The public is being given a rare opportunity to tour one of Bermuda's historic estates on Saturday.

The Garden Club of Bermuda is hosting a gala party in the grounds of 'Mayflower' in Devonshire, as part of its celebration of Bermuda's 400th anniversary.

The event, appropriately entitled 'Mayflower in Bloom', will allow residents and visitors to enjoy the fine collection of furniture and paintings in the home, as well as the many beautiful floral displays created especially for the occasion by skilled Garden Club members.

Look out too, for the possible appearance of the phantom lady of 'Mayflower' in floral form.

The gracious residence is the home of William (Bill) and Rosanna Cox, and was built in the late 19th century by William Cox, an ancestor of the present owner. It was also the home of Freer Cox, a founding member and the first president of the Garden Club of Bermuda.

Among its furnishings are several items made by the present owner from Bermuda cedar cut from the property, as well as paintings by Mrs. Cox's son, well-known artist Henry Ward.

A special feature of the house is the three-storey tower which includes a widow's walk so-called because this is where a wife would wait, often in vain, for her husband to return from the sea. Saturday's visitors will be invited to climb up and see both the North and South Shores.

'Mayflower' sits in ten acres of grounds which will be the scene of a host of garden-related activities, mostly under canvas in case of inclement weather.

Flower arranging demonstrations will take place at 11.45 a.m., 12.45 p.m., 1.45 p.m., and 2.45 p.m. and include suggestions on how to deal with a bouquet of flowers purchased from a supermarket.

Plants, grown predominantly by Garden Club members, will be on sale, as well as especially imported orchids. Vanda, Cattleya and Phalaenopsis have been flown in bare root (without soil) and potted up in the appropriate mix. Flower arranging supplies and gardening necessities will also be sold.

Fashion shows are scheduled for 12.15 p.m. and 2.15 p.m., when Garden Club members will model everything from swimsuits to evening wear. Here, too, a floral theme will prevail in the form of hand-made accessories.

Floral hats created by members of the Hibiscus Garden Club will be on display in the little old Bermudian cottage on the property, and the public is invited to enter into the spirit of spring by wearing their own flower-adorned hats.

Live music will enhance the overall party atmosphere. And, of course, no garden party would be complete without tea or coffee and homemade cakes, scones and sandwiches, all of which will be sold in the refreshment tent.

While 'Mayflower in Bloom' is one of the Garden Club's ways of celebrating Bermuda's special anniversary in an enjoyable and fun way, it is also a fundraiser for horticulture-related scholarships and environmental projects.

Past scholarship recipients who have returned to the Island to plough back their knowledge and talents include terrestrial conservation officer Jeremy Madeiros; former director of Agriculture Ed Manuel; curator of the Botanical Gardens Neville Richardson; Botanical Gardens education officer Steve Burgess; assistant park planner Jameka Kelly; senior plant protection officer Terri Lyn Thompson and plant protection officer Claire Jessey, of the Department of Environmental Protection; and well-known organic farmer Tom Wadson.

Past fundraising efforts have also allowed the Garden Club to make substantial contributions to both 'Buy Back Bermuda' projects.

This year, in addition to the 'Mayflower in Bloom' anniversary project, the club has placed 15 floral hanging baskets in St. George's on the Town Square, Ordnance Island and Water Street, where they will remain until December, with three basket rotations during that time.

'Mayflower in Bloom' takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please note: parking is at Saltus Lower Primary School field only, after which follow the signs for the short walk to the house. There will be no parking at 'Mayflower'. Those travelling by bus should take No. 3 to Middle Road, Devonshire, and alight at the Locust Lane and Watlington Road West stop. For further information visit www.gardenclubbermuda.org.