Historical Timeline

1843

St. John’s Episcopal Church is constructed.

1847

John and Isabel Wharton construct the Cottage.

1871

John Wharton graduates from seminary at age 68 and serves St. John’s, St. Thomas’ and St. Matthew’s Episcopal Churches.

1883

Charles and Estelle Wharton House is constructed next door.

1900

Bedford Public Library is built on present site.

1903

Eloise and Edward Gregory purchase the John Wharton Cottage.

1920s

Eloise Gregory successfully lobbies Town Council for increased library funding.

1924

St. John’s Episcopal moves to present building.

Disciples of Christ purchase the St. John’s Episcopal Church building.

1930s

Mrs. Charles Wharton, Jr. (Louise) begins her wildflower and boxwood garden.

1943

Bedford’s Carnegie Foundation Library is constructed.

1960

Dr. Dennis Robinson purchases the John Wharton Cottage for his office.

1995

The Bedford Central Library is expanded.

The Wharton Memorial Foundation is formed to address the deteriorating condition of the Wharton and Gregory Gardens and the John Wharton Cottage.

1997

The Wharton Memorial Foundation purchases the Cottage and forms the Wharton/Gregory LLC to finance restoration.

1997

Robert McDuffie completes the Wharton Garden master plan.

2004

Wharton Memorial Foundation purchases the Bedford Christian Church and leases it to the Bedford Academy of the Arts. The building is named the Bower Center for the Arts in honor of benefactor Dr. John Bower.

2008

Wharton Memorial Foundation takes over operation of the arts initiative at the Bower Center.

2016

Wharton Memorial Foundation deeds the Bower Center to a new entity, the Bower Center for the Arts.

2018

Work began on the Children’s Literacy Garden.