Situated on four acres in Mockingbird Valley, the property belonging to the late Betty Kilgore Moss Gibbs is not only a highlight for this year’s
Kilgore Homes and Gardens Tour
— It encapsulates the essence. This year, her family has welcomed everyone into their home to commemorate her legacy and her influence on the community, highlighting her contributions through her estate and the counseling center named after her.
This year’s visitors can explore the house and gardens that were previously owned by Betty and her spouse George.
“She and her husband were sort of … hobbyist master gardeners themselves,” explained Susan Moss, who is married to Betty’s son Jack.
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Living legacy
In 1988, Betty established the Kilgore Samaritan Counseling Center with the aim of making counseling available to everyone, irrespective of their financial situation. Today, the center provides approximately 6,000 hours of therapy annually for individuals ranging from age 5 to 95.
“Nobody gets turned away,” Susan explained, noting that funds raised during the tour help offer scholarships to assist individuals unable to cover the cost of counseling services. She added, “Every ticket sold… makes a significant difference.”
This year’s tour holds particular significance for Betty’s family as they wish to honor Gibbs and commemorate two of her loves: the Kilgore Samaritan Counseling Center and her garden.
Secret space
Constructed in 1928 for Colonel Frank Thompson, who was the progenitor of Glenmore Distillery, this residence carries a distinctive history and features a hidden Prohibition-era speakeasy beneath its floors.
There used to be a location where you could take a coin and rub it against a specific area on the faux door,” Susan elaborated, “and that would lead to the basement.
This concealed basement provided guests with privacy for their indulgences—should they need to depart swiftly, a painting on the wall hid a covert passageway facilitating an effortless exit directly into the backyard.
The tunnel has subsequently been sealed off, as neither Betty nor George required its use following their joint purchase of the house.
They purchased the home when they got married… much later in their lives,”Susan mentioned. “They were 65.
The house still boasts its original Mississippi Swamp Sap Gum woodwork, but the pair undertook various updates to suit their requirements while maintaining the Tudor style’s aesthetic charm.
They fitted a new fireplace with an antique Welsh headboard serving as the mantel, and in the kitchen, they incorporated a custom-made mural to reminisce about their Italian honeymoon. Additionally, the pair put in new cabinetry to complement the original units found in the butler’s pantry, known for its German silver sink.
“Susan mentioned that they redesigned the kitchen to match the style of the house’s era,” she said.
Various additional interior finishes were specially crafted as well, such as draperies, carpets, and curtain rods, all of which were fitted with assistance from designer Libby Rush.
Bittners Inc
, 731 East Main Street
“Libby and Betty would head to the market with an eye toward ensuring all elements complemented each other,” Susan explained, adding that besides making new things for their home, they also integrated furnishings from both Betty’s and George’s former residences.
They installed an outdoor swimming pool and developed a beautiful garden which now boasts numerous plant species.
Lush landscape
We possess the authentic designs for the gardens,” Susan stated. “These were created by a landscape architect back in 1929. … Betty and George revitalized the garden to mirror the initial layout.
Currently, many pairs of hands contribute to keeping their vision thriving, which includes Elizabeth Kuhn, a skilled gardener holding a degree in botany, having been involved with the property since 2016.
“When I first launched my business, she was among my earliest customers,” Kuhn mentioned, noting that the garden houses a minimum of 300 different types of trees, shrubs, and plants.
“He had a real passion for trees,” she mentioned. As a professional forester, George dedicated himself to the national initiative aimed at revitalizing the population of American chestnut trees. He collaborated with various community organizations to create hybrid varieties.
The garden is segmented into various zones. One area is dedicated to a white garden filled with azaleas, mock oranges, and dwarf Solomon’s seal; another part showcases a woodland section highlighting indigenous varieties such as mayapples and wood poppies; and remnants of George’s organic vegetable patch can also be found. Rare and elusive flora—such as the dwarf Solomon’s seal—were obtained from exclusive nurseries and similar specialized locations.
North Carolina’s Plant Delights Nursery
.
(There are also many varieties of trees,)” Kuhn mentioned additionally. “I believe that’s what gives this property such uniqueness.
Have you come across a house that would be perfect for our Home of the Week feature? Please email writer Lennie Omalza at aloha@lennieomalza.com or Lifestyle Editor Kathryn Gregory at kgregory@gannett.com.
nuts & bolts
Owner
This is the estate belonging to the late Betty Kilgore Moss Gibbs.
Home
This four-bedroom, five full baths, and two half baths, 6,480-square-foot Tudor residence is located in Mockingbird Valley. The property dates back to 1928.
Distinctive elements:
Wall paintings evocative of the pair’s Italian getaway adorn the kitchen and butler’s pantry; a Welsh headboard repurposed into a mantel in the family room; an expansive property spanning four acres featuring gardens, a swimming pool, poolhouse, koi pond, and patio space; a sunny porch; cherished family keepsakes; an open layout perfect for hosting guests.
Applause! Applause!
Betty and George Gibbs expressed satisfaction with the efforts of interior designer Libby Rush from Bittners; garden design was handled by Elizabeth Kuhn, who runs Backyard Botanicals, along with Maureen Stites, founder of 64 Yellow Roses; additional contributions came from landscape specialist Kevin Bowling, proprietor of Bowling Nursery.
25th Year of the Kilgore Home and Garden Tour
WHAT
The tour highlights some of Louisville’s finest residences and landscapes for visitors to explore and converse with Master Gardeners. Proceeds from this event will go towards supporting the Kilgore Samaritan Fund, which offers counseling services to everyone in the community irrespective of their financial situation.
WHEN
: June 14-15. The hours will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
WHERE
This year’s self-directed tour includes six gardens and three residences. The addresses and guidance for directions can be found online.
TICKETS
Tickets can be bought online; they cost $40 per adult and $5 per child.
PARKING
Street parking with designated markings is provided.
MORE INFORMATION
For additional details, please go to
kilgorecounseling.org/home-garden-tour
.
The article initially appeared in the Louisville Courier Journal.
The garden located in Mockingbird Valley has been inspiring participants for 25 years during the Kilgore Home & Garden Tour.
