About Us The facilities at Angora Gardens were once used to provide rehabilitation and recovery services to individuals in need of social rehabilitation so that he or she may develop or regain the skills necessary to live, work and socialize within the community. More recently, Angora Gardens was re-positioned as a wellness center, open to the public for a number of free classes, including topics such as nutrition, holistic health, fitness, gardening, and arts & crafts.
Angora Gardens is also open to the public for private, social, and business functions. Host your next special event at our facility: company meetings, trainings, retreats; bridal and baby showers; gender reveal celebrations; wedding ceremonies and receptions; fundraisers; birthday and graduation parties; wakes and more. Please visit us and experience the relaxing and peaceful place created by the hearts and hands of Angora Gardens' participants. Angora Gardens is a program of UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Mon Yough. www.mycs.org |
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Financial donations make a significant impact on the quality and sustainability of Angora Gardens and its mission of helping improve lives of individuals and families.
Our Values
Hope-
The spirit to believe in reaching individual and common goals.
Choice-
Exploring alternatives among all services and providers.
Connection-
Assisting individuals in developing relationships in their community that are based on trust and confidence.
Respect-
Demonstrating appreciation for the inherent worth of other individuals by providing a dignified, supportive and empowering environment.
Diversity-
Embracing cultural differences as a source of strength and enrichment.
Partnering-
An observable, caring, respectful relationships that nurtures and fosters the potential of each individual.
The spirit to believe in reaching individual and common goals.
Choice-
Exploring alternatives among all services and providers.
Connection-
Assisting individuals in developing relationships in their community that are based on trust and confidence.
Respect-
Demonstrating appreciation for the inherent worth of other individuals by providing a dignified, supportive and empowering environment.
Diversity-
Embracing cultural differences as a source of strength and enrichment.
Partnering-
An observable, caring, respectful relationships that nurtures and fosters the potential of each individual.
The People We Serve
We provide services for the service recipients of UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Mon Yough, service recipients of like agencies, and our community members from surrounding areas. Angora Gardens provides services for anyone seeking guidance and instructions for living a healthy lifestyle; those who are building happy memories for themselves and their family, and those looking for a unique environment for their social and business events.
HistoryNestled on three acres in White Oak Park, 3 Muse Lane has a rich history. In 1783, the United States Government installed a block house on the property. Mr. Adam Reburn was put in charge of this house, christened Reburn’s Station. In 1788, Reburn purchased the house - plus 200 acres of surrounding land - and made it his home.
Anthony Rollins was the next to purchase the property. He built a cabin and barn. The farmhouse was built in 1820. A road was constructed through the woods to the main road. This road was named Rollins Road, and is believed to be what is now Muse Lane. Rollins Road was traveled by George Washington and General Braddock and they made their way to Braddock Fields. Mr. John J. Muse purchased the property in 1832. Mr. Muse was an active politician from 1858 to 1859; he served as treasurer of Allegheny County and represented Allegheny County in the legislature. He added an orchard, pine trees, and gardens during his family's time living on the property. His family remained on the property through 1967, when 3 Muse Lane became part of the Allegheny Parks System. In 1988, Mon Yough Community Services established Angora Gardens, so named for the Angora Rabbits that lived on the property at the time. Angora's initial purpose was to provide training, social rehabilitation, and support to individuals living with mental illness - those in need of developing or regaining skills necessary to live, work, and socialize within their community. The Angora Rabbits were used as a vehicle for client therapy. Staff and clients cared for the bunnies and used their fur to make various products, which were then sold in the Angora Gift Shop. Staff also maintained the property sites and gardens, utilized the greenhouse for planting and conservation, capitalized on the farmhouse as a teaching space for independent life skills, and promoted socialization without stigma among program participants. 
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The program survived in its early years with help from Allegheny County and the State of Pennsylvania. But, as times changed, funding dissipated and budgets were cut. Lack of funding nearly closed the doors of Angora Gardens. In 2005, an advocacy group was formed to seek support through donations and grants, and fundraising events such as Septemberfest, Halloween-themed Funny Fright Nights, and an Easter Egg Hunt were held.
In 2010, while still operating on a shoestring budget and minimal staff, Angora Gardens received grant funding from Mr. Richard Scaife and Mr. Matthew Groll from the Scaife Foundation (Allegheny Foundation). This funding allowed Angora Gardens to remain open and re-brand as a health and wellness center. The Angora Rabbits were adopted by a local rabbit caretaker, and they return for special visits, including Easter Egg Hunts, courtesy of Rabbit Wranglers. Since then, the Allegheny Foundation continues to support Angora Gardens' mission. Several other generous donors contribute to the sustainability of the program as well. (Please reference our donor list at http://www.angoragardens.org/event-sponsors-and-in-kind-donors.html) The program has expanded its health and wellness course offerings, the Barn was renovated into a wellness center and event venue, staff operate out of the Farmhouse, and the Greenhouse has returned to a fully-functioning space for cultivating, propagating, and educational activities. Angora Gardens also hosts multiple annual events open to the community, offers a variety of volunteer opportunities, and is available for private event rentals. Present-day Angora Gardens is a safe and educational place where everyone can learn how to lead a healthy lifestyle and connect with their community. Angora Gardens is a program of UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Mon Yough. |
- 1783: Block House ("Reburn's Station") constructed
- 1820: Farmhouse constructed
- 1967: Allegheny County Parks System acquires property
- 1988: Mon Yough Community Services acquires property and establishes Angora Gardens
- 1989: Angora Gardens Barn constructed (later renovated into wellness center and event venue)
- 2005: Angora Gardens Greenhouse constructed
