April is a special month for the Southern Oregon Historical Society and Hanley Farm. SOHS is proud to be the Grand Marshal for the 64th Annual Pear Blossom Parade, April 8. To celebrate the Pear Blossom Festival, Pear Blossom Posters for the past ten years, created by artist Debby Elder, are on display in the History Center’s front windows, facing 6th and Central, in downtown Medford. And, on April 29 & 30, Hanley Farm will host its Annual Heritage Plant Sale.

Pear Blossom Parade—Michael Hanley IV—Historian, Artist, Author and Cowboy Rancher—will be leading the parade as Grand Marshal with his own team of horses. A resident of Jordan Valley, Michael has written several historical books, including his 1999, “Journal of Michael F. Hanley IV: Serving as Wagon Master on the 150th Anniversary of the Applegate Trail.”

Michael spins great family tales of his heritage, the farm and family. Hanley’s father ran the Butte Creek Ranch, which he inherited from his father Michael II, and after WWII sold it and moved to Jordan Valley. In 1857 Hanley’s great-grandfather, Michael Finely Hanley, bought a 640 acre Donation Land Claim from the Clinton/Welton family, now known as Hanley Farm. Today, Hanley Farm with its 1875 home, lush landscape and historic barns, sits in the center of the beautiful Rogue Valley.

Heritage Plant Sale—On April 29 & 30, Hanley Farm celebrates the popular Annual Heritage Plant Sale. Every year the sale has grown in popularity as participants line up at the gate waiting to purchase a bit of Hanley Farm history to plant and enjoy in their own gardens. This year, the farm will have up to 50 varieties of heritage plants, including perennials, shrubs, herbs, and more. In addition, there will be children’s activities, self-guided garden tours, hayrides, and food prepared using farm-fresh vegetables. And, when you purchase a raffle ticket, you’ll have the opportunity to win a unique, one-of-a-kind Fairy Garden. As always, admission is free!