Biedenharn Museum and Gardens, Monroe

I'm a local who finds time every week to walk through this beautiful, fragrant formal garden. The greenhouse is home to the tallest bird of paradise I've ever seen, at least 15 feet high. The planting change often and I can't decide between the thousands of tulips in early spring and the unending clusters of hydrangeas in summertime for my favorite time to visit. So I continue to go as often as I can. Take the tour of the house as well. It's opulently furnished from the Victorian bedroom to the mid century electic downstairs. The Coca-Cola museum is a couple doors down and the new Bible museum opens next door Spring 2010.

If your tired of the same junk day to day routine in Monroe then go by and check this out! Its a nice place to learn a little history about the people who lived there and Coca-Cola! the staff are wonderful people and very knowable about the history! Get out of the heat, and go!

The staff are all very knowledgeable, proud, and excited to share this delightful place with others. They are so very friendly, the house is very interesting and beautiful. The gardens are lovely and well kept. Just plain wonderful to visit. And don't forget the nickle cokes..., too neat!

What a GREAT place to visit. The personnel were great. They were so sweet, very accomodating, fun, interesting, enthusiastic and warm. Southern Charm is abundant here. The 5 cent cokes brought back a flood of memories for my husband and I. When we didn't have any change, the ladies changed our dollar for us so we could experience the joy! Go... bring your kids. You'll be glad you did. It's an awesome way to learn about history.

Besides being the home of a pretty famous guy, Joe Biedenharn who first bottled Coke, it was also the home of his daughter, Emmy Lou, who was an opera singer in her younger days. She had the generosity to leave this home and her pristine gardens to a foundation which would share them with the city of Monroe and all who would pass through. The gardens are a great place to take the kids when you just want to take some good snapshots. Make sure you get the nickel coke to take part in the wonderful history of Coke.