The Strasburg Heritage Society's Secret Garden Tour will return to Strasburg from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 8, and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 9. Discounted tickets are available to purchase online and at various shops in Strasburg until Thursday, June 6, including Speckled Hen and Main Street Antiques. Additional tickets will be available on the day of the event at Strasburg Presbyterian Church, 101 S. Decatur St.

Each ticket holder may attend one or both days of the tour, which will be held rain or shine. Upon picking up a ticket, tourists will receive a list of all locations included in the tour, and they may visit the locations in any order. Owners of the featured gardens will be present to point out the qualities that make their property unique and to answer tourists' questions.

This year's Secret Garden Tour will include nine private gardens throughout Strasburg, as well as the community park. The Heritage Society revealed that the garden at Gonder Mansion, located on West Main Street, will also be included in the tour. The Queen Anne-style estate was built by Benjamin Gonder in the early 20th century, and it features elaborate Victorian-era architecture and a large garden.

"Anyone in the Strasburg area who wishes to share a garden with the community are welcome to be in the tour," said Heather Reynolds, who co-chairs the event with Anna Ranck. "It's a lot of fun, and it's a neat opportunity to bring people into our community."

The proceeds of the Secret Garden Tour will benefit the Strasburg Heritage Society. Founded in 1972, the organization's mission is to cultivate what it calls Strasburg's primary assets, including the authenticity of its historic town and cultural heritage. The group uses the acronym PEAR to define the four key elements of its mission: preservation of historic buildings and documents, education of local residents on the advantages of preserving the past, development of an appreciation for the area's culture and restoration of historic buildings. The Strasburg Heritage Society recently revamped its logo to feature a pear tree, one of the many fruits traditionally grown in Strasburg.

For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit https://tinyurl.com/secretgardentour2024.