Eight years later, Matt Boland’s vision of a living memorial for his sister Gertrude Anne “Trudy” Boland has finally come to fruition. Trudy passed away on March 5, 1995 after a ten-year battle with cancer. Trudy always had a love of the outdoors and at one time dreamed of working for the Park Service or similar organization. This dream of being close to nature, while not realized in her lifetime, is now realized in her garden. Boland donated the garden and established an endowment to the Reading Public Museum to maintain the garden in perpetuity.

After two floods, snow, new storm drains and French drains, the special spot chosen on the grounds of the Reading Public Museum’s 25-acre Arboretum has been transformed into a stunning 15,000 sq. ft. garden. There is a red brick heart-shaped pathway, plants, trees, bushes and flowers, and a smaller heart that is visible through the grove of golden ash trees. The last finishing touch will be a hill of wildflowers.

Visitors will be treated to a visual symphony of hazelnut and poplar trees and over 72 other varieties of trees, flowers and shrubs that have been especially selected for their beauty and attractiveness to butterflies, hummingbirds and songbirds. The garden also features a patio with a 3-ft. stone wall that is available for weddings, graduation photos and other special moments to be photographed. Ron Roth, Director & CEO of the Reading Public Museum comments, “Matt Boland's contribution to the beautification of the Museum's Arboretum cannot be overstated. The development of Trudy's Garden is one of the most important accomplishments in the Arboretum in recent history. I think it is safe to say that Trudy's Garden is one of the most beautiful public spaces in Berks County.”

Trudy and Matt Boland, children of the late Dr. Matthew and Eleanor Boland are originally from Reading and attended elementary and high school in the city. The Reading Public Museum was chosen after a long search and evaluation of many options. The final choice of the Museum grounds was made because of the natural beauty of the location, the serenity it afforded and the role the Museum played in the formative years of the Boland children. Had Trudy lived, she intended to return to Reading after her retirement.

Matt Boland, a political consultant currently living in Alexandria, VA, hopes that Trudy’s Garden will provide a place of enjoyment and comfort to all who visit, and encourage others to give back to their community.