The Bernice Garden    

The Bernice Garden is located in downtown Little Rock. Visitors will enjoy the sculptures that are produces by artists from the state and the beauty of the Garden. Anita Davis envisioned a meeting place to celebrate local artists, sustainability, and community in the empty lot that the Bernice Garden now inhabits. She worked with a gifted tram to create the garden using a feminine approach to support these ideas.

• What is the history of The Bernice Garden?
  • The lot was first a part of the Augustus Garland-Mitchell House property and probably held the outdoor kitchen and gardens.
  • It was built in 1873 by the future governor and senator, Augustus Garland, who was also the first citizen of Arkansas to be part of the Presidential Cabinet.
  • The property was later rented to the Fletcher Family, where it became the birthplace of the poet John Gould Fletcher, who won the Pulitzer Prize.
  • Another important family linked to the property was that of Dr. Charles H. Brough, the twenty-fifth governor of Arkansas during the First World War.
  • These associations make the Garland-Mitchell House one of the state’s most significant historic landmarks.
• What businesses previously occupied the property?
  • In the 1940s and 1950s, the back part of the property was home to the Little Rock Inn, an American Graffiti-style drive-in with curbside food and beer service.
  • After the closure of the inn, the property housed a Captain D’s seafood fast-food restaurant, which burned down in 1992 and was later demolished.
• Who established The Bernice Garden?
  • Over ten years later, Anita Davis bought the Bernice Building on Main Street, which had been built in 1923.
  • She then purchased the Garland-Mitchell House property in 2006 and established the Bernice Garden in 2007.
• What activities are available at The Bernice Garden?
  • Sculpture Exhibit – The sculptures and artworks on display at the garden represent Arkansas artists and reflect the history, essence, and nature of the state.
  • Garden – The structures and artwork in the garden reflect the resilience and eccentricity of Arkansas citizens.
  • All the artwork in the garden is created from recycled, reusable, and sustainable materials.
  • The garden’s dimensions are 100 feet by 150 feet, with landscaped areas featuring crushed granite bases for artworks.
  • A lighted canopy collects rainwater and channels it into a storage cistern to nourish plants.
  • The garden includes benches for visitors to sit, contemplate, and relax.
  • Hundreds of butterflies, dragonflies, and moths are supported by the flower garden, which features plants such as cosmos, zinnias, rudbeckias, bronze fennel, and various herbs like rosemary and lavender.
  • The garden also includes decorative grasses and daylilies.
  • Recycled glass pathways throughout the garden reflect Anita Davis’s commitment to sustainability.
• What shopping opportunities are available at The Bernice Garden?
  • Farmer’s Market – The Bernice Garden’s Farmer’s Market provides an open space for local farmers to sell sustainably grown vegetables, fruits, berries, nuts, herbs, and flowers.
  • Other goods include prepared food, cheeses, and handmade items.
  • On Sundays, visitors can enjoy breakfast before church services or a relaxed brunch or lunch afterward.
  • The market is a space for socializing, music, menu planning, recipe exchanges, and community engagement.
• What is the Garden Market?
  • The Bernice Garden hosts a garden market where all merchandise sold is unique.
  • All items must be vintage, antique, upcycled, recycled, handmade, or original art.
  • Items must be unique, fun, high-quality, and clean.
  • All profits from sales go directly to the market’s vendors, while booth rental fees help support the Bernice Garden by covering electricity and amenities.
  • By promoting vintage and recycled items, the market helps support a healthy environment and local artists.

Bernice Garden, 1401 Main Street, Little Rock, Arkansas, Phone: 501-410-3938

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