Cohen-Bray House

Victorian Preservation Center of Oakland
1440 29th Ave. Oakland

Board of Directors

President
Lois Roach 

Vice-President
Karin Sidwell

Treasurer 
Patty Reidenbach 

Recording Secretary 
Dorothy Mason

Patty Donald
Hank Dunlop 
Chris Gilliland 
Paul Roberts
Lorie Shay

Emeriti
Barbara Donald
Mike Reidenbach 

Garden Restoration

THE GARDENS AT THE COHEN-BRAY HOUSE

Starting Spring 2000, volunteers turned their attention to reviving the gardens surrounding the Cohen-Bray House. Work is constantly underway.

 Inventory and Research. The current state of the garden is being documented and inventoried. Information has been collected about the garden's history and appearance through old photos and oral histories with family members. The status of the aged, towering deciduous trees that essentially define the landscape has been established through arborist consultation. For all of this data collection The Garden Conservancy has provided invaluable guidance.

 Ongoing Maintenance. Care of existing plantings, no matter what changes are anticipated in the garden, must continue. The Committees' work includes removal of overgrowth, general upkeep, re-definition of original paths with brick edging, installation of drip irrigation system, and pruning and shaping of existing trees. 

Rehabilitation of the Front Garden. A design has been developed that both incorporates remaining elements of the old garden and is compatible with the known look of California Victorian gardens.  A fence across the front of the property and security/decorative lighting have been added.

Our work is done entirely with volunteer effort. We could use your arms, legs, and backs for garden work that includes: raking, weeding, pruning, ivy removal, feeding, mulching, brick laying, planting, hauling. We would also be grateful for donations of the following:  cash  for supplies, old bricks, garden rocks, period garden ornament, drip irrigation supplies, lawn/leaf trash bags, terra cotta pots, planting mix, soil amendments, and plants - especially survivors from old California gardens that you may be discarding. Don't throw any plants away . Call us first. (510) 317-6788. Come join us in the garden! Links: The Garden Conservancy California Garden and Landscape History Society Bay Area Association of Historic House Museums 
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Cohen-Bray House

Web Master: [email protected]
Date Last Modified: 10/31/05