University of Delaware Office of Public Relations The Messenger Vol. 5, No. 1/1995 Recognition: A Special Report Garden Volunteers Keep Restoration Project Growing The historic Goodstay Gardens, located on the University's Wilmington campus, are being put to good use, thanks, in large part, to Helen Eliason, who has been tirelessly promoting the gardens since 1987, as well as pulling weeds, trimming hedges and watering plants alongside her husband, Doug, and other dedicated volunteers. Eliason and Sidney Craven of Wilmington are co-chairing the Friends of Goodstay Gardens. The volunteer group hopes to raise $300,000 to refurbish and maintain the formal gardens, where pink- flowering magnolia trees arch gracefully over a gravel walkway that leads to a circular reflecting pool. The property, established around 1740 as part of the Green Hill Farm, was later renamed Bon Sejour, or Goodstay. During much of this century, they were owned by artist Ellen du Pont (Meeds) Wheelwright and her husband, Robert, a landscape architect. The Wheelwrights installed hundreds of flowers-from peonies and roses to irises and azaleas-in colonial-style garden "rooms." They donated the property to the University in 1968. The gardens now complement the adjacent S. Samuel and Roxana C. Arsht Hall, home of the Academy of Lifelong Learning. After retiring from the DuPont Co. in 1984, Eliason became involved in local gardening clubs. That's how she came to the Goodstay Gardens. "Helen's commitment to the garden is a great asset to the University," according to UD horticulturist Mike Weaver. "Restoring the garden is hard work, but she has a great talent for keeping us all inspired." Within the next couple of years, Eliason says, aging plants will be replaced and the grounds will be redesigned so that lifelong-learning students can walk through a lower garden en route to classes. "Our goal is to retain the flavor of the original gardens," Eliason explains. "Mrs. Wheelwright liked unique color combinations and we want to respect that aspect of the gardens." The project is time-consuming, and Eliason spends many mornings preparing newsletters and working with other volunteers. "I'd rather wear out than rust out," she says, laughing. "I love for people to enjoy the gardens." More donations and volunteers are urgently needed, she says. For additional information, call John M. Clayton Jr. assistant director for administrative services in the Office of University Development, (302) 831-2104; contact Eliason at (302) 573-4450; or write to Friends of Goodstay Gardens, in care of the Goodstay Center, 2600 Pennsylvania Ave., Wilmington, DE 19806.