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The focus of the Chandor Gardens Foundation is to preserve the heritage of the Gardens and work with the City of Weatherford to further develop the Chandor property, in keeping with Douglas Chandor's artistic vision.

Douglas Chandor was one of the great portrait artists of the 20th Century. Five of his paintings are on display in the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery. His portrait of Eleanor Roosevelt is displayed in the White House, and his coronation portrait of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, graces the British Embassy in Washington, DC.

His passion for gardening and his artistry intertwined to be beautifully expressed in the gardens he created and named White Shadows. After the untimely death of Douglas in 1953, his wife, Ina, paid tribute to him by changing the name to Chandor Gardens.

Today, Chandor Gardens is a destination unto itself. It is the location of joyous events, memory-making occasions, and pleasant wanderings.

FEATURED 2026 FUNDRAISING EVENT:

5th Annual Secret Gardens of Parker County Tour June 6, 2026

Enjoy a self-guided journey through 8 unique gardens in Parker County. Discover what lies behind the hedges, fences, and gates!

The Friends of Chandor Gardens, part of Chandor Gardens Foundation Inc., are thrilled to present the 5th Annual Secret Gardens of Parker County Tour of eight gardens. Embark on a self-guided adventure through these seven hidden gems, each offering a unique and enchanting experience.

Uncover the beauty that lies beyond the hedges, fences and gates while wandering through these picturesque gardens. From tranquil oases to vibrant floral displays, each stop on the tour promises to inspire and delight.

The gardens can be visited in any order between the times of 9 am and 4:00 pm on Saturday, June 6. 2026.

Make your own itinerary, go at your own pace, and enjoy your time in these beautiful gardens.

Thank-you to our Sponsors! - We could not hold this event without your generous support.

** Proceeds benefit preservation and enhancement projects to Chandor Gardens reflecting the artistic vision of Douglas Chandor **

SNAPSHOT OF UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES:

Chandor Nature Trail “Spruce Up” Every 4th Saturday 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM

Please consider volunteering for the Chandor Nature Trail “Spruce Up” from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m every 4th Saturday at Chandor Gardens, hosted by the Crosstimbers Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas.

Interested volunteers can contact Cross Timbers trail steward Christie Tull, at or call 817-307-9307.

FYI - Volunteer hours count towards Texas Master Naturalist and Texas Master Gardeners.

About the Trail: Chandor Nature Trail, located at Chandor Gardens, is just under one mile long and is open for hikers and their leashed dogs free of charge during Chandor Garden hours.

VOICES of Fort Worth "Where It All Began!" Concert - All Saints' Church - April 11, 2026

Chandor Gardens Foundation is excited to present VOICES of Fort Worth’s "Where It All Began!" a cappella choral concert on April 11, 2026, at All Saints’ Church, 121 South Waco Street, Weatherford, TX at 3:00 PM. Doors will open for seating at 2:45 PM.

Ticket holders are invited to enjoy a pre-concert reception with "English Tea" style refreshments in Barlow Hall, located beside the church, starting at 2:00 PM.

VOICES of Fort Worth is a premier a cappella choral ensemble with 21 vocalists known for their exceptional vocal harmonies and moving performances. Under the direction of Dr. Jerome M. Bierschenk, the group has captivated audiences for 14 years with their rich sound and artistic expression.

The concert program will feature Dr. Bierschenk's favorite songs from VOICES of Fort Worth's repertoire. In honor of America's 250th Birthday, the group will perform the iconic patriotic song "America the Beautiful."

Chandor Gardens Foundation extends its gratitude to All Saints’ Church for allowing us to host this special concert in their historic church, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2026.

The connection between All Saints’ Church and Chandor Gardens is significant, as Douglas & Ina Chandor were members of the church, with their wedding and funeral services held there.

Friends of Chandor Gardens Members Activity: Tour to Cleburne, TX - April 15, 2026

focg cleburne day trip april2026 w

Friends of Chandor Gardens Members are invited to a day tour on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 of the following locations in Cleburne, TX:

Layland Museum of History - 11:00 A.M. (201 N.Caddo St.) - Housed in one of the last remaining original Carnegie library buildings. In 1900, the Women’s Club of Cleburne contacted steel industrialist Andrew Carnegie for assistance in building a library for the community. Carnegie, a champion of libraries, contributed $20,000 to the project, which the community then matched. The building opened on May 25th,1905. It is a Greek Revival style building featuring ionic columns with ornamental necking. It became a museum in 1963. Our group will have a docent lead tour of the museum.

Polo Rosa Vineyard & Winery - 2:00 P.M. (1335 E FM 4, Cleburne). Owner Donna Patrick is opening the Tasting Room (a heritage building) exclusively for our group. Wine tastings and bottles of wine will be available for purchase. FYI - Donna & Duane Patrick were the guest speakers at the Nov, 2025 Friends Meeting.

The drive to Cleburne is about 40 miles from Weatherford, TX, so allow enough time so that you can arrive at the Leyland Museum just prior to our 11:00 am booking. Note: The museum doesn't open until 11:00 am.

**IMPORTANT ** - Members please register for this tour by April 13, 2026 with Nancy Wester - 972-746-6078 (call or text). Let Nancy know whether you are going to want to purchase a Tasting Flight at Polo Rosa Winery

Wine & Words: Monika Maeckle - The Monarch Butterfly Migration: Its Rise and Fall - April 25

Raising awareness and understanding of wildlife pollinators and the ecosystems that sustain them – and us!

Join us for our ongoing “Wine & Words” Speaker Series the evening of Saturday, April 25, 2026 in the Great Room at Chandor Gardens, Weatherford, TX to hear an inspiring author talk with conservationist, journalist, and nature writer Monika Maeckle. Maeckle will discuss her book “The Monarch Butterfly Migration: It’s Rise & Fall” and will also highlight her latest book “Plants with Purpose: Twenty-Five Ecosystem Multitaskers”

Monika will share with us her journey from curiosity to involvement about monarch butterfly migrations that touch on a variety of subjects and issues from milkweed species to tagging butterflies to the changes seen in annual migrations. The Monarch Butterfly Migration Its Rise and Fall – In this informative and interesting book, we learn about the natural history of the monarch butterfly migration from 1976 to the present woven with a lot of cultural history and memoir.

During the program, she will share insights from her books, answer audience questions, and reflect on her work as an advocate for pollinators and biodiversity.

Both books will be available for purchase and signing immediately following the presentation.

Wine & Music: Opus Nova Chamber Music Series - "Homage to Benny Goodman" - Tuesday, May 5

Chandor Gardens Foundation is excited to have Opus Nova Chamber Music Series returning to the Great Room at Chandor Gardens on Tuesday, May 5th at 7:00 PM with a "Homage to Benny Goodman". The musicians for this chamber music concert will be; Daniel Anastasio (piano), Stas Chernyshev (clarinet), and Ann Hung (clarinet).