On Saturday, July 18, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., the gardens at the historic Major John Russ farmhouse, at 148 Head of Tide Road in Belfast, will be open to view, the third event of Belfast Garden Club’s 2026 Open Garden Days. Built in 1865, the home is now owned by Brit Ziegler and Phil Jacks, an architectural historian who frequently teaches courses on architecture for Belfast Senior College. 

"The colors in this lovely garden cause passersby to slow and look deeper," said Belfast Garden Club, in a news release. "The historic house is surrounded by foundational plantings chosen with thought and care and enhanced by vegetables mixed into the beds. A small flock of chickens and cats roam about in the cozy spaces created by full perennial beds, natural borders and large trees. A beautifully created frog pond pulls visitors into the stone patio area which is blocked from the road by distance and layers of trees, shrubs and perennials, and shaded by magnificent willows and quaking aspen. A solar shed was added to the site to increase efficiency and storage space."

Admission to the garden is a $5 donation that goes to support Belfast Garden Club’s many civic and educational programs in the local area.