Presby Memorial Iris Gardens Horticultural Center | |
Location | 474 Upper Mountain Avenue, Montclair, New Jersey |
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Coordinates | 40°51′5″N 74°12′23″W / 40.85139°N 74.20639°W |
Area | 7.8 acres (3.2 ha) |
Built | 1922 |
Architect | John Wister |
Architectural style | Second Empire |
NRHP reference No. | 80002483[1] |
NJRHP No. | 1171[2] |
Significant dates | |
Added to NRHP | September 17, 1980 |
Designated NJRHP | June 25, 1980 |
Presby Memorial Iris Gardens is a nonprofit, living museum specializing in iris flowers, located at 474 Upper Mountain Avenue, Montclair in Essex County, New Jersey, New Jersey, United States. The gardens are situated on 6.5 acres. Adjacent to the gardens is a Victorian house, the Walther House. The house is open to the public the hours are limited, the entrance has a seven step staircase and is home to a museum shop and headquarters for the Citizens Committee that oversees the gardens.
Following financial problems in 2008 and 2009, ownership of the gardens was transferred to Essex county, who bought the Walther House for $1.1 million in order to give the gardens a better financial standing. The county then leased the gardens back to the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens for $1. While Essex County owns the property, the actual iris beds are maintained without taxpayer funds. Rather, they are maintained by private donations.