The 10th anniversary of the Neely-Soames Historic Homestead

This year marks the 10th anniversary of a ribbon-cutting ceremony that opened up the Neely-Soames Historic Homestead to the public for the first time.

The King County Master Gardeners, whose members maintain the heritage gardens and grounds, will help Kent Parks, Recreation & Community Services celebrate with special activities at the annual public open house and tour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, August 20.

The homestead is located along the Green River Trail at 5311 S. 237th Place, just north of the Russell Road Athletic Complex.

David Neely and his family settled in the Kent valley in 1854 and moved their home to its current location in 1885.  NeelyÕs daughter Ruby was born in the house in 1895, and after she married Harry Soames, the couple lived there until her death in 1986.  The bed she was born in, hand-carved by her father, is on display at the home.

One of the oldest houses in Kent, the Neely-Soames Homestead was listed on the State Register of Historic Homes in 1977.  It underwent significant renovations in 1999 and 2000, supported by the Washington State Historical Society, King County and the city of Kent. Eagle Scout projects added an informational kiosk, a grape arbor with benches, a picket fence, a trellis for hops, picnic tables and historic photographs.

The home can be rented for meetings and small events.  But the gardens are open to the public year-round, with all flowers and vegetables clearly marked.  Since 2004, employees of Hawkeye Consultants, a Kent-based company, have volunteered to help the Master Gardeners harvest the gardens and do other projects as part of the cityÕs Adopt-a-Park program.

For more information about the open house or to receive a self-guided walking tour of the gardens, call 253-856-5110.