Clyde Smith of the Wake Audubon Society led our early morning bird hike for two intrepid birders. Sunrise was clear and the birds were out, but that soon changed and rain began to fall.
With tour leaders in place and all the displays cowering on the front porch of the Ray house, we waited out the rain. It slowed and I led an umbrella tour for the several folks who were anxious to see the farm (and then get back to the warmth of their homes!)
The rain then let up and tables and displays were quickly set up. People came and tours went, Wildflower, Geology, Zeagle’s Rock and of course B.W. Wells.
The sun teased us a few times and the children’s activities were set up just in time for the crowds of families. About 25 kids undertook the scavenger hunt game, and another 25-30 participated in the pine needle paint brush game. The resulting paintings were of excellent quality. B.W. would have been proud.
Several kids and adults tried their luck placing plants in the right community on the giant NC Natural Gardens map. The only person to get a perfect score was our intrepid Kids Ecology Hike leader Deborah Robertson.
Somewhere in the middle of all the fun, we were quickly reminded of the forecast. A enormous black cloud crossed the lake heading our way. Back went the displays and tables, but nobody could have predicted what happened next. HAIL, well, sleet technically. Pea sized chunks of ice fell down. Most of us were already under the porch of the Ray House and were safe and rather enjoying the site. All the people on the canoe tour that just launched were probably not that happy.
The sky quickly cleared and the rest of the day was chilly but dry. Hikes and tours continued, as did all the children's games.
And just as the last geology tour was coming back, the sky darkened once more. We put everything away for good and went home to dry out.
One of my co-workers put it well when he told me that the Corps of Engineers called and requested that we conduct a B.W. Wells Heritage Day every weekend...until the drought is over!
SEE WEB PAGE WITH PICTURES
- Brian Bockhahn
With many good suggestions, the selected winner was Ian O’Gorman, age 14, who came up with the name “Lizard Leaf”.
Thanks to Johnny Randall for bringing this year’s specimen. It’s true identity is Jacob’s Ladder Polemonium reptans.
There were many excellent paintings; these kids really learned how to use these brushes! The Trout Lily was the favorite to paint, but others colored the Smokehouse and Zeagle’s Rock.
It was very difficult to select a winner, and next year we will have to have age classes. But give a huge round of applause to our painter of the year, Tori Bowman, pictured left. Thanks to Denise Heffner and Patti Ray for running this very messy activity.
Edna was B.W. Wells first wife and a native of Nebraska. In 1919 they moved to North Carolina and traveled the state studying the natural areas and falling in love with the diversity of its flora.
Edna was a botanist and brought botany and ecology to her teachings in Raleigh. While teaching at Broughton High School she discovered a small park between the school and their house on Park Drive.
Edna Started a science club at Broughton, and enlisted its help in transplanting ferns and flowers into this park. She very much wanted to see the park used as an outdoor learning laboratory.
At one point B.W. labeled the plants and trees with metal tags, and trails laced through the property. Sadly, vandals destroyed most of the signs, and neighbors dug out most of the plants.
Becoming ill after an operation, Edna passed away in February of 1938. A few weeks later the city of Raleigh officially named the small park after her.
Some 50 years later the park still holds a great deal of charm and bountiful flora. Several picturesque entrances bring you to the heart of the park along the Pigeon House Branch River.
Huge oaks and pines dominate the west bank, with ferns and daffodils growing in their shadow. The east bank has thickets of cane, a huge sycamore, and odder than odd, redwood trees! Several sequoia sempervirens, planted in the 1980’s, are growing strong.
In bloom profusions of daffodil, Eastern Redbud and a rose bush just finishing up. Ivy and ornamental hollies bring you back to present times.
A metal arch bridge crosses the river, which is one of the most urban streams in Raleigh. Where it crosses under Clark Avenue a massive pool forms at the base of the culvert. The river then scours away at the bank leaving several feet of exposed bank. The river then passes a gauging station and under Forest Drive. Here it starts to resemble a riverway in Venice. With houses and yards on each bank, concrete retaining walls were installed, along with concrete check dams. Apparently this little river can flood profoundly and raise several feet up its banks.
Crossing the park and walking along Park Drive you can find the rock wall B.W. built around his home. The home has long since burned down and been replaced with another; but the rock wall runs for over 350 feet along Park Drive. It is in very good repair and the neighbors have many flowers growing along the wall.
Parking is along West Johnson Street near the grassy, open area. A lone picnic table sits near a sequoia tree, and a few other benches line the banks of the river.
Several of the old trees could be nominated for the Wake County Capital Tree Program. I’m very curious about the Redwoods!
So, is anyone interested yet in a field trip next spring to this little gem?
SEE PHOTOS ON WEB PAGE
- Brian Bockhahn
The B.W. Wells Collection consists of three boxes and two separate items/boxes. One item was an album of photographs either left in B.W.’s office or donated by Dr. Troyer and others. There were photographs of paintings from an art show for his 90th birthday party. Some other unique photos showed B.W. atop Zeagles Rock with three of his dogs, and the studio.
The second item/box was the collection of 485 lantern slides. These slides were photos B.W. took in the 1920’s, many of which were hand tinted by B.W. himself. The entire collection will be scanned in and made available on a computer at the library.
Two of the three archival boxes contained papers, mostly B.W.’s and Troyers work on ecology and other fields. The library had many bound copies of B.W.’s work that we have unbound in our collection.
The most interesting for me was the third box which was labeled “personal”. It contained some Wells family information, as well as a folder each on Edna Metz Wells and Maude Wells. Maude was actually the third police woman in the city of Raleigh, and B.W. actually named a lake after her in the Holly Shelter area. She used the spelling “Ziegle’s” Rock, while B.W. consistently used “Zeagle’s”.
Another great find in the personal file was a copy of a poem/letter that B.W. wrote to the children (Rays, I think.) It contains the two poems that I routinely recite during the history hikes! The seven page poem talks about the house, the farm and the Rock Cliffs. It is absolutely wonderful to hear Uncle Bert describe life and times on the farm in his own words. I think he’d be proud of us and how much we’ve done.
- Brian Bockhahn
As we’re growing we are in need of help on each of our project committees. Many of these are a committee of one, and will need any help that is out there.
Archiving: help is needed on various work days cleaning and preserving historical materials and heirlooms.
Buildings: could use anyone with architectural experience or contacts with a construction company.
Grounds: if you can use a chainsaw or even a garden hoe, you can lend a hand with the ongoing projects.
Public Relations: Help with various promotions and events outside the park.
Education: field trip leaders and researchers are needed.
Ways and Means: anyone with contacts or experience working with non-profit organizations are sought.
Membership: it’s not just licking stamps, we need help with membership drives and recruitment.
Please consider helping in one or more areas, thank you!
If you have any information about the following please contact Brian Bockhahn at 676-1027, or email Brian.Bockhahn@ncmail.net
Naming of Ziegle’s Rock
Moonshine Trail rock markers
History of John Davis
History of Wyatt Mangum
Lowery home sites
Pet Cemetery information
Personal information on Edna Metz Wells, Maude Wells or the early members of the B.W. Wells Association.
PO Box 1901
Wake Forest NC 27588