The Tryon Garden Club is having a Free Day at Pearson’s Falls and Glen on Wednesday to celebrate its 90th anniversary.

The botanical preserve and waterfall features a 1/4 mile hike up the glen along tumbling Colt Creek to the 90-foot waterfall.

Pearson’s Falls docents will be on hand to answer questions. The park opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m., with last admission at 5 p.m.

No dogs are allowed, except service dogs. No swimming or wading is allowed on premises as well.

Those interested in learning more may visit pearsonsfalls.org or Facebook, or may call 828-749-3031.

The Tryon Garden Club began as a small group of men and women meeting in the 1920s to share gardening experiences and problems. Their objectives were the beautification of Tryon and the preservation of wildflowers in the area.

In 1924, under the leadership of avid conservationist Sarah Speed, the group became affiliated with the National Flower, Plant and Fruit Guild, and encouraged local people to grow plants and fruits.

In partnership with the Lanier Club (Library), this group sponsored speakers on gardening and conservation topics. It also hosted teas to raise money for the purchase of plants, flowers and fruit that would be distributed to shut-ins and patients at St. Luke’s Hospital.

The Tryon Garden Club was officially organized on Oct. 24, 1928, and Mrs. Minnie (J.B.) Hester was elected the club’s first president.

Early civic projects included sponsoring garden tours, hosting “Farm and Churchyard Improvement” contests, holding educational flower shows and planting dogwood trees, redbud trees and yellow jasmine along Highway 176 and at the Tryon Historic cemetery, Harmon Field and the Tryon Country Club.

– Submitted by Lucy Brannon