At the American Rose Society Fall National Conference last month the Pacific Southwest District awarded the Best Small Public Garden Citation to the Stagecoach Inn Museum Rose Garden.

The garden has approximately 50 old garden roses suited to the Southern California climate, such as China, tea, noisette and polyantha roses. The garden is maintained by the Ventura County Rose Society and the Conejo Valley Historical Society.

The garden was designed by rose society member Jeri Jennings in 1992. The garden has been maintained under the direction of Kathy Ayers and Sue Rosecrans and a small crew of volunteers for the past 10 years. 

The rose garden is at 51 Ventu Park Road, Newbury Park and is open Wednesday to Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. 

The Stagecoach Inn Museum also includes a replica of a Chumash Village and a one-room schoolhouse reminiscent of the early days of California education.