Master Gardeners volunteers keep Gold Museum flowers beautiful

Special to The Nugget by Sandy Chapman / GAMMG Master Gardener ------------  On the almost sunny west side of the smallest Georgia historic site lives a garden that has an impressive community history of its own.
The site of the first major gold rush in the United States almost two hundred years ago, Dahlonega draws thousands of visitors each week to the quaint downtown square with its 1800’s mining town atmosphere and slow pace.
The centerpiece of the square is the Dahlonega Gold Museum, housed in one of the oldest remaining county courthouses in Georgia, built in 1836.
At just a quarter acre, the Dahlonega Gold Museum is the smallest official Georgia Historic Site.
Inside, it shares with visitors the history of the area’s gold rush era. A close-up view of bricks made from local clay reveals the sparkle of gold dust.
But there is more history outside on the grounds of the Gold Museum.  On the west side where the sunlight peeks through trees is a garden salvaged from pot holes and a parking lot.
Local legend suggests the pot holes collected gold dust and a nugget or two after a good rain back in the rush days.  Today, golden hued flowers take their place.
For the last few years the Georgia Mountains Master Gardeners (GAMMG) with support from Friends of the Dahlonega Gold Museum (FODGM) and the Gold Diggers garden club have worked to revive the museum grounds.  
Because the museum grounds are Georgia state property, they are not maintained by the City but are lovingly nurtured, weeded and planted by Donna Buchanan and other members of GAMMG.  
On any given Wednesday, Buchanan can be seen in visor and gloves making sure the museum grounds shine as brightly as the gold inside.
“The Gold Museum grounds are the focal point of downtown Dahlonega and we are working to create a welcoming impression for our many visitors,” said Buchanan.
Her predecessor, Nicole Angell, accepted responsibility for planting and upkeep of the museum gardens in 2020 and was responsible for establishing the bones of the gardens.
“Nothing beats working on the Dahlonega Gold Museum grounds for the chance to not only care for the plantings there, but also for the amazing interactions one has with the public,” said Angell.
With thousands of annual visitors enjoying the museum and grounds, the upkeep just to mitigate foot damage is constant, especially after festivals. This is one reason for the liberal use of pine bark in landscaping.
The trees surrounding the square provide dappled shade for much of the year but limit plant options to those that prefer some shade.  
The gold-dusted pot holes and parking lot were transitioned to a patio and planting bed years ago but are still evolving with plants chosen for the unique location.  
The current seasonal design has the characteristics of English garden style with an informal structure, layered plantings and a variety of flowers.
A tour around the museum includes stories of plants donated by gardeners and organizations.  
Lenten roses donated from a local man’s woods, Connie Monroe’s hydrangeas and daylilies donated from local gardeners all grow there.
There is even lavender in homage to the local lavender farm. Tickseed, echinacea and St. John’s wort from Buchanan’s own garden and her sister’s yard in North Carolina adorn the layered garden.  
Roses and other plants were donated by Gold Diggers garden club and FODGM.   It is this volunteer spirit of combining resources to improve and maintain that makes the museum gardens an impressive part of community history.
GAMMG is a volunteer partner of the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service to enhance horticultural efforts.  In 2022, GAMMG members donated over 2,000 hours of community service on projects throughout Lumpkin and Dawson counties.  
Whether teaching about plants or working in the garden at the Gold Museum and around town, Georgia Mountains Master Gardeners are giving back to the community.  
Community support and volunteerism have always been an important part of Dahlonega’s cache. From gathering gold to gild the state capitol dome to the movement to preserve Georgia’s smallest historic site, the best small town in Georgia delivers.
Next time you drive around the square and see Donna Buchanan or other master gardener volunteers tending to the garden, give them a wave. Or better yet, take a stroll around the museum grounds and enjoy the flowers.