In 1994, local Master Gardener , Diane Greenfield, spearheaded a small group of friends to develop the concept of a Garden Tour to raise funds for their historic library in Penetanguishene. - a historic Carnegie Library. This well-used building that had been serving the community since 1910 was in need of major renovations and updating. A fundraising campaign was launched to fund the capital costs incurred to expand and renovate the library. A sub-committee of avid gardeners was formed to assist with the fundraising. The first Library Garden Tour took place on the 2nd Saturday in July 1995.

This popular Garden Tour raised over $100,000.00 during the first 14 years, which included 12 years of fundraising for the Penetanguishene Public Library (1995 - 2004 & 2007 - 2008) and two years for the Coldwater Library (2005 - 2006).

In the fall of 2008, the Library Garden Tour Committee made the decision to raise funds toward the $6 Million expansion of the Midland Public Library. The building then occupied by the Library was constructed in 1913 as a Federal Government building serving as a Post Office, Customs Office, Steamship Inspection Office and Licensing facility. It served these functions until 1967 when it was renovated and opened as a Library. Over the years this centrally located library became extremely over-crowded.

The Midland Public Library held its Grand Re-opening on July 14, 2010. With the addition and renovated original building it has several sustainability features including a 'green roof' (photovoltaic solar). Librarian Bill Molesworth says: "The library is planning on promoting the roof and using it as an education and awareness feature which will likely work its way into an edu-program right across the spectrum". The Library now has comfortable lounges and seating, a children's play area, teen zone, study rooms and community meeting rooms. It's a place for children to learn, students to study, adults to read and relax, and for the community to meet. Visit the Midland Library website.

What has made this Library Garden Tour so long-lasting and popular? When the tour was founded 18 years ago, committee members went to great pains to research what made a successful tour. They noted the vast majority of community-based garden tours lasted only an average of seven years before interest petered out. They wanted to ensure that theirs did not share the same fate. A tour with longevity, committee members reasoned, would better serve the community in the long term.

To ensure the event would remain fresh and exciting, the committee realized it would need to incorporate a diversity of gardens: large and small properties plus those built on a budget and others which spare no expense! A wide variety of special interest styles are chosen each year such as vegetable, wildflower and water gardens with garden sizes ranging from modest to grand. Usually fifteen or more properties every year are selected to reduce crowding in the gardens and allow the hosts time to talk to visitors. . The North Simcoe area is blessed with many gardeners who generously open their private properties to the public sharing in the joy of gardening and community spirit! This is accomplished with a committed group of organizers and volunteers . Just one example was the good fortune of having a dedicated volunteer who established and managed the web site for 17 years greatly increasing the opportunities to reach out to seasonal visitors.

In 2009, the volunteers on the Library Garden Tour Committee were pleased to present the Midland Public Library with a cheque for $8,000 and in 2010, the year of the devastating local tornado, they presented a cheque for $6,700.00. In 2011 donations climbed to$10,359.00. They are looking forward to another successful tour in 2012 and will be extending the umbrella of financial support to the three public libraries in Port McNicoll, Victoria Harbour and Waubushene

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