GAMBIER — Schnormeier Gardens are located in the gentle rolling hills of central Ohio. Ann and Ted Schnormeier began building the gardens in 1996. Over the years they have grown to include 50 acres of manicured lawns, 10 lakes, a variety of discrete garden areas, sculptures and several waterfalls.
The focal point of the property is a spectacular Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired home. This
private residence was completed in 1994. Other structures on the property include a Japanese teahouse, garden house, Chinese pavilion and arched bridge.
An ever-growing collection of unique sculptures is also located on the grounds. The gardens have a distinct Asian flavor and feature a variety of plantings rich in color and texture. Rare conifers are plentiful here. Large boulders and stone walls add dimension and contrast to the landscape. Brilliant waterfalls thrill young and old visitors.
Designed with a bold vision and attention to detail, the gardens offer delightful viewing
in any season.
Hard work, faith, and community
Ted and Ann’s story began far from Gambier, in a small farming town in Iowa, where hard work, faith, and community formed the foundation for their lifelong pursuit of excellence.
Their story spans humble beginnings, a global business empire, a partnership rooted in love and service, and a vision that continues to bloom each year.
By the mid-1960s Ted and Ann had settled in Gambier. They eventually bought a large patch of farmland near their original home and began building a home overlooking rolling hills and lakes. The house, completed in 1994, was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s philosophy of harmony with nature.
Two years later, they began developing the land surrounding the house. What began as a personal landscaping project to frame the home with beautiful gardens bloomed into a full-fledged passion for the couple.
Exposed to decades of international travel, art, architecture, and gardens, Ted and Ann
envisioned a place that fused Eastern and Western aesthetics. The result: Schnormeier Gardens. Fifty acres of natural flowing design and a careful balance with nature.
Throughout the property you will find over 100 outdoor sculptures. Each piece was personally selected by Ann and Ted considering light, line and perspective.
“A sculpture doesn’t just sit there,” Ted explains. “It talks to everything around it: the trees, the water, the sky.”
Although originally a private family garden, the gardens were opened to the public in 2024 for charity events.
Today, Schnormeier Gardens welcomes more than 7,000 visitors each June. The gardens are only open to the public once a year.
Every June, Friday through Sunday, there are two time slots for reservations. Reservations can be made through the Schnormeier Gardens website beginning May 1. Admission is limited to preserve the sense of tranquility Ted and Ann envisioned.
A responsibility to community
Ted and Ann held a mutual philosophy. They believed they had a responsibility to their community in ways to benefit everyone who lived there. They became benefactors for hospitals, educational institutions, and civic project throughout Ohio. They felt a deep dedication to the notion that it is vital to leave a lasting impact and have donated to causes that will ensure this impact is felt in perpetuity.
Ann passed away in 2017 after a long battle with cancer. Ann was the quiet strength behind Ted’s work and an inspiration in her own right. Ann’s spirit permeates the gardens. While Ted designed the physical space, Ann shaped its soul.
Ted is now in his nineties. He still spends his days out and about in the gardens. Still designing, refining, and shaping the walking paths. He has recently added a multitude of additional exciting sculptures that will entertain visitor’s imagination.
The Schnormeier Gardens Foundation, which Ted and Ann endowed, ensures that the property will continue to inspire and educate future generations.
“The foundation looks forward to working with Ted, our dedicated board, and volunteers to ensure that this treasured space continues to preserve Ann and Ted’s vision to create a space of Peace, Harmony and Serenity that will inspire and uplift all who visit,” said Carol Garner, president of the Schnormeier Gardens Foundation.
Their legacy stands not only in the gardens that will inspire generations, but in the example Ted and Ann Schnormeier have set for a life shaped by purpose, kindness and steady dedication to others.
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