Save the Judy Garland Birthplace Garden from Sale

For many years, the garden next to the Judy Garland Birthplace was owned by the adjacent nursing home. Recently the nursing home was sold. Now the owner of the property has given the Museum 20 days or less to buy this property, otherwise it will be sold.


 The garden is an important part of the Judy Garland Museum. It has been designed for use as a Wizard of Oz park for children. There are many beautiful trees and flowers, which make it lovely for persons of every age to visit. There has even been talk of adding a yellow brick road.



Travelers often stop here with their children. The beauty of the garden is also seen from the windows of the Judy Garland birthplace, making a visit to the house an experience that takes the visitor back to a more peaceful time.




The owner of the property is asking for $167,000 – raised in from $120,000 a few years ago. The price of the garden is not something the non-for-profit Judy Garland Children’s Museum can afford. Summer months in northern Minnesota are when the majority tourist visit us. The rest of the year, the Museum is sustained by memberships and grants which bring over 3,000 school children to play, learn and to visit “Dorothy’s house,” an experience educating them about the life and times of Judy Garland – then Frances Gumm.


The loss of this beautiful garden unthinkable.  The property begins only ten feet from the house. Imagine this beautiful garden being bulldozed and a parking lot, fast food restaurant or business next door taking its place. The view from Judy’s home would be forever changed and the garden, open free of charge and enjoyed by so many families would be no more. The idea is truly unbearable.


                                            If we do not save the garden, it will end just along the edge of these
                                                                                       bushes. All else will be gone.

We are truly sorry, while in the midst of asking for money for the Judy Garland Birthplace repair, we have to resort to asking for more help, but we have no choice. While the Museum board is trying to get the price down, at present this is an example of what needs to happen:

167 donations of $1, 0000 each; 1,670 donations of $100 each or 16,700 donations of $10 each.

This is not an easy climb, but miracles do happen. Please spread the word!

PS: If we should not raise enough to save the garden, we offer you your choice – your money back or passing it on to repair Judy’s house.

Thank you again for your generosity.


The Judy Garland Children's Museum is a 501(3) (c) non-profit museum.                                             All donations are tax deductible.