of the fountains in the garden

A tea ceremony is held inside the Tea House on certain days of the month.  The tea ceremony is an important part of the Japanese lifestyle and a spiritual exchange between host, guest and the environment.  It is also a ceremony of friendship.  On Susan's first visit to the gardens, she was invited inside to take part.  

Outside the Tea House

So if you are around the area, please do not miss this fabulous Japanese stroll gardens in a beautiful section of Long Island. 

Here are some links:


Wikipedia article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_P._Humes_Japanese_Stroll_Garden


Article in the NY Gardening Examiner:
http://www.examiner.com/gardening-in-new-york/the-john-p-humes-japanese-stroll-garden

another article:
http://www.jgarden.org/gardens.asp?ID=347