Located at 604 N. York Street, Gastonia
The Aunt Charlotte McClee Community Garden, formerly known as the Highland Community Garden, is a partnership between the City of Gastonia, Keep Gastonia Beautiful, and the Highland neighborhood. The garden provides residents with opportunities to grow fresh produce, connect with neighbors, and learn about gardening and environmental stewardship.
Community members are invited to get involved by renting a garden plot or volunteering their time. Volunteers help with planting, weeding, garden maintenance, educational activities, community events, and creative art projects that enhance the space.
Beyond the garden, this site serves as a community gathering place and a continuation of the Highland neighborhood’s public art and beautification efforts. It provides opportunities for neighbors, churches, schools, and community organizations to come together, learn, and celebrate the rich history and culture of the area. Through hands-on educational programs, public art, and community events, the garden continues to grow as a source of pride for the Highland community.
For more information about renting a plot or becoming a volunteer, please contact Juliann Lehman at juliann.lehman@gastonianc.gov.
Grow with Us
COME GROW WITH US!
Very limited beds remaining for 2026 Growing Season
2026 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION PROCESS...Click here to access our application and complete guidelines
To submit your application using our online form, use this link.
1. Submit an Application for a plot in the Aunt Charlotte McClee Community Garden to Keep Gastonia Beautiful.
2. Keep Gastonia Beautiful Selects Garden Members for the growing season (April-December).
Garden applications are more likely to be accepted for gardeners who:
a. Live in or have ties to the Highland Community
b. Volunteer at off-season Garden Events
c. Pay their yearly membership dues on time
Want to learn more about our awesome recycled raised beds?
Beyond the Garden
WATCH US GROW...Beyond the garden
Multiple grants have enabled transformational improvements to the Aunt Charlotte McClee Community Garden & Pocket Park—creating a safer, more accessible, and more engaging outdoor space for older adults in the Highland neighborhood.
Huge thanks to: AARP, The Carrie E. and Lena V. Glenn Foundation, Gaston Community Foundation, Gaston Arts Council
WORK IN PROGRESS...Coming Summer 2026
Aunt Charlotte McClee
Who Was Aunt Charlotte McClee?
“Aunt” Charlotte McClee was born into slavery in South Carolina in 1846 and lived to the remarkable age of 111, passing away in 1957. She arrived in the Gastonia area in 1870—before the City of Gastonia was officially founded in 1877—and became the community’s first known midwife.
Over her lifetime, Aunt Charlotte delivered hundreds of babies, both Black and white, and was widely respected for her knowledge, compassion, and dedication to caring for others. When she first arrived, the area that would become Main Avenue was little more than woods and a handful of log cabins. From these humble beginnings, she helped nurture a growing community.
Aunt Charlotte was also known for her extensive knowledge of herbal remedies. In her yard, she cultivated medicinal plants that she dried and used to create tonics, salves, and treatments for illness, pain relief, and childbirth. She had a deep appreciation for nature and especially loved flowers and wildflowers. Later in life, she famously remarked, “If I could just get out to see the flowers! I would just like to ride along the road and see the wildflowers once more.”
The Aunt Charlotte McClee Community Garden serves as a living tribute to her life and legacy. Filled with flowers, herbs, and opportunities for learning and connection, the garden honors the values she embodied—care, resilience, community, and a love of the natural world. Each season, as seeds are planted, children discover the joys of gardening, and neighbors gather to share in the harvest, Aunt Charlotte’s spirit continues to inspire and enrich the Highland community she helped shape.
Building Community through History
COMING SOON