A Walk Through Jacksonville's Cummer Gardens

Take a walk with me down this path, hold my hand while I guide you to one of the secrets of this city and discover a tiny world where life flourishes and spreads its arms graciously to share its wealth with you.

Take a walk with me, relax and slow down while we discover this garden together...

I believe a place worth your time in the city of Jacksonville, FL is The Cummer Museum of Arts and Gardens. It is a well-known museum here so it is not an actual secret. If you live in Jacksonville and have not yet visited or are planning on coming to Jacksonville, I strongly recommend taking time to stop by. It is one of this city's beautiful treasures, rich in history and art. I think the Cummer Gardens is the shining gem of the museum; it captured my eye and my heart and continues to take my breath away no matter how many times I walk through it.

I was introduced to this museum back in college when I was taking an art class. We were required to visit the gallery to work on projects and experience art that coincided with our lessons. During one visit, I stumbled into the gardens and instantly fell in love with its charm and subtle wonders. That was over a decade ago and I have been coming back ever since to stumble upon it some more and take in all it has to offer.

Facts and Information about Cummer Gardens:

• "The Gardens were created by one of Jacksonville's most prominent families who settled in Florida in the early 1900s. Arthur Cummer and his brother, Waldo Cummer, came from a long line of Michigan lumber barons."
• Ninah Cummer is the patron of the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens
• It is located on the banks of the St. Johns River
• Its history goes back over 100 years
• Features include live oak trees, rare horticultural specimens, reflecting pools, fountains, arbors, scupltures and more
• "The jewel in the crown of The Cummer Gardens is the Italian Garden, one of only a handful of extant gardens designed by Ellen Biddle Shipman."
• The gardens is home to a 175-200-year-old oak tree, Cummer Oak.
• The Gardens are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
• The museum hosts special events throughout the year including concerts
• Weddings can also be held at the Gardens

You can find more information on the Cummer Gardens' website: http://www.cummer.org/gardens-history

I Found a Place

I found a place where the grass is green on all sides; it grows lavish and lush, dew-stained, glistening in abundance.

I found a place where you look upon the wise old trees in awe. Their roots are rooted firmly, standing solid and loyal in the ground, pleased to be where they stand, forever, until they are forced to leave.

What sorrow! What sadness! What a solemn day that day will be if it ever came to be...

I found a place where flowers blossom, open wide, bloom graciously, inviting you into their magical world where peace lies, whisking you away with the warmth of their welcome.

I found a place where the refreshing breeze sways around you, enticing you to stay longer, to close your eyes, open your heart to the beauty of Mother Nature.

I found a place she holds dear, a place She kindly shares her wealth with you, asking only for your respect in return.

I found a place where her shining glory comes alive through the beauty that surrounds you here, persuading you that this world you stepped in is a sort of dreamy wonderland.

I found a place where gentle wind whispers in your ear, tickles your mind to relax, to lay down in the green grass, to stare into the glittering river while you leave your worries and troubles behind.

I found a place where a camera can not capture its true magnificence, only catching snippets of the bigger picture like partial sentences that do not make up the whole story of a book.

I found a place where artists sit under the trees, beneath the moving shadows, to seek inspiration; a place where creative thinkers gaze, wonder among the wonders here and meditate so that they may gain fresh ideas that light up their thoughts.

I found a place where families come to escape from daily chaos that life delivers; a place to pause where the reflective pools reveal the truth: that their efforts and sacrifices are appreciated.

I found a place where you can steal away a few moments to breathe in fresh air, to recharge so that you can take a step back without falling backwards. Instead, this place offers you strength to move forward.

I found a place where lovers can walk hand in hand to dream about the future, to whisper sweet nothings in each other's ear; their love feeding the joy that waits here, yearning to be nourished with happy feelings.

I found a place where children can frolick freely through sweet-scented flowers that gaze and sprinkle smiles upon them, rejoicing in their ringing voices.

I found a place where a father can stop time if only for a moment, to pay gratitude to the sun shining another day while he spends quality time with his children, forgetting the exhaustion that plagues him, the tired bones that see no end.

I found a place where a mother sees clearly the vision before her, hoping to hold on tightly to the memory, imprison it in her heart, never to be released as she wishes time would stand still and offer a thousand more sweet moments like this.

I found a place that showers you with gold and riches in its own small but magnificent way.

Some secrets are worth revealing ...

As you can from the pictures, the landscape of the gardens is pure eye candy, dazzling with glistening pools, fountains and statues. The scene lures you into its vibrant world of nature's canvas. You can find peace, calm, romance, wonder, inspiration and inner joy here as you take the time to walk its paths or sit still for awhile among its many benches.

Bring your camera and take lots of photos to reminisce on your experience. I have many memories within these gardens with my husband and children so it holds a sacred place in my heart. I can never tire of taking pictures here, finding a new spot to snap a smile or capture a sweet moment.

I invite you to escape into this world alone or share it with someone special.

Either way, I believe you have to see if for yourself to truly appreciate its value and worth!

©BNadyn 2013