Heritage Garden
The Heritage Garden at North Star House
Explore the Heritage Garden at North Star House, a volunteer-tended landscape that reflects the history and character of the estate. Discover seasonal plantings, historic garden features, and the ongoing work to restore and care for this special part of the property.
When Arthur De Wint Foote wasn't managing the North Star Mine, he was an avid horticulturist — a passion that shaped how he thought about the land around his family's new home. He didn't leave behind a garden like the one that grows here today; for decades after the estate was vacated, the grounds were overgrown and neglected along with the house.
Starting in 2006, volunteers took on the grounds the same way they took on the restoration inside: bed by bed, with donated plants, borrowed tools, and a lot of Saturdays. The Heritage Garden they built isn't a recreation of anything that existed in Foote's time — it's a tribute to his legacy, planted by hand to give the estate a warm, cared-for landscape to match the house.
Today the garden is still planted and tended almost entirely by volunteers, and it remains open as a quiet counterpart to the house — a place to sit, walk, and see what a community can grow when it decides a place is worth the effort.
Explore the Grounds
A Few Favorite Spots
The Perennial Beds & Fountain
Seasonal perennials line the gravel paths near the old fountain — the section of the garden most actively tended by our volunteer crews.
The Roses
A rose garden tended by volunteers along the estate's gravel paths, in bloom for much of the year.
The Hedgerow
A long, shaded hedgerow bordering the grounds — one of the estate's quieter corners for a walk.
Environmental Stewardship
Caring for the Historic Landscape
Environmental stewardship at North Star House means caring for the land with the same thoughtfulness that guides the restoration of the house. Across the historic Grass Valley property, volunteers and community partners are working to protect mature trees, introduce water-wise native plants, create pollinator habitat, and support the long-term health of the landscape.
This work is strengthened by local businesses and conservation partners who share their knowledge, materials, and hands-on support. New Wave Green has helped guide ecological landscape projects, including the native hedgerow, while Acton Arboriculture supports the safety and long-term health of the estate's trees. The Xerces Society and the California Native Plant Society's Redbud Chapter have also contributed to native planting and pollinator habitat efforts.
Together, these volunteers, sponsors, and community organizations are helping North Star House preserve its historic setting while building a healthier, more sustainable landscape for the future.