The Rose Hill Garden Club of Cape Girardeau has been awarded a $2,600 grant from the Principal Financial Group Historic Gardens Project.

Funds will be used to create the gardens at the Red House Interpretive Center in downtown Cape Girardeau.

Established by the The National Garden Clubs Inc. the grant program is under the sponsorship of the Principal Financial Group aiming to enhance gardens at historic sites in communities across the nation.

Bonnie Kipper, Rose Hill Red House Garden chairman, said, "Beautiful gardens in Cape Girardeau bring pleasure to our residents and let visitors know that we are proud of our community and its heritage. Our gardeners grow more than flowers, they help sow the seeds for future enjoyment and community prosperity."

The Red House Interpretive Center structure, located at 128 S. Main St., is patterned after Cape Girardeau founder Louis Lorimier's home and trading post, which Lorimier reportedly built in the late 1790s.

Visitors to the Red House can look for work on the gardens to begin next month when the asphalt is removed from the perimeter of the house.

Libby Jacobs, The Principal Financial Group assistant director, said, "The Principal Financial Group Historic Gardens Project supports talented volunteer gardeners in their quest to create and preserve magnificent gardens.

"By providing grants to projects like The Red House Gardens, The Principal is able to leave a legacy of beauty in communities across the country."