Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
(}reen ru'lrrow
VOLUME II
THE HISTORY OF THE GARDEN CLUB
OFVIRGINIA, 1970-1995
FOREWORD
ince its founding seventy-five years ago, The Garden Club of Virginia has enriched the
lives not only of its members, but also of millions of fellow Virginians as well as visitors to
our state. The programs, projects, and passions of its members have had an immeasurable
impact on the Virginia landscape.
The organization was founded in 1920 as a loose confederacy of local clubs with common
interests in horticultural pursuits. Soon, thanks to the creation of Historic Garden Week as an
annual fundraising project, the group coalesced into a statewide organization with a noble sense
of mission and an astounding capacity of energy and persistence. Virginia, unlike many other
historically rich states, does not put major ongoing state funding into the ownership of historic
properties. In fact, almost all of the historic places of national significance are privately funded.
The programs funded by Garden Week revenue, which either restore historic gardens or provide appropriate settings for historic sites, fill a vital need in complementing the efforts of others who undertake the bricks-and-mortar elements of historic preservation. Thanks to the leadership of The Club's Restoration Committee, the list of projects accomplished over the past
quarter of a century is a most distinguished one. Residents or visitors with only a passing interest in visiting historic places are certain to encounter the good works of The GCV again and
again.
The accomplishments of the first fifty years were related in the Follow the Green Arrow
published in 1970. The last quarter century is chronicled in the present volume. In it we can see
the successors of the founders carrying forward The Club's mission and expanding it. During
this period, a new widespread interest in garden history (not new for The GCV, of course)
rendered a number of projects especially relevant to scholars, horticulturists, landscape architects, and gardeners at all levels. Two of these were major publications. The first, Historic Virginia Gardens by Dorothy Hunt Williams, a massive volume published in 197 5, included detailed information and drawings of the projects of the Restoration Committee up to that time.
This invaluable source book was followed in 1993 by Gardens & Landscapes of Virginia, a handsome, full-color pictorial survey by noted photographer Richard Cheek. It included The Club's
projects as well as the major historic gardens regularly open for Garden Week. The discipline of
garden history was further enhanced by the impressive research accomplished in conjunction
with GCV projects at Prestwould and Bacon's Castle. These combined fascinating documentary material with archaeological investigation. In the case of Bacon's Castle, The Club, working in conjunction with the owner, the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities,
revealed the plan of the oldest recorded garden in English America, a milestone in the annals of
garden archaeology. To further the study of historic Virginia gardens, The Club instituted in
1995 an annual fellowship to record through measured drawings historic features of ornamental
Vil
viii
PREFACE
his publication presents another chapter in the continuing history of The Garden Club
of Virginia. Guy Friddell, well known and beloved columnist, noted, "It was second
nature for members of The Garden Club of Virginia to take up as their cause the art of
gardening. One art flourished in Virginia 1607, and that was the art of gardening. Not an art,
you say? Jefferson, who was the patron saint of everything in Virginia, thought it was. 'Gardening as a fine art,' Jefferson wrote his granddaughter, 'was not horticulture but the art of embellishing grounds by fancy."'
The 1929 dream of the early members of The Garden Club of Virginia to restore the
Commonwealth's historic landmarks is being transformed year-after-year into a splendid reality. The contribution of The Garden Club of Virginia over the years has been adopting a serious purpose and endowing it with zest.
This 25-year-history (1970-1995) could not have been put on paper without the information contributed by the member clubs and Presidents of The Garden Club of Virginia. As the
Committee approached publication, we were conscious of all the varied fashions in writing
styles, influenced by "one-liners" of television and the "no punctation" of E-mail, but since we
believe that style outlasts fashion, we present with pride this history in the style of The Garden
Club of Virginia and its member clubs.
Gratitude is but a lame sentiment; thanks, when expressed, are often more embarrassing
than welcome; and yet we must set forth ours to Charlotte Taylor Massie for her guidance and
dedication.
The Committee understands the feeling of the author of Don Quixote, Miguel de Cervantes,
when he wrote, "He that publishes a book runs a very good hazard, since nothing can be more
impossible that to compose one that may secure the approbation of every reader." We hope this
one will became a valuable reference for you.
Committee:
Mrs. Hugh L. Hagan, Jr.
Mrs. Robert L. Hopkins, Jr.
Mrs. H. Gordon Leggett, Jr.
Mrs. J. Robert Massie, Jr.
Mrs. P. William Moore, Jr.
Mrs. W: TayloeMurphy,Jr.
Miss Jean Printz
Mrs. Charles H. Schutte, Jr.
Mrs.John D. Varner
ix
CONTENTS
FOREWORD
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PREFACE
ix
INTRODUCTION
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INTRODUCTION TO THE
GARDEN CLUB OF VIRGINIA
rs.James Bland Martin, a member and accomplished writer, laced fact with wit in her
fine story of The Garden Club of Virginia's first fifty years (1920-1970) in Follow the
Green Arrow.
The Garden Club of Virginia felt the years from 1970 to 1995 should be recorded. This
twenty-five-year history could not have been "put on paper" without the important information
provided by The Garden Club of Virginia Presidents and member clubs.
When one era ends, it is important to remember that studying the past helps to guide the
future.
The Garden Club of Virginia started in a simple fashion in 1920. It was formed, according
to Mrs. Fairfax Harrison, "to enjoy our neighbors' gardens, to meet our garden neighbors, and
to absorb new ideas and methods of gardening. In short, it was just a pleasant gathering of
kindred souls, all speaking the same language horticulturally and socially, and I doubt if any
more charming association ever existed. But, before long, it became apparent that unless we did
have some reason for existence other than just pleasurable, our organization would die a natural
death."
As interest began to grow and more garden clubs came into existence, The James River
Garden Club invited the Albemarle Garden Club, The Augusta Garden Club, The Garden
Club of Danville, Dolley Madison Garden Club, Fauquier and Loudoun Garden Club, The
Garden Club of Norfolk, and The Warrenton Garden Club to a conference in Richmond. This
conference on May 13, 1920 resulted in the formation of The Garden Club of Virginia.
Mrs. Thomas S. Wheelwright, President of The Jam es River Garden Club, reported to the
garden lovers attending, "The main purpose of the Federation is to gain. through contact with
the leaders of the various garden clubs knowledge of practical value about all plants, and all that
pertains to their history, growth and increase; and the various kinds of gardens, large landscape
effects, civic gardens and civic planting. This increased knowledge may be gained by visits to
the well-planned gardens of the different types, and through discussion and interchange of
information."
Mrs. Malvern C. Patterson was elected the first President of the newly organized Federation. The second Annual Meeting of the organization was held in Warrenton June 2, 1921,
with The Warrenton Garden Club as host.
Mrs. Patterson closed her report with the following: "If by our efforts we add to a state,
which is full of historic interest, the charm oflovely gardens, and insure for tourists good roads,
and roadside planting which pleases the eye, by preserving our native shrubs, the dogwood, our
native flower, and holly, and other evergreens, no other state would have greater attractions."
In 192 4, Dr. J. A. C. Chandler, president of the College of William and Mary, appealed to
mation from one place to another, Mrs. Flowers echoed Mrs. Kellam's belief that The Garden Club of Virginia needed a "home" of its
own.
The first issue of "Conservation Headlines" was published, and copies of the revised
Flower Shows Handbook were available.
The Garden Club of Virginia joined the
Conservation Council of Virginia.
Duplicates of the files at the Alderman Library at the University of Virginia were moved
to Richmond (another reason The GCV
needed more space).
Mrs. John D . Varner (Betsy), The GCV
Treasurer, explained member clubs' constitutional memberships and dues to the member
clubs.
The Garden Club of Virginia was nominated for the Crowninshield Award of the
National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Governor Albertis Harrison wrote, "Were it
necessary for me to select one organization in
Virginia that has made the most outstanding
and valuable contribution to this state, it would
be The Garden Club of Virginia."
Ralph E. Griswold, landscape architect,
was elected an Honorary Member of The
GCVin 1971.
Mrs. Spotswood B. Hall, Jr. (Katie),
Chairman of Historic Garden Week, announced with real regret that Mrs. Irving L.
Matthews, after twenty-five years as Executive Director of Historic Garden Week, had
resigned because of ill health. Mrs. Richard
B. Williams (Ginny) had been appointed Sec3
retary ofHGW:
In January 1972, The General Assembly
voted that property taxes be removed from the
Kent-Valentine House. The Governor signed
into law Section NH 58-12-4, providing the
Kent-Valentine property be exempt from state
and local taxes. After re-working a historic
easement, the deed to the Kent-Valentine
House was signed and sealed on January 29,
1972. Two funds were established- The Presidents Fund and the Endowment Fund.
In 1973 all garden restoration records,
books, and files from the Alderman Library at
the University ofVrrginia were sorted, moved
and restored at the Richmond City Library.
The Garden Club of Virginia received the
Mary Mason Anderson Williams Award from
the APVA for the preservation of Vrrginia antiquities.
The Honorable Lewis E Powell, Jr. was
elected an Honorary Member of The Garden
Club ofVirginia in 1974.
In 1975 The Elizabeth River Garden
Club was elected the 45th member of The
Garden Club of Virginia.
The motion to have a needlepoint rug
made for the Kent-Valentine House with
squares showing the logo of each member club
of The GCV was approved.
The number of The Board of Directors of
The GCV was returned to those named in the
Charter plus the Chairman of the Restoration
Committee and the Chairman of the Historic
Garden Week Committee.
In 1976 The Garden Club ofVrrginia received The Vrrginia Travel Council Award.
The Bylaws were changed to include the
Editor of The JOURNAL and the Executive
Secretary ofHGW as members of The GCV
Board of Governors.
The needlepoint rug was completed and
placed in the library at the Kent-Valentine
House.
August Dietz III was elected an Honorary
Member of The GCV for his outstanding service to The GCV for so many years.
In 1978 final payment was made on the
loan to purchase the Kent-Valentine House.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation awarded the David E. Finley Award to
Mrs. Flowers with Past Presidents: (back row) Mrs. Ujatt Aiken Williams, Mrs. Lucius J. Kellam,
Mrs. James Bland Martin, Mrs. Thomas E. Thorne, (front row) Mrs. W. Allen Perkins and Mrs.
James Gordon Smith.
Robert Massie, Jr. (Charlotte), Wyatt A. Williams (Dottie), Robert Latham (Ella), Toy D.
Savage, Jr. (Hunter), Leon S. Dure (Kathy),
Harry C. Stuart, Mrs. Burke and myself.
Lewis Powell, Jr. and David Peters of the law
firm of Hunton, Williams, Gay and Gibson
were of inestimable help as were advisors
Charles T. Rose and J. McCaw Parrish (Mac
Parrish donated his services as contractor).
Mrs. James B. Martin (Teen) used her level
head wisely in working out the financial details and especially in winning over the Virginia General Assembly.
Of course, we could not give enough
credit to Mrs. Reed and her sister, Mrs. John
H. Bocock, who was also a special friend. The
generosity of the Valentine family should be
noted, for they not only reduced the price of
the house $100,000 for The GCV but also
donated all of the beautiful mirrors in the
house and many rugs and other furniture.
9
Mr. Granville G. Valentine, Jr., presents the KentValentine House keys to Mrs. Flowers and Mrs.
Spotswood B. Hall, Jr.
As the house was owned over the years by
three prominent Richmond families, we have
not made it a museum or a period house (what
period?). All furnishings have been donated.
As I prepared to turn my office over to
my successor, Lee Cochran, work was progressing rapidly on restoration of the house
and funds were coming up fast. My pleasure
and satisfaction were enhanced when she asked
me to be the first Kent-Valentine House
Chairman. This Chairman came to the end
of The GCV Annual Meeting May 1972 with
a happy fulfilled feeling.
Editor's Note: Mrs. Flowers was awarded
the Massie Medal in 1974. In 1987, Mrs.
Flowers became Honorary President of The
Garden Club of Virginia.
Mrs. Richard B. Williams (front desk) and Mrs. John Robert Massie, Jr. on opming day of the new
Historic Gardm Week office in the Kent-Valmtine House.
that she had done it. It could have been her
theme song. She did it all.
Lucy Rhoads (Mrs. Webster S. Rhoads,
Jr.) said it better two years later. "Throughout sixteen productive years on the Board, she
brought to every problem keen intelligence
and foresight. The 1974 Massie Medal is presented to one who, crowning a lifetime of service, became the guiding spirit of the KentValentine House - Mary Frances Flowers."
However, in one way my two-year program was made easier. We had bought but
not paid for, and restored, but not moved into,
our handsome new headquarters. My mission
was to carry the ball that Mary Frances tossed
to me. A great deal had been done, but more
was needed.
My first official outing as President was
in June to Harrisonburg where The
Spotswood Garden Club, assisted by the
North American Lily Society, was to sponsor
The Garden Club of Virginia Lily Show for
the second year. Emily Smith (Mrs. Herbert
McKelden Smith) went along to hold my hand
Mrs. Cochran sluncheon at Kent-Valentine House for the Past Presidents: (standing) Mesdames Lucius
J. Kellam, Arthur B. Collins, Burdette S. Wright, Cochran, F. Whitney Godwin, Benjamin F. Parrott,
George H. Flowers, Jr., (seated) James Bland Martin, W.W.S. Butler, James Gordon Smith, Herbert
McKelden Smith. W. Allen Perkins, Wyatt Aiken Williams, and Powell Glass.
GCV, was the matchless guru. They went
about their business with assurance, knowledge, good taste and good humor. And they
accomplished a great deal.
The move into the Kent-Valentine House
was also begun during the summer of 1972.
Katie Hall (Mrs. Spotswood B. Hall, Jr.) and
her committee, including my mother (Mrs.
Harry C. Stuart), saw to it that we had a tastefully decorated and arranged home from the
first day. Charlotte Massie (Mrs. J. Robert
Massie, Jr.) and Ginny Williams (Mrs. Richard B. Williams) set up shop to run Historic
Garden Week, and Mary Frances Flowers
began her term as the first Chairman of the
newly formed Kent-Valentine House Committee. All committee members were anxious
to see and use their own headquarters, and
chairmen were eager to relocate their files
Helen Murphy says she finds her time in Richmond with Legislative husband, Tayloe, most
helpful. We both lacked the private airplane
that got Dot Kellam around the state!
Members of the Court and members of
the various committees of The GCV formed
fast friendships and Rudy Favretti became a
regular at almost every term of Court. The
first night I invited him to have dinner with
the "Supremes" he thought I meant the singing group!
One of my most memorable luncheons at
the Kent-Valentine House was in December
1972 when I invited all the Past Presidents of
The Garden Club of Virginia to see their new
house. Thirteen got there, some for the last
time. Their pleasure and pride was something
I will never forget.
Another personality from our early days
was Jack Gregory. This stately older gentleman kept the house and grounds in pristine
condition. For meeting days and other offi13
MRS.JOHND. VARNER
President
The Garden Club of Virginia
1974-1976
I was Treasurer during Lee Cochran's
(Mrs. George M. Cochran) term so I was well
aware of her many fine accomplishments and
19
NAL.
3. The number of Registers ordered was
cut back and distributed from the Kent-Valentine House to save postage.
4. Because of the Kent-Valentine House's
tight budget and rising maintenance costs,
$1,000 was voted for unusual repairs which
could accrue.
My first Flower Show was The GCV Lily
Show in Lexington. For the second time in a
row my Roanoke Valley Garden Club won the
Inter-Club and the Tri-Color for its arrangements.
In July 1974, The GCV Board of Directors met in Staunton at the Ingleside Hotel
and were royally entertained by Lee Cochran,
her mother, Mrs. Harry Stuart, and Virginia
Perry (Mrs. William J . Perry).
20
Mrs. Lucius J. Kellam, Mrs. i1Jrner and Mrs. Benjamin J. Mears, The Eastern Shore, 197 5.
and this was done.
with Mrs. Maury and Mrs. Boothe to show us
the gardens. The Elizabeth River Garden
The Kent-Valentine House was getting
Club of Portsmouth, organized in 192 7, was
spruced up, and I chose to have enlarged picaccepted as the 45th member club of The
tures of the interior and exterior with me when
GCV with 60 members.
I visited member clubs. We needed money
and gifts in a big way! A committee composed
The Massie Medal was awarded to ] ane
Norris Birchfield and the deLacy Gray Medal
of Mrs. Wright Harrison, Mrs. C. Harrison
to Mrs. B. Powell Harrison.
Mann, Jr., and the Directors-at-Large was
formed to explore increasing the Kent-ValenHorticulture Chairman, Mrs. Robert W
tine House Endowment Fund. The first year
Massie III, displayed ferns raised by her and
the Fund increased $50,000.
evergreen cuttings rooted by member clubs.
The GCV 4lst Daffodil Show was sponThe Garden Club of Virginia was sadsored by our "baby club" -The Garden Club
dened by the death this year of its famous
Honorary President, Mrs. HerbertMcKelden
of the Northern Neck at the Rappahannock
Community College in Warsaw. The theme
Smith.
was "The First Hundred Years." To quote
Several Bylaws changes were made. The
members on the Restoration Committee inDaffodil Test Chairman, Mrs. Karl F. Hehl,
"our
creased from 8 to 10. The Committee Chairbaby club grew up and bloomed with great
men of Public Relations, The JOURNAL,
success."
Kent-Valentine House, and Conservation
The 55th Annual Meeting of The GCV
were deleted from the Board membership.
was held in Old Town Alexandria. The hostChairmen of the Restoration Committee and
the Historic Garden Week Committee reess club, The Garden Club of Alexandria, was
celebrating its 50th birthday. Mrs. Matheson,
mained on the Board. This change is going
back to the Charter. Directors-at-Large were
Mrs. Gunnell, Mrs. Latham and Mrs. Smith
assigned to committees of their choice.
received special thanks. Lunch by The GarThe Restoration Committee was busy
den Club of Fairfax was served at Woodlawn
21
..
...J
.. '
i_., .
Mrs. Savage.
Jack Gregory
Though the winds of change have
whistled tlrrough The Garden Club of Virginia, it believes, like Josiah Bunting, former
president of Hampden-Sydney College, "You
don't mess with a successful product." The
Garden Club is carrying the same load, only
the train is going a little faster in the 1980s.
For reasons of economy, a supplement to
the Register was published for 1979-1980.
During the 1980s, The Garden Club of
Virginia was the recipient of more than 12
awards from preservation, historic, community, state and tourist organizations for its contribution to the preservation of the history and
beauty of Virginia. Among these commendations were The Garden Club of America's
Medal for Historic Preservation, The Southeast Tourist Society Award to Historic Garden Week as one of the Top Twenty Events in
the Southeast, The Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities' Historic Preservation Award for its preservation of the 17th
century garden at Bacon's Castle, Commonwealth of Virginia Certificate in Recognition
and Appreciation of Volunteer Services to Virginia, Award from Richmond on the Jam es by
the Commonwealth of Virginia Award Committee, Certificate from Mayor of Portsmouth
for Courthouse Landscape.
.. :. " a
~
33
wife of VMI's Superintendent and winner of the first Massie Medal for the
Memorial Garden at VMI. The Common Wealth Fund was also the recipient of $10,000 as a grant from The GCV
Restoration Committee, augmenting its
previous grant of $20,000.
The Restoration Committee Chairman reported that the work on various
projects was going apace and new sites
were being considered. Work on the
plans for the delineation of Lady Jean
Skipwith's garden at Prestwould would
Mrs. Hunter H. McGuire, Jr. and Mrs. Benjamin w. begin September first. The summer
Mears, Jr., 1980 Board of Governors' Meeting.
house at Prestwould had been completed and plans for the display of a
model garden to be housed there had been
ted from the special talents of this gracious
initiated.
and able lady.
Another successful Historic Garden Week
The Board of Directors met at
Tour was held in April, and plans for the 1981
Farmington Country Club in Charlottesville
Tour were under way. The hard work of local
July 26, 1980, and were guests of Dr. and Mrs.
chairmen was noted and thanks extended.
Murrell for dinner and guests of Mr. and Mrs.
The Board responded enthusiastically to
Charles K. Woltz for brunch on Sunday.
The President announced that she
the request for The GCV co-sponsorship in a
planned to prepare a notebook containing
symposium on historic gardens to be held at
guidelines for each Officer and each CommitKenmore.
The papers of Mr. Charles F. Gillette, a
tee Chairman as well as a calendar of activiwell-known landscape architect who assisted
ties. A copy of this notebook would be given
The GCV with restoration projects, were
to the new President at the end of this term.
It was also hoped that the notebook would be
given to the Fiske-Kimball Fine Arts Library
updated annually and passed along.
at the University of Virginia to be preserved
The Lily Show inJune sponsored by the
for future researchers.
Sponsored by The Blue Ridge Garden
Leesburg Garden Club was outstanding and
Club, the Board of Governors' Meeting was
much appreciated by those attending.
The Common Wealth Award Commitheld in Lexington October 14, 15, 16, 1980.
At the Board of Directors' Meeting precedtee announced plans to present four finalists
ing the full meeting, several recommendations
for the first award, the winner to be decided
regarding membership in conservation groups
by the presidents of the member clubs at the
were discussed and decisions reached. A moBoard of Governors' Meeting in October.
tion to endorse the National Coalition to PreThis Committee, which started as an ad hoc
serve Scenic Beauty carried. The Historian
committee during Mrs. Toy Savage, Jr.'s
requested a condensed version of member
(Hunter) term, was continued by Mrs. Murrell
and became a standing committee in 1979,
clubs' histories for the period 1970-1980 to
be placed in each club's file at the Kent-Valwith Mrs. Frederic W. Scott (Elizabeth) as its
entine House along with subsequent annual
first Chairman. Mrs. Scott agreed to continue
histories. This material would be a valuable
in this capacity. It was noted that a contriburesource when the next history is written.
tion of$10,000 to the Common Wealth Fund
The death of Jack Gregory, friend and
had been made by the Wmdsor Foundation,
employee of The GCV, was reported with reInc., of Richmond, given in memory of Mrs.
gret. Jack was truly an "Institution" at the
Anne Owen Cole, who as Mrs. Cocke, was the
34
At the Annual Meeting Mrs. John M. Stetson received the Massie Medal from Mrs. Ben B. Pickett, and
Mrs. William R. Miller received the deLacy Gray Medal from Mrs. James C. Godwin.
Kent-Valentine House and his blessings pronounced at meetings were special and long
remembered.
The Finance Committee recommended
some increases in allowances for Committee
Chairmen because of ever-rising prices.
In an effort to include the Junior and Auxiliary members in GCV activities, a flower
show preview was conducted by Mrs. J . H.
Cunningham (Mary) of the Fauquier and
Loudoun Garden Club, and it was announced
that the Conservation Forum would be open
to them in January.
At this meeting, Mrs. John M. Stetson
(Sally), JOURNAL Editor, reported on the
occasion ofTheJOURNAL's twenty-fifth anniversary. The JOURNAL was founded during the presidency of Mrs. Thomas E. Thorne
(Lelia). Following Mrs. Stetson's delightful
report, the President made a surprise gift to
her-a quill pen set fashioned by Lewis Glaser
of Charlottesville, appropriately engraved.
Members continue to present gifts for the
enhancement of the Kent-Valentine house
furnishings. The most recent gifts were two
handsome pillows designed after the pattern
of an antique Imari plate. These were given
by The Petersburg Garden Club, the needlepoint having been done by Mrs. Edward Williams (Judy) and Mrs. Berkeley Carrington
Bidgood (Happy) of the Gabriella Garden
Club. An attractive hand-made wastebasket
made by Mrs.James C. Spangler (Jane) of the
Gabriella Garden Club was another gift.
The current projects of the Restoration
Committee-the interpretation of the garden
at Prestwould and the historic Portsmouth
Courthouse-were going apace. The Chairman noted that members of the Committee
periodically visit past and current sites of restorations and encouraged members to visit
also, saying that they would find a well-deserved reward for their labor and love for Historic Garden Week Tours in Virginia.
The Rose Show sponsored by The Garden Club of Alexandria was beautifully staged
and was appreciated by those attending. The
work of the individual clubs in presenting these
annual shows was acknowledged with much
gratitude.
The annual banquet was held at VMI,
with the Washington and Lee Choral Group
serenading guests throughout the evening.
The Harvest Buffet at VMI's Marshall Library
35
Mrs. Hugh H. Chatham (Anne Stanley), Governor and Mrs. John N. Dalton and Miss Printz at the
Governor's Mansion.
his 18th-century Catesby prints to The GCV
for display in the Kent-Valentine House. A
special meeting was held in Danville with ten
representatives of the Junior, Provisional and
Auxiliary groups for the purpose ofhaving the
group know who and where other juniors were
as well as the organization and projects of others.
The work of Charlotte Massie (Mrs. J.
Robert Massie, Jr.) with publicity for Historic
Garden Week was praised by the HGW
Chairman. In addition to the acceptance of
articles for a number of magazines, information was sent to 670 newspapers. A formi dable task!
The Conservation Committee continued
its activities in many areas of the environment.
The Committee supported the protection of
the non-vegetated wetlands of the coast and
of the productive farmlands of the state and
hoped to facilitate communication in all aspects of environmental education among
members and to promote environmental education through the schools and public at large.
A revised version of the Handbook for
Annual and Board of Governors' Meetings was
authorized.
and the elegant luncheons added to the enjoyment of the occasion. The first Common
Wealth Award was made to The Blue Ridge
Garden Club for landscaping the entrance to
the C&O walking trail.
The Conservation Committee was off and
running with its many projects and concerns,
including litter control, the formation of Nature Camps, shoreline erosion and the loss of
farmland to development. The theme for the
January 1981 Forum was announced-''The
Atlantic's Last Frontier."
An item of historical interest was announced: "At the Meeting of the Board of
Governors held in Fredericksburg October 27,
192 5, the name of the Federation, which we
were originally called, was changed from
"Clubs" to The Garden Club of Virginia signifying the unity and harmony existing among
the member clubs."
The Winter Meeting of the Board of
Directors was held January 15, 1981, at the
Kent-Valentine H ouse in Richmond.
On recommendation of the Admissions
Committee, Mr. Robert H. Talley, Jr. was
elected to Honorary Membership in The
GCV. Mr. Talley had presented a number of
36
The oft-postponed Winter Board Meeting was finally held in Richmond the 30th of
March, 1982 . The severe weather in January
caused the cancellation of many scheduled
meetings.
The President reported the highlights of
the fall and winter events including the dedication of the Anne Bassett Stanley Garden,
followed by luncheon with Governor and Mrs.
Dalton; the Common Wealth Meeting; an
excellent conservation Forum the next day
which was well attended; a day spent with
members of the Conservation Committee at
the State Legislature; and the Artistic Judging School.
In discussing the activities of the JOURNAL Editor and Assistant Editor, it was suggested that the member clubs' JOURNAL
chairmen be invited once every two years to
attend one of the JOURNAL Committee
meetings in Richmond. It was agreed that this
idea should be implemented beginning the
next September.
The Horticulture Field Day, held at River
Farm with Dr. Marc Cathey, Director of the
National Arboretum as speaker, was most enjoyable and informative.
Lead articles to 670 newspapers
throughout the country were sent out in December. Special articles had been submitted
to magazines and newspapers. "Springtime
in Virginia" supplements were distributed in
the Sunday Times-Dispatch on April 18th and
articles would appear in COUNTRY LIFE,
THE VIRGINIA RECORD, ANTIQUE
MONTHLY, COLONIAL HOMES and others, as well as travel magazines. Gratitude
was expressed to Charlotte Massie and Virginia Williams (Mrs. Richard B. Williams)
for all of their hard work for Historic Garden Week.
Since the Auditor's report is no longer
being printed in the minutes, it was the decision of the Board to have the Treasurer give a
more detailed report at the Board of Governors' Meeting and the Annual Meeting. The
brevity of the summary apparently caused
some concern among members.
The deaths of Rosalie Bell (Mrs. Stewart
Bell, Jr.), an outstanding member of The GCv,
39
MRS. JAMES B.
MONTGOMERY
President
The Garden Club of Virginia
1982-1984
Both my big feet are inadequate to fill even one of] ean
Printz's li'l bitty spike-heel
shoes!
That was my first thought
when I was asked, in the waning days of 1981, to be President of The Garden Club of
Virginia, 1982-1984. But the
best part about following Jean
was that I would have Jean as
mentor, back-up, and good
right arm, jobs she filled for me with as much
finesse as she fills all others. Jean not only
knows all there is to know about The Garden
Club of Virginia, but she has an instinct born
of years of involvement with every facet of The
Club's work. She is a financial wizard, has an
The new
President, Mrs.
James
C.
Godwin, received the gavel
from her dear
friend, Katty
Mears, and announced .that
"Thin is no
longer in, as
Mrs. Mears
shoes would be
hard to fill, and
her clothes impossible."
Ellen Godwin
said when she
took office,
"What we share
is very precious
to me. What I
will represent is
very important Mrs. James C. Godwin.
to us all so, with
the help of a great Board of Directors, expert
Chairmen, and tinder the watchful eye of the
Past Presidents, I will try very hard to be a
LADY."
The two Presidents, past and present,
having roomed together for many years (BBP)
before being President, shared their hopes and
dreams for The Garden Club of Virginia.
Five days later Mrs. Mears and Mrs.
Godwin forayed to Pittsburgh to receive the
Historic Preservation Award of The Garden
Club of America on behalf of The Garden
Club of Virginia. The GCV was nominated
for this award by The Garden Club of Norfolk and seconded by The James River Garden Club.
Mrs. Godwin admitted that having her
first meeting sponsored by her own club, The
Nansemond River Garden Club, in October
1986, offered great challenges. Mrs. Lawrence
N. Smith agreed that even Mrs. Godwin's
husband had been pressed into service as he
had handpainted the tote bags given to all participants.
At the fall Board of Governors' Meeting,
Mrs. Edward A. Barham, Jr. gives Mrs. Godwin the traditional picture of her Board.
Mrs. Godwin announced some highlights
and headlines of her administration:
7. After a trip to Elizabeth Arden FarmThe GCV President loses at Maine Chance."
Upon Mrs. Godwin's retirement, Mrs.
Benjamin W Mears, Jr., paid tribute to "the
grace, diligence, faithfulness, humor, intelligence, and charm with which she served like a
great lady."
4. Late winter affects her daffodils Bad Weather keeps Flower Show Committee
in their cups.
fields."
Mrs. Thomas T. Tullidge (Flo) and Mrs.
Robert C. Wood ill (Mina) were hostesses for
The GCV Board of Directors winter meeting
Tuesday, January 17, 1989, at the Kent-Valentine House. Mrs. Talley had represented
The GCVat the Miller and Rhoads Forum,
not knowing it would be the last of them, and
at the gala opening of the architecturally lush
auditorium of the Woman's Club in Richmond.
The Restoration Committee had approved two new projects at its
meeting earlier in the month.
The Committee Chairman,
Mrs. Hopkins, reported that a
tree-planting plan for Virginia
Union University and the restoration of the Grace Arents
Garden at Bloemendaal, the
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, both awaited approval of
their respective boards; these
were subsequently granted.
The new telephone system for
the Historic Garden Week ofAt the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden with Director Robert Hebb, fice was explained. Technology
May 1989.
was catching up with The
GCV-and vice versa.
of their five children are doctors. The judge
Mrs. Carter announced for the Conserof the Domestic Relations Court in
vation Committee a gift of $1,000 from The
Lynchburg is a member of The Garden Club
Ashland Garden Club, the income to pay for
of Virginia. The owner and operator of the
the Meritorious Achievement Award made
largest Charolais cattle farm east of the Misannually at the Forum to an industry, organisissippi is a member of The Garden Club of
zation, or individual not a member of The
Virginia.
Gcv. On the.Conservation Committee's rec"You are realtors, teachers, and nurses.
ommendation, the Board approved a new desYou are published authors and painters exhibignation, the Elizabeth Cabell Dugdale Award
for Conservation, to honor a lifelong conserited nationally. You started and run successful vineyards. You serve on local school boards
vationist who organized the first Conservaand on the boards of colleges and universition F arum and served as Chairman of the
ties. You have helped establish and led countConservation Committee, 1956-1958.
less institutions that are the pride of the ComSnow did not cause schedule problems for
monwealth; among them are the Chesapeake
the January meetings in 1989, but waited unBay Foundation, the Preservation Alliance, the
til March 8, the day of the annual Judging
Conservation Council, and numerous local
School, which had to be rescheduled. March
historical societies, hospital auxiliaries and inmade up for this on the 28th, however, when
dependent schools. The Garden Club of VirHorticulture Field Day at Bloemendaal
ginia is proud to claim you, and proud that
danced with daffodils in full bloom. Daffoyou include its work among your chosen
dils danced also in Danville April 12 and 13,
56
Mrs. Talley, the Rev. Cotesworth P. Lewis, Mrs. Robert L. Hopkins, Jr., Mr. Ivor Noel Hume, Mrs.
Benjamin W. Mears, Jr. and Governor Albertis S. Harrison at the Bacon Castle's presentation, May
1989.
would be solved only by a second radical
change in the publication. On the bright side,
Jody Brinkley announced at the Board Meeting a record preliminary Historic Garden
Week gross of$368,583.20 for 1989, her final
figure to report as Chairman of Historic Garden Week.
The 69th Annual Meeting of The Garden Club of Virginia, held in Richmond after
this Board Meeting, was a time to remember.
Headquartered in Hotel Jefferson, with tours
of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, the Valentine Museum, and the White House of the
Confederacy, tea at the Executive Mansion,
dinner at Brandon with the Hon. and Mrs.
Robert W. Daniel, Jr., and a banquet decorated in black and white with mirror-covered
tables and favors from Chanel, the Meeting
was masterfully planned and executed. Mrs.
FitzGerald Bemiss (Margaret), President of
The James River Garden Club, with Mrs. E.
Reed Carter (Elisabeth), chairman, and Mrs.
John K. Burke (Archer), assistant chairman,
seemed to orchestrate the proceedings without effort. The only hitch added to the enter-
ing.
Gray Medal.
Next morning, meeting participants heard
proposals for the Common Wealth Award to
be made the following fall. Before naming
seven recipients of Horticultlure Awards of
Merit, Horticulture Chairman Gale Roberts
complimented clubs on a tricky exhibit, saying, "You are all winners with iris! But The
Brunswick Garden Club captured the flag
when Mr. Favretti discovered in that exhibit a
variety he has been trying to find the name of
for years."
Clarkie Jester made her debut as Editor
of The JOURNAL and UPDATE at the 1990
Annual Meeting of The GCV. "A number of
you have expressed, 'Wow, what a job!' and
you're right: Wow, what a wonderful job!" she
said, projecting the combination of youth,
competence, and enthusiasm she would bring
to the publications. "I look forward to an exciting future with you and your club members as we share our interests, our ideas and
our talents."
Mrs. Talley announced the retirement of
Mrs.James W. Perkinson ofThe Garden Club
of Danville, Rose Test Chairman since 1978.
"A native of North Carolina, a Phi Beta Kappa
graduate of Duke, the mother of three and a
devoted grandmother, Siggie possesses a passion for gardening," said Mrs. Talley. "She
has always been an extremely strong member
of The Garden Club of Danville, serving on
its board from before her presidency, 19671969, until this illness, ever generous with her
knowledge and her talents. We are grateful
that she shared them with The Garden Club
of Virginia."
An interesting address by Karen Wible of
the Mariner's Museum preceded the report of
Mrs. Benjamin W. Mears,Jr., Chairman of the
Nominating Committee. Referring to the
passing of the torch for games in ancient
Greece, Mrs. Talley turned over the wellmended gavel and the diamond pin given by
Mrs. Clayton B. Etheridge for the President
to wear during her term of office, to Mrs.
Henley L. Guild, saying, "Having the light,
carry it on. For two years, I have run with the
torch. Now I light the next runner's torch.
The next runner will never flag."
1990-1995
The Garden Club of Virginia is a success
story. The early planners knew that no wind
blows in favor of a ship without a destination.
So they charted a course which The Garden
Club of Virginia has sailed without mishap for
75 years. The wind blew in many exciting
plans for The Garden Club of Virginia in the
early 1990s.
The Garden Club of Virginia received a
wonderful bequest from Mrs. Jam es Bland
Martin in 1992. Teen, the 22nd President of
The Garden Club of Virginia, died in 1983,
and, at the death of her husband, James Bland
Martin, in 1992, The Club received a choice
of the lovely furnishings in their home, Kittery
Point in Gloucester, and a bequest of $2 5,000
to the Past Presidents' Fund.
The fund and various gifts were used to
enclose the porch on the west side of the KentValentine House and furnish it with their
handsome iron furniture. The porch was completed in 1992 and adds a touch of elegance to
the house.
Possible changes in the Board of Governors' and Annual Meetings of The Garden
Club of Virginia were discussed at the Board
of Governors' Meeting in 1992.
Charlotte Massie resigned as Editor of the
Historic Garden Week of Virginia Guidebook
and Director of Publicity in 1992. Suzanne
Munson was hired to take her place.
Mr. Ron Chiabotta was elected an Honorary Member of The Garden Club of Virginia.
Long-Range Planning Committee Chairmen Lee Cochran and Barbara Catlett worked
long and hard with Fred Cox of Marcellus
Wright Cox and Smith Architectural Firm,
with Peter Knowles of Taylor and Parrish Inc.,
and with Jack Zehmer, Executive Director of
Historic Richmond Foundation, on the longrange plans for the Kent-Valentine House.
With the completion of Phase I, the Martin
Room, the committee moved ahead with
Phase IL A definite plan was approved for
the construction of an elevator wing on the
east side of the Kent-Valentine House. The
65
tower wing would include necessary and required fire safety stairs and handicapped
restrooms for all levels of the house. Now
the Long-Range Planning Committee could
approach individuals and foundations for gifts
and grants.
Researching the history of the Kent-Valentine House was another aspect of the master plan. Laura Carr, a graduate student in
Museum Studies at VCU, was appointed to
research the history of the house under the
supervision of Dr. Charles Brownell, professor of Art History at VCU.
The Junior Garden Club of Norfolk was
invited in May 1992 to join The Garden Club
of Virginia. Renamed the Harborfront Garden Club, it became the 46th member club of
The Garden Club of Virginia.
The Garden Club of Virginia Members'
Handbook was revised and updated in 1993.
A General Assembly Resolution of Recognition of 60 years of Historic Garden Week
in Virginia was given to The Garden Club of
Virginia.
Among the outstanding gifts to the KentValentine House were 2 5 serving pieces of
Georg Jensen Silver from Mrs. Clayton
Ethridge, a former member of The Garden
Club of Fairfax.
The Garden Club of Virginia gave garden lovers and historians a sumptuous volume,
Gardens & Landscapes ofVtrgi-nia, in 1993. The
richness and variety of these Virginia gardens
lent credence to the talent of Richard Cheek,
a genius behind the camera. Rudy J. Favretti,
noted American landscape architect, matched
in word the beauty of the gardens highlighted
in this unique publication.
Mrs. Herbert L. Aman III, Mrs. Guild and Mrs. Edward A. Barham, Jr. at Judging School.
make everyone welcome. T he Board met at
the home of Mrs. Nicholas G. Wilson ill for
a delicious lunch and long afternoon meeting.
Lucy Ellett (Mrs. Frank T. Ellett), Conservation Chairman, made a motion that The
GCV adopt a resolution strongly supporting
energy policies, on both the state and the national level, that encourage conservation, energy efficiency, and development of renewable
energy sources. The motion passed.
Mina Wood, Second Vice President, reported that the Inter-Club Speakers' Bureau
Booklet had been completed and would be
distributed to the membership at the general
meeting.
During a wonderful evening at the Marine Science Museum, members had the opportunity to enjoy The Marsh Walk and to
see "Wildflowers by the Seaside," The Vll'ginia Beach Garden Club project that won the
Common Wealth Award in October.
One of the first announcements at the
Meeting the next morning was that Joseph C.
Carter, Jr., a senior partner in the law firm of
Hunton and Williams, had been made an
Honorary Member of The Garden Club of
Virginia. Mr. Carter had served The Garden
Club of Virginia for over 20 years without remuneration.
dress for a gala dinner at Mrs. Charles H. Schutte, Jr., Mrs. Guild, Mrs. Paul W Mengel and Mrs.
the Virginia Beach Cen- Frank T. Ellett, 1991 Summer Board Meeting.
ter for the Arts. The climax of the evening was
Richmond Foundation. Mr. Zehmer stressed
the awarding of The GCV's highest honors.
the importance of planning for all the future
A very surprised and disbelieving Jean Printz,
use at the time a structure's physical and masa former President of The GCVand a memter plan is formulated. He indicated that a
ber of the Rivanna Garden Club for 31 years,
"team project is absolutely vital" and referred
was the recipient of the Massie Medal for her
to a team as an architect, engineer, and conoutstanding work in gardening and the comtractor. The Committee voted to pursue the
munity. An equally surprised Bessie Bocock
formulation of a master plan and to use the
Carter (Mrs. Robert Carter) was awarded the
interest from the General Maintenance Fund
deLacy Gray Medal for championing Envifor the necessary study and survey by Taylor
ronmental Action in Virginia. Bessie's mother,
and Parrish, Inc. of the Kent-Valentine House
Mrs.John H. Bocock, had received the medal
structure and all systems. The study and sur69
tine House by The GCV in 1971. Mrs. FlowJam es Bland Martin. Teen Martin was the
22nd President of The Garden Club of Virers said: "In spite of its growth in importance,
ginia and the author of Follow the Grem Arthere are only two major changes in The Garden Club of Virginia over the years since 1920.
row. She died in 1983 and her husband,James
One was founding Historic Garden Week in
Bland Martin, died in 1992. At his death, her
will directed that The GCV receive such items
1929 and using revenue from this yearly
of furnishings in their home as desired for use
project to restore historic Virginia gardens.
The other was buying in 1971, restoring, and
in the Kent-Valentine House. In a letter to
using the Kent-Valentine House for The GCV
Hunter Savage (Mrs. Toy D. Savage, Jr.) in
Headquarters. Who knows what exciting ven1978, Teen wrote; "The greatest joy in my life,
tures are ahead for us!" Following Mrs. Flowaside from my husband, has come from my
ers' history, the club presidents began their
association with The Garden Club of Virginia
Round-Table Discussions on the Kent-Valenand it will give me great satisfaction to have
tine House.
the things I love come to rest at the Kent-ValThe GCV Board of Directors met in
entine House." The will further stated that a
cash amount would be left to the Past PresiRichmond inJ anuary 1992. Bessie Carter, Lidents' Fund of The GCV.
aison to the Admissions Committee, moved
Mrs. Guild then announced that the
that The Garden Club of Virginia invite the
Board of Directors had authorized her to apJunior Garden Club of Norfolk to membership. The motion carried and would be taken
point a Long-Range Planning Committee to
to The GCV Annual Meeting in May as a recwork with an architect to implement a master
ommendation from the Board to be
voted upon by the membership.
The Board discussed the fact that
the rising cost of having Annual and
Board of Governors' Meetings was a
concern to many clubs and that the
registration fee for these Meetings was
unrealistic. A motion was made to increase each of these to $50.00, and the
motion carried.
Mrs. Guild ended the meeting by
announcing the 1992-1994 slate of
Officers submitted by the Nominating Committee. The new President
of The Garden Club of Virginia
would be Mrs. W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr.
The 72nd Annual Meeting of
The Garden Club of Virginia was
held in Lynchburg. The Board met
at Shan-Shui, the mountain-top home
of Pat and Gordon Leggett. A picnic
under yellow and white tents at
Pharsalia, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Mrs. Guild, Mrs. Charles H. Schutte, Jr. and Mr. Rudy J.
George Flippen, Jr., with the rain Favretti at the 1992 Annual Meeting.
clearing as the buses drove in was a
plan for the Kent-Valentine House. Mrs.
rare treat.
In her report to the membership, Mrs.
George M. Cochran (Lee) and Mrs. Richard
Guild told of a wonderful and generous beCatlett, Jr. (Barbara), were appointed Chairmen of the Committee.
quest to The GCV from the estate of Mrs.
71
MRS. W. TAYLOE
MURPHY, JR.
President
The Garden Club of Virginia
1992-1994
She said surely among the accomplishments of the past two years was the acceptance
of the Junior Garden Club of Norfolk (soon
to be known as the Harborfront Garden Club)
as the 46th member club of The GCV was
among the top.
Luncheons in members' homes and a tour
of Poplar Forest followed the morning meeting.
At the banquet at the Boonsboro Country Club the Massie Medal was awarded to
The Garden Club of the Northern Neck, an
outstanding member club of The GCV, and
the deLacy Gray Medal to Mrs. Russell
Arundel, a conservation leader who had demonstrated a love for the natural environment
and a responsibility for its preservation.
The speakers the following morning were
Barbara Hill, President of Sweet Briar College, and Linda Koch Lorimer, President of
Randolph-Macon Woman's College. They
spoke on women's education.
A motion was made that the slate presented by the Nominating Committee be accepted and the Secretary be instructed to cast
a unanimous ballot.
In her introduction of the new President,
72
when members donned wet suits at the KentValentine House and went rafting through the
rapids of the James River in Richmond. We
visited Williams Dam and learned about the
proposed breaching of it to allow the passage
of anadromous fish to the upper branches of
the river. Mrs. Murphy's interest in conservation and the out-of-doors had prompted her
to ask the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay to
arrange the adventure. She was gratified by
the many comments favorable to The Garden Club of Virginia which she heard.
One of the most embarrassing moments
of Mrs. Murphy's term (if not of her life) occurred when, within one minute of her arrival
at the Daffodil Show in Harrisonburg, she
knocked over a flower arrangement and broke
the vase. The Spotswood Garden Club members could not have been more gracious to the
mortified President and soon had another pair
of arrangements on either side of the place
where the trophies were presented.
The enclosure of the porch on the west
side of the Kent-Valentine House was completed for Garden Week and received raves
from everyone who saw it. It was not only
architecturally pleasing, but also added light
to the library and "opened up" the House.
The Martin furniture from the porch at
Kittery Point looked as though it was made
for our new porch which immediately became
the favorite location for small meetings.
During the Spring of 1993 many members went to a tea in Staunton to celebrate 60
years of The Garden Club of Virginia's relationship with Woodrow Wilson's Birthplace
and also to Orange County for the presentation of the restoration of the walled garden at
Montpelier, followed by a lovely garden party
on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon.
The Annual Meeting in May 1993 was
held in Portsmouth with The Elizabeth River
Garden Club as hostess. Although this club
was no longer the newest Garden Club of Virginia Member Club, it had never sponsored a
meeting before. With Mrs. Edward A.
Barham, Jr. (Susan) and Mrs. Richard S. Bray
Q"udy; Mrs. Stephen S. Perry, Jr.) as co-chairmen, the two-day event was pure pleasure.
There was even enough money left over that
76
Mrs. Murphy with her club's ribbon winning entry, 1993 Lily Show.
Board presented the soon-to-be-retired President with a composite picture of all those who
served on "her" Board, a mug, and a sweatshirt
with The Garden Club of Virginia seal on
front, the Kent-Valentine House on the back,
and Murphy down the sleeve. Lunch was
served by Mrs. Murray and Mrs. T. Austin
Sydnor, Jr. (Peggy). The meeting came next,
and in her final report to the Board, Mrs.
Murphy said: "Being President has been more
work, more time-consuming, and far more fun
than I could ever have imagined."
Mrs. Sydnor reported on the activities of
the Junior Virginia Beach Garden Club, the
only remaining junior garden club to be affiliated with The Garden Club of Virginia.
Mrs. Mears announced that at its April meeting, the Restoration Committee voted to
pledge $200,000, payable over a four-year pe. riod, to the East Tower addition to the KentValentine House. She said, "Although the
major portion of Garden Week funds will still
be designated toward our ongoing restoration,
the members of this Committee felt that this
gift will ultimately benefit the community as
well as all Garden Club of Virginia members
and, with the enthusiasm it would generate,
would serve as an impetus for additional gifts."
After Mrs. Leggett gave the report of the
Kent-Valentine House Long-Range Planning
Committee, the Board voted unanimously to
support this project financially.
Dinner following the Board Meeting was
in the private homes of several Albemarle
Garden Club members, and everyone had a
delightful evening.
The two business sessions of the Annual
Meeting took place at the Omni Hotel. In
her report, Mrs. Murphy said: "Two years ago
when I was elected President at the Annual
Meeting in Lynchburg, I said that I approached my duties with some apprehension.
I thought of all those who had been President since I attended my first Annual Meeting and was sure that the job required the business sense of Jean Printz, the charm of Dot
Montgomery, the style of Katty Mears, the
sense of humor of Ellen Godwin, the intelligence of Nancy Talley, and the talent and grace
of Virginia Guild. While all of these qualities
81
MRS.H.GORDONLEGGETr,JR
President
The Garden Club of Virginia
1994-1996
For an incoming President to receive the
gavel from Mrs. W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr.
(Helen) was an inspiring moment. Her devotion and dedication to The Garden Club of
Virginia set the highest standards for her successor to uphold. Helen had tremendous pride
in the organization's accomplishments, and
this pride was visible to all who met and
worked with her. The pursuit of her responsibilities was a pursuit of pleasure.
She brought experience and knowledge
to the presidency.
She had the best
credentials for holding office. She
served as a board
member of state organizations involved
in areas of education, conservation
and beautification.
As an active supporter of her husband and his successful political career in Virginia's
legislature, she kept
a reading on the
State's political
pulse.
This 37th President
ran The Garden
Mrs. H. Gordon
Club of Virginia
Leggett, Jr.
mentally and also
83
9ala
in celebration of our
7stfi <Birthday
<Tuesday, October tentli
sir-tliirty in tfie evening
'Black. tie
(Missy).
dan of Cbarlottesvil le
before dinner.
Gala organizers
Nancy Tucker (left to
right). Alice McGolre,
Pat Leggett (current
president or The
Garden Club of Vir
ginia) and Kitty
Claiborne savor a
quiet moment art.er 18
months of planning.
0 Fred Pollard of
Richmond. former
lieutenant governor,
settles ln for the
eventnc.
Fisher of Westover
(left) with Kirk
Clarkson of Norfolk.
85
Whitten orchestra.
The second important birthday that we
shall be celebrating is that of our headquarters, Kent-Valentine House. This house was
built in 1845 by Mr. Horace Kent, originally
from Connecticut, and the proprietor of a successful dry goods firm. He owned two lots on
Franklin Street, and asked Mr. Isaiah Rogers,
an architect from Boston, to draw plans for a
house to be placed on this land.
The year 199 5 marks the 15 0th birthday
of the Kent-Valentine House. When one
reaches one-and-a-half centuries, a face lift,
corrective surgery and internal support are
necessary undertakings that one must address.
A capital campaign is being conducted - the
first ever by The Garden Club of Virginia.
The goal is to raise $2,000,000 for renovations and the addition of a stair/elevator tower.
Part of this goal will be to raise $500,000 of
additional endowment, because the present
amount does not generate sufficient income
to maintain the building. Our member clubs
and membership have been asked to contribute, and we shall be going outside "our family" for the first time for financial support.
Suggestions made at the 1991 Board of
Governors' round table discussions, a study
made by the Kent-Valentine Long-Range
Planning Committee, and an on-site evaluation of the building by the contractual firm of
Taylor and Parrish revealed the following
needs:
The mechanical and electrical systems
must be upgraded and modernized. A sprinkler system should be extended to all areas of
the house. We run a very successful business
in our headquarters - the business of Historic
Garden Week. The office is located in the
house, and in order to operate a successful
business, the office space and equipment must
be improved. Instant communication is a capability that we should have in order to stay
current on legislative, conservation, and preservation issues.
Because the house is a meeting place for
all our committees, the meeting space must
be improved and enlarged. Adequate climatically-controlled storage for all the records and
historic garden restoration plans which are
86
row.
Mrs. Timothy L. Bryan, Mrs. George H. Flowers Jr., Mrs. Hill Carter, Mrs. Henley L. .Guild, Mrs.
Charles H. Schutte, Jr., and Mrs. Josiah Pollard Rowe III have lunch at the 1994 Daffodil Show.
Jamestown interpreted by Bill Kelso.
The Garden Club of Virginia has remained the moving force in preservation and
restoration in the Commonwealth. The Restoration Committee continued to ensure that
Virginia's historic gardens remain a visual
legacy of the past. In the fall of 1994, the garden at the Robert E. Lee House in Lexington
was dedicated. The garden at Kenmore, our
first restoration completed in 1929, has been
revisited, redesigned, and replanted and will
be dedicated on April 28, 1996.
A new project was initiated by the Restoration Committee and approved by the membership at the 1995 Annual Meeting in Norfolk. Garden restorations undertaken by The
Garden Club of Virginia must be open to the
public on a regular basis; therefore, many privately-owned gardens have never been documented. Some of these gardens may be lost
to future garden historians. A Fellowship Program will be instituted whereby graduate students enrolled in an accredited program of
landscape architecture at any university in the
United States will be eligible. A committee
will select a student who will receive a stipend
The Garden Club of Virginia Presidents at the 1995 Board of Governors' Meeting: (seated) Mesdames
Talley, Flowers, Montgomery, Savage, Williams, Murphy, (standing) Leggett, Godwin, Kellam, Mears,
Guild, Tilrner, and Cochran.
Club for "outstanding leadership in conservation and preservation." The nomination was
made by the Virginia Division of Tourism
which stated that "the work of The Garden
Club of Virginia has always been a great asset
to the Commonwealth's tourism program."
When The Garden Club of Virginia was
founded, the world was a different place. Our
founding ladies had definite goals. The main
purpose for forming The Garden Club as
stated in Follow the Green Arrow, was for "increasing their knowledge of plants and the
beautifying of cities, towns, highways as well
as the conservation of the rich endowment of
nature." This organization has changed but
89
1970-1980
When the Albemarle Garden Club
reached the age of 60 in 1973, it turned with
resolution toward the future and became more
deeply "concerned with the total environment." Club members wisely recognized that
an effort to protect our ecosystem would be
wasted if it were not shared with the younger
generation.
In 1974, a blue-jean clad Albemarle member could be spotted in road ditches leading
trash-picking teen-agers who filled 75 feed
sacks on the very first day of this Battle of the
Bottle. Another member was leading 2 5
youngsters, two of them from Charlottesville,
through the Everglades for an unforgettable
ecological experience. Other ladies from the
Albemarle Garden Club were distributing
conservation packets to each and every local
school, helping students to convert a waste
area into a mini-park, or helping landscape a
University of Virginia dormitory. Every year
the club sent two children to Nature Camp.
The club undertook large civic projects
as well. In the early 1970s it took the first
step in landscaping the regional Piedmont Virginia Community College. Such a large enterprise required the collaboration of the local Council of Garden Clubs and of HANDS.
This endeavor was completed in 197 6 with a
water garden. Its two original planners and
landscape gardeners, Mrs. T. Austin Sydnor,
90
1980-1990
The Albemarle Garden Club celebrated
a great anniversary, its 70th, in the very house
where it was founded in 1913 - Morven. For
the last time, club members were welcomed
there by a great hostess, Mrs. Whitney Stone,
who until her death had kept her magnificent
gardens open every day of Historic Garden
Weeksincethe 1930s. This was 1983, theyear
the University of Virginia made plans to encroach on the grounds of the club's botanical
collection at Morea. Reluctantly, the club took
the matter to court, but alas, David does not
always win over Goliath. Despite the fact that
Morea was used as a "live classroom" by professors of landscape architecture at the University, the club lost.
During the 1980s the last Albemarle
member who continued to wear a hat at each
and every club meeting finally gave up and
appeared bareheaded. Melancholy years?
Certainly not. Albemarle was turning a page,
with a sigh, but with elan. It revised and modernized its bylaws, consolidated its committees, and created a new award for The Garden Club ofVrrginia, the Jennette Rustin Trophy, which was first given at the 1982 Daffodil Show.
Mrs. Frederic W Scott (Elizabeth) was
elected First Vice President of The Garden
Club of Virginia in 1982 and received the
deLacy Gray Memorial Medal in 1984. The
Albemarle Garden Club sponsored the 5lst
Annual Daffodil Show in 1984, fifty-two years
after it had organized the first "Narcissus
Show" in 1931.
1990-1995
For the Albemarle Garden Club the nineties have been, are, and will be the years of big
projects. Two rummage sales, known as "A
91
1990-1995
The club participated in the Backyard
Demonstration, a recycling project sponsored
by the American Horticultural Society, by
landscaping the area and supplying volunteers.
Mrs. Arthur B. Culvahouse, Jr., (Mari Lou),
was the spark for the project. In 1993-1994,
she engineered the making of a video "From
Garbage to Gold" narrated by Dean Norton,
horticulturist at Mount Vernon. The project
was financed by The Garden Club of Alexandria and several commercial backers. It will
be available free of charge to clubs.
In the fall of 1993, a "Morning in the
Country" was held at the home of Leslie Ariail.
A house and garden tour, plant sale, gourmet
pantry, and commercial booth made the day a
huge financial success.
Club presidents during the early 1990s
were Mrs. William F. Smith, Mrs. F. Brook
Voght, and Mrs. Thomas C. Brown, Jr.
1980-1990
The GCV Rose Show was sponsored
again by The Garden Club of Alexandria in
1980.
Mrs.Jane R. Gunnell made weekly radio
broadcasts for the Piedmont Conservation
Council.
A needlepoint rug, depicting wetlands in
Virginia, which was designed by Mrs.John H.
Ariail, Jr. (Leslie), stitched by members, and
won by a woman in Santa Barbara, California, yielded $4,000 to the club's Civic Projects
Fund. In-club projects were held to cover
costs of projects at the YMCA and American
Red Cross buildings.
From a booth at the Designer Show
House, the club sold tote bags, aprons, and
stationery with Old Towne motifs made by
93
1980-1990
Many members were recognized for outstanding service during the 1980s. Mrs.
Hopkins served again as The GCV Treasurer
from 1980 to 1982, Chairman of Finance
(1982-1984), Second Vice President (19841986), Chairman of Finance (1986-1988), and
Chairman of the Restoration Committee
(1988-1990).
Mrs. Larry E. Gilman (Brenda) and Mrs.
William Glave (Felicia) made the arrangement
for the "Fine Arts and Flowers" at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The arrangement
interpreted Van Gogh's "Wheat Fields Behind
St. Paul's Hospital" and was one of ten to be
featured in Southern Accents.
The AGC sponsored The GCV Board of
Governors' Meeting in October 1984. Kings
Dominion rolled out the red carpet. Dr. Hill
Carter, Jr. donned his railroad conductor's attire and furnished his train collection for table
decorations for the dinner in the Estes Dining Hall at Randolph-Macon College. A good
time was had by all.
Mrs. James W Midyette, Jr. (Tudie) re94
1980-1990
The 1980s came in with a bang. The
Augusta Garden Club sponsored The GCV
Board of Governors' Meeting in October,
1982. Club members felt privileged to have
96
1990-1995
Conservation went from members attending Conservation Forums to personal and
practical approaches. The club encouraged
recycling, hot lines to state representatives for
environmental legislation, and distribution of
information to public and private schools.
Each year a scholarship was given to a student
for Nature Camp. It was rewarding to get
their appreciative notes.
Mrs. P. William Moore, Jr. (Lisa) was
elected a Director-at-Large from 1992 to
1995, and Mrs. Rudolph Bumgardner Ill
(Deedy) Director of Public Relations 19941996.
On May 3, 1991, representatives of The
Garden Club ofVirginia attended the dedication ceremony of the Woodrow Wilson Birthplace Museum. The gardens, courtyard, paved
alley, and walks were a gift from The Garden
Club of Virginia - its third generous gift to
the Birthplace. Plans, drawn by Rudy J.
Favretti, The Garden Club ofVirginia's landscape architect, included trees, bulbs, boxwood, and perennials.
In the past a working relationship existed
between The AGC and the Staunton Public
97
1980-1990
The Blue Ridge Garden Club prepared
in 1970 for The Garden Club of Virginia Lily
Shows in 1973 and 1974. The members
talked, listened, and planted lilies. The Shows,
held in Evans Dining Hall at Washington and
Lee University, were glorious to behold. The
judges were entertained, exhibitors were cared
for, and visitors were greeted. Frosted Gilby
gin bottles were put on display and guided lilylovers to proper places. Members giggled as
they passed to the next club both the pedestals and the gin bottles used for horticulture.
Having free time after the Shows were
over, members went back to weeding and
pruning in the Bertha Townes Garden at
Stonewall Jackson Hospital. In 1977 The Blue
Ridge Garden Club won the Massie Medal for
the creation and maintenance of the Bertha
Whitney Townes Memorial Courtyard Garden at the Hospital. Bulbs were planted along
Woods Creek to beautify the town. Battles
were fought and letters were written to keep
Goshen Pass as it was (not improved and enlarged). Members helped and encouraged
young people in the community in a "cleanup" campaign to remove litter from the highways.
Mrs. McCluer Gilliam (Mary Stuart)
served as The GCV Chairman of Finance
(1972-1974), Parliamentarian and Editor of
the Register (1974-1976), and a Director-atLarge (1979-1982). Mrs. William W. Old III
1996).
The Blue Ridge Garden
Club prepared to sponsor
The GCVLily Show in 1997
and to work for Rockbridge
County and Virginia in the
future .
Club presidents during the
early 1990s were Mrs. Albert
C. Gordon, Mrs. H. Laurent
Boetsch, Mrs. Thomas Gentry, and Mrs.John Prillaman.
THE BOXWOOD
GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
Theb' Boxwood Garden
Cl
u s 1ast 2 5 years were
filled with learning, doing,
Books on these subjects were
a sizable collection was presented to the Richmond Public Library long
before the Kent-Valentine House became the
headquarters of The Garden Club of Virginia.
The highlight of 1970 was the selection
of Mrs. George H. Flowers,Jr. (Mary Frances)
as President of The Garden Club of Virginia.
Soon after, with Mrs. Flowers as President,
the Kent-Valentine House was purchased by
The Garden Club of Virginia for its headquarters.
The club received the first deLacy Gray
Medal in 1970
as the result of a plan implemented earlier by
Mrs. Flowers and Mrs. William A.Johns (Logan) to develop the James River area as a public park.
In October of that same year Mrs. Benjamin Harrison (Mary) and Mrs. Heth Owen,
Jr. (Margery) presented a program, "Fashions
in Table Settings," for a club meeting. It was
delightful and soon was being shown to other
garden clubs.
With Mrs. Ivor Massey (Anne) and Mrs.
Charles A. Gregory, Jr. (Bess) as co-chairmen,
Boxwood sponsored The GCV 1971 Rose
Show. There was an opportunity for all members to participate in some capacity. Mrs.
an dMrs. Wi.,,
Mrs Thomas H Tullzdge,
Mrs. B. McCluer Gzllzam
111
8
d ,1G
'M
iam W. Old III at the 19 0 Boar, o1 overnors eetzng.
and having fun.
George M. Brooke, Jr., Mrs. Carrington C.
Tutwiler, Jr., Mrs. I. Taylor Saunders II, Mrs.
purchased, and
Taylor, Jr.
1990-1995
promoter of Prestwould.
Club presidents during the 1970s were
Mrs. A. R. Meredith, Jr., Mrs. Clarence T.
Orgain, Mrs.James T. Butler, Jr., Mrs. W. H .
Perkinson, and Mrs. Charles A. Perkinson,Jr.
1980-1990
For Historic Garden Week in the 1980s,
the Brunswick Garden Club continued its
policy of opening homes that are far off and
homes that are nigh. With journeys to Amelia,
Mecklenburg, Hampden-Sydney, Blackstone,
Farmville, and Longwood College, it also had
a Brunswick County tour. Club members rallied to the call for hostesses at Brandon Plantation several times and at Prestwould perennially.
The tradition of a Christmas party for
members and spouses was begun with the
home of the lucky hostess completely decorated for the season by club members. One
year the decorations were judged. The party
pushed back into November the annual "Holiday Auction" of baked goods and handmade
items. Proceeds from this auction have gone
to the Kent-Valentine House, Village View
Foundation in Emporia, and The GCV
projects.
Jr.
and Governor
(Anne) served in three GCV positions: Chairman of the Admissions Committee, Chairman
of the Slides Collection, and a Director-atLarge.
Club presidents during the 1980s were
Mrs. Lucy F. Peebles, Mrs. Charles F. Parker,
Mrs. Clifton R. Long, Mrs. Jam es T. Butler,
Jr., and Mrs. William B. Bishop.
1990-1995
Community projects and a special sentimental journey have highlighted the decade
so far.
In 1990, the Brunswick Garden Club
sponsored four appearances in local schools
by Ed Clarke, President and Director of the
Wildlife Center of Virginia at Weyers Cave.
His program, which featured a golden eagle
that had been treated at the center, stressed
wildlife habitat preservation.
The club began in this decade a program
of participating with the Virginia Department
TIIE CHARLOTI'ESVILLE
GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
Early in this decade members braved hurricane Agnes to meet and approve sending a
check to the newly acquired Kent-Valentine
House. About this time an unusual motion
was passed to extend an invitation to a deceased member's husband (Mr. Charles
103
paring for one of its most ambitious fund-raising endeavors,"An Entertaining Experience,"
with Keith Knost, a well-known interior designer from Shepherdstown, West Virginia.
The hard work paid off, and it was a beautiful
show.
The club's bylaws regarding membership
and meeting time were studied and amended.
In 1992, the club allocated $750 fora Speaker's
Fund with odd amounts at the end of the year
to go into a Flowers Shows Fund. After much
study, a new garden calendar was completed
by the committee in 1992. Members took at
least 5 at $5 each, placed copies in garden supply stores, and carried them to The GCV
meetings and to the Council of Garden Clubs.
The calendar is now in its second printing.
The club seemed addicted to rooftop gardens. It researched a new project, a rooftop
garden for the Martha Jefferson Hospital. In
1993, a committee planted flowers and bulbs
in the "Courtyard."
Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood Frizzell (Gale)
won an astonishing number of awards and ribbons at state and American Daffodil Society
shows.
The Charlottesville Garden Club was
pleased to have as its able leaders during the
1990s Mrs. P. Harris Leggett (Pattye), Mrs.].
A. Kessler, Jr. (Kate), and Mrs. John E.
Maddux Gane).
1990-1995
park.
In May 1971, the club celebrated its 50th
birthday with a dinner at the Cedars Country
Club.
The formal presentation of the restored
first Clerk's Office of Pittsylvania to the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors was held June
9, 1971. James W Moody, Executive Director of the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission, was the guest speaker. The Clerk's
Office was originally built in 17 67 at Callands,
eleven miles west of Chatham. The restoration, under the direction of Chatham Garden
Club members, was begun in 1966. The
$10,000 cost was collected through voluntary
contributions of money, labor, and materials
by interested citizens. To ensure the future
care and maintenance of this building, five
trustees were appointed, two of whom will always be members of the Chatham Garden
Club. A Highway Historical Marker was
placed at the Clerk's Office by the Virginia
Historic Landmarks Commission.
Chatham celebrated its Bicentennial in
March 197 6. In honor of this occasion, a club
member, Mrs. Langhorne Jones, (Gertrude),
designed "handkerchief gardens" which were
planted extensively throughout the community. She created four different formal garden designs, each using only ten square feet.
She said this was the "minimum space with
maximum effect." The gardens were four
shapes: round, square, hexagonal, and a variation of a square. Each design featured walkin paths and a center space for a decorative
garden figurine, bird bath or sundial. In
March 1976, club members made table arrangements for the Bicentennial Ball at the
National Guard Armory.
Presidents of the Chatham Garden Club
during this decade were Mrs. Whitehead
Motley, Mrs. Vernon T. Lankford, Mrs. Joseph Motley Whitehead, Mrs. James David
Jones (Nellie G.), and Mrs.John W Motley.
1980-1990
The Chatham Garden Club, being a small
club in a small community, worked closely with
other town organizations to fix up, clean up,
106
1990-1995
The Chatham Garden Club continued to
be a good friend to the community through
the members' hard work and dedication to
making Chatham a beautiful town in which
to live.
The "Picnic-in-the-Park" continued to
grow in popularity. In 1990, a committee of
club members was formed to study and recommend beautification projects which could
be undertaken with the proceeds from this
event. Landscaping at the Chatham Knitting
Mills on Main Street was chosen to be the first
project.
In 1993, the club voted to present an
award in the novice class at The Garden Club
of Virginia Lily Show for the next five years
in honor of Mrs. Girard V. Thompson (Mary
Helen), a member who had been a Flower
Shows judge and a patient and knowledgeable
instructor of flower arranging for the younger
members of the club for many years.
Mrs. Whitehead Motley (Dorothy) supervised the special planting of the gardens at
Chatham Hall for the school's centennial celebration in April 1994.
Mrs. Andrew W. Todd and Mrs.
Theodore E. Bruning served as presidents of
The Chatham Garden Club in the early 1990s.
1980-1990
The Danville Garden Club, holding fast
to its enthusiasm for beautification, began the
1980s with a new project, a plant sale. The
financial success of the sale was important.
The sale was held in a large warehouse because of the number of items to be sold: trees,
ferns, house plants, shrubbery, pots, and decorative items for house and yard.
Successful fund raising and careful preparations culminated in a lovely Annual Meeting of The Garden Club of Virginia in 1984.
A gala picnic, planned for the first evening to
be held outdoors at the Dan River Lodge, was
made festive by tablecloths of Dan River fab-
1990-1995
Seasons change, time moves on, and the
1990s arrived. The Garden Club of Danville
remained devoted to the Grove Street Cemetery and Memorial Mansion projects. For a
108
1980-1990
During the 1980s the members ofDMGC
were encouraged to put their forces behind
conservation and recycling projects. A Natural History Day Camp was added to the club's
project list. The camp for boys and girls, ages
10-14, was well received by the area. Held at
Montpelier for the last several years, it won
for itself a place in the history of The GCV:
Mrs. Theodore G. Scott,Jr. (Carolyn) was the
109
Three landscaping projects were completed during the 1970s. Carefully selected
specimens were placed at the Eastville Courthouse. In 1977 a flower garden was planted
at the Hermitage, a retirement home in
Onancock for the pleasure of the residents,
and a federally-funded landscape project at
South Accomack Elementary School was designed and supervised by members of the Garden Club of the Eastern Shore.
In 1979 Mrs. Guy L. Webster 0ane) donated $1,000 for the club to begin the Angel
Account, a special fund available only for designated club projects.
Presidents of the club during the 1970s
were Mrs. I. William Bagwell III, Mrs. John
E. Tankard, Mrs. Harry S. Holcomb III, Mrs.
Benjamin W. Mears, Jr., Mrs. N . Wescott
Jacob, and Mrs.John E. Tankard, Jr.
GARDEN CLUB OF .
THE EASTERN SHORE
1970-1980
Noteworthy events in the 1970s included
the special tribute paid to Mrs . Charles
Pennebaker (Kay) by The Garden Club of
Vrrginia. A Garden Club of the Eastern Shore
member and local artist, Mrs. Pennebaker
contributed her pen-and-ink sketches for use
in the official Historic Garden Week Guidebook from 1972 until 1992. The club was also
indeed proud of its dedicated and outstanding member, Mrs. Lucius J. Kellam, Jr. (Dot),
who served as President of The Garden Club
of Virginia from 1968-1970. Mrs. E. Polk
Kellam (Amine) received the deLacy Gray
Medal for Conservation in 1973 for spearheading the drive to remove abandoned vehicles from the Eastern Shore.
The Garden Club of the Eastern Shore
sponsored The GCV Board of Governors'
Meeting in 197 5. Mrs. Chester B. deGavre
(Tita) designed a logo to be used in the needlepoint rug at the Kent-Valentine House. Mrs.
Richard F. Hall, Jr. (Pete) completed the
needlework.
Interesting club trips during the 1970s
included two to the Kent-Valentine House,
one to Virginia Beach for Princess Anne Garden Club's Historic Garden Week Tour, and
one to Norfolk for the special display of
"Flowers in Art" at the Chrysler Museum.
Flower shows were held each year, alternating annually between intramural shows and
ones open to outside entries. A plant sale usually accompanied each show. The GCV Horticulture Awards of Merit were received by
Mrs. Henry]. Richardson (Fredonia), Mrs.
Harold L. Turner (Stevie), Mrs. Chester B.
deGavre, Miss Vena Walker, and Mrs. George
F. Parsons (Charlye).
1980-1990
Historic Garden Week in 1980 included
a walking tour of Accomac, and Garden Week
in 1982 was highlighted by a walking tour of
Eastville, both county seats amd sites of
charming historic houses and professional offices.
Mrs. Giles C. Upshur Ganie) won a Horticulture Award of Merit in 1980.
Kerr Place, home of the Eastern Shore
Historical Society, was chosen by The Garden Club of Virginia as its restoration project
in 1981. This 18th-century mansion and
grounds in Onancock attracted many visitors
over the course of the year, as well as during
Historic Garden Week.
In 1981 the Garden Club of the Eastern
Shore sponsored its own Nature Camp.
Called Camp Osprey, it was held for the next
three years at Brownsville, Eastern Shore
home of The Nature Conservancy. Camp
Osprey served as a prototype for nature camps
later established by other member clubs of
TheGCV.
The Garden Club of Virginia awarded
Honorary Memberships to Mrs. Charles D.
Pennebaker and to Mr. Robert H. Talley Jr.,
an honorary member of the Garden Club of
the Eastern Shore. Mr. Talley bequeathed his
110
Mesdames I. William Bagwell III, Boxley T. Tankard, N Westcott Jacob, Frank M . McCraw, Jr.
and Collins Snyder with GCV Presidmt Mrs.
Hmley L. Guild.
gan a competition in area schools as a means
to broaden the pool oflocal students for Nature Camp; care for The Hermitage Garden
and Kerr Place; support The GCV Flower
Shows with award-winning arrangements and
horticulture; serve on numerous committes in
The GCV and as show judges; donate garden
books to the county library as memorials to
members who have died. For its 50th anniversary the club shifted emphasis from new
plantings to maintaining and restoring landscape projects undertaken at an earlier time.
Club presidents during the early 1990s
were Mrs. N. Wescott Jacob, Mrs. David B.
Tankard, and Mrs. Edward A. Ames III.
1980-1990
The Elizabeth River Garden Club hit the
1980s running! Plans were drawn and arguments marshalled to tum the 1846 Historic
Courthouse into a Fine Arts Center. With
that accomplished, the club's appeal to The
Garden Club of Virginia resulted in the designation in 1980 of the Courthouse grounds
as a restoration project.
The club sponsored The Garden Club.of
Virginia Daffodil Show in 1982. Members
won numerous ribbons including the Tri-color
Award. The club was indeed proud when Mrs.
Edward A. Barham, Jr. (Susan) was elected a
1990-1995
The nineties were busy times for the club
membership. Mrs. Bray served as a Directorat-Large (1990-1993) and Mrs. Barham as
Recording Secretary (1990-1992) ofThe Garden Club of Virginia. Time, energy, money,
laughs, and a few tears were expended toward
having the Annual Meeting of The Garden
Club of Virginia in 1993. The enthusiasm of
the club members, coupled with rave responses
113
1980-1990
Under the able guidance of Mrs .
Patteson-Knight, The Garden Club of Fairfax
sponsored The GCV Annual Meeting in 1980.
What an interesting time was had going to
the National Arboretum. One of the buses
got lost on the way! This made for much revelry and fun. Did we know our way around
our nation's capital?
The next year it was recommended by
Mrs.Paul Peter (Snip) that the Northern Virginia Training Center for the Mentally Retarded be the club's community project. The
club took on this endeavor with gusto and
proudly won the Common Wealth Award in
1984 for landscaping the center.
Mrs. Stull won the Edith Farr Elliott Perpetual Trophy in 1981, and Mrs. Scott won
the Jacqueline Byrd Shank Memorial Trophy
for the best miniature bloom in The GCV
Daffodil Show in 1984. Mrs. George A.
1990-1995
The Garden Club of Fairfax accepted
the challenge of The GCV Lily Shows for
1991 and 1992. Both shows, co-chaired by
Mrs. Whipple and Mrs. Stull, were most
successful, and both new and old members
were enlightened in the intricacies of
putting on a state show. Imagine the delight
when Mrs. Douglas S. Mackall Ill
(Bettijane), a novice lily grower, won "Best
Stem in Show" for her Copper King Lily.
The club was proud when Mrs. Whipple
was elected Treasurer of The Garden Club
ofVirginia 1990-1994.
A cottage garden was dedicated by members one rainy morning in September 1993 at
115
grass music, a picnic supper, and artistic competition of flower baskets for the tables. In
August, we received a gift from Senator John
Warner of the contiguous twelve acres ofland.
It will be used as a small wetland area providing public access to Goose Creek.
Club presidents in the early 1990s were
Mrs. James M. Rowley, Mrs. William N.
Wilbur, and Mrs. Richard K. Irish.
THE FRANKLIN GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
The seventies were exciting years for The
Franklin Garden Club. The GCV Board of
Governors' Meeting was held in Franklin for
the first time in 1971. It was at this Meeting
that the Board voted to purchase the KentValentine House. The club has enjoyed many
meetings there as well as various GCV committee meetings.
The Franklin Garden Club membership
is composed of Courtland, Franklin, and
Southampton County residents. The three
communities are connected by ten miles of
Route 58. This stretch of divided highway
has been the club's nemesis. Time and again,
this strip and entrances to the communities
have been planted with crape myrtle, dogwood, flowering pear, and bulbs. Because of
droughts and careless highway maintenance,
the survival rate has been poor. Consequently,
planting has been an ongoing chore. Plantings
at the library, schools, armory, and hospital
have fared considerably better.
Finding a few members were "gathering
a litte moss," the club decided it was time for
rejuvenation. After much consideration, the
club sponsored The Franklin Junior Garden
Club, a group that soon grew to fifteen energetic and enthusiastic young women. They
stimulated the community's interest in establishing a Farmers Market. In time this became a reality. Members assisted the senior
club in Historic Garden Week preparations
and became super "go-fers," as they learned
The GCV ropes.
Historic Garden Week was quite success-
1980-1990
1980 found the members planning an auc119
1990-1995
The 90s proved to be "Golden Years" for
The Franklin Garden Club. How excited were
the members to be preparing for The GCV
1991 Board of Governors' Meeting.
120
Mrs. Frank G. Turner, Mrs. Hosea E. Wilson, Jr., Mrs. James F. Ingram, Mrs. Landon
R. Wyatt, Jr., Mrs. Newton H. Ray, and Mrs.
Henry L. Roediger, Jr.
1970-1980
1980-1990
122
In March 1990, the club amended its constitution and bylaws to incorporate the auxiliary into active membership.
The landscaping of the Virginia Museum
ofNatural History was planned by a landscape
architect, and the planting was completed in
1991. The club also contributed to the landscaping of the Adult Day Care Center. Another project was bringing arrangements in
non-returnable containers to be distributed at
the nursing homes and the Adult Day Care
Center.
The club celebrated its 45th Anniversary
with a beautifully appointed tea in May 1991.
The six active charter members and the sustaining charter members were honored.
The club had wonderful programs at its
meetings. Members took a field trip to Andre
Viette Nursery near Waynesboro in May 1991
and to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in
Richmond for the "Fine Arts and Flowers"
exhibit in October 1993.
The Garden Study Club sponsored The
GCV Board of Governors' Meeting in October 1994. The Ways and Means Committee
planned various things to finance the meeting. One was a beautiful Christmas tour of
homes, with a candlelight tea, and a sale of
greens and Christmas decorations in December 1990. In 1991, 1992, and 1993, the committee conducted successful raffles. The first
prize was decoration of a home for Christmas
by members of the club. Second prize was a
door wreath, and third prize was a kissing ball
or dining room table arrangement.
The club planted annuals in barrels in
uptown Martinsville in May 1995.
Club presidents during the early 1990s
were Mrs. Nelson Frank Smith, Mrs. Carter
B. Smith, and Mrs. G. Ronald Pigg.
1980-1990
The club started the decade with a garden party to honor the people who had opened
their homes and gardens for Historic Garden
Week during the past ten years. Members also
participated in the Bicentennial celebration.
During the 1980s, the club continued its
fall plant sale, its Christmas decorations at
Sanders Nursing Home, the annual Daffodil
Show, and participation in Historic Garden
Week.
Members voted to support the preservation of Rosewell and sent money realized from
the plant sale. The club joined a joint community effort to establish a permanent recycling station in Gloucester and to support and
participate in an ecology trail at Gloucester
High School.
The Garden Club of Gloucester became
a corporation and was granted tax-exempt status. Planting was done at the library, the nursing home, on the hill at Long Bridge Ordinary, and in the middle of Route 14.
The club was nominated for the Common
Wealth Award and was honored to be one of
the finalists.
In 1982, the daffodil show was dedicated
to John Tradescant. Mrs. James Bland Martin, (Teen), the only American Trustee of the
Tradescant Trust, was hostess to the Worshipful Company of Gardeners of London. The
Company had a tree-planting ceremony at the
historic Courthouse Circle in memory of the
Tradescants. Mrs. Martin entertained the visiting members in her home and introduced
them at the official opening of the daffodil
show.
a matter of minutes. Streets were flooded, rescue vehicles and tow trucks were everywhere,
and the police were demanding evacuation of
the area. Our tour was a total loss.
Through it all, our indomitable chairman,
Mrs. G. Royden Goodson, Jr. (Patty), did not
lose her head or her cheerful spirit. She even
drove all over the Peninsula delivering chicken
salad to help the women who had been cooking for days, and we were left with 300 unsold
lunches. That was an affair to remember, but
"C'est la vie!"
Mrs. Willits H. Bowditch (Marian) wrote
this poem after the disastrous storm.
ter.
There was wringing of hand, and an occasional tear;
No money for Garden Week, at all this
year.
1980-1990
In 1981, the Hampton Roads Garden
Club had the privilege of sponsoring the Annual Meeting of The Garden Club ofVrrginia.
As the Peninsula Arts Association grew
and established itself in a building on the
Mariner's Museum property, the Hampton
Roads Garden Club began to consider moving its community garden to the grounds of
the Art Center. On April 6, 1982, the move
had been completed. To commemorate the
club's 50th anniversary, the garden was dedicated to its illustrious member, Mrs. Edward
L. Alexander (Margaret). The garden gave
pleasure to many visitors as a restful place to
pause and to enjoy the garden statuary and
plants under the towering oaks that shade the
area. The deck was used for picnics and even
a wedding. The club continued to work
closely with the Peninsula Arts Center to further its goal of civic beautification.
From the early 1980s, the club concentrated quite heavily on matters of conservation. Mrs. Edgar B. Wertheimer Jr. (Alice)
served as conservation chairman. She raised
care of the grounds. This project was maintained until the house became the property of
the city.
Mrs. Edwin B. Vaden (Bunny) served as
Chairman of The Garden Club of Virginia's
Finance Committee from 1970 until 1972, as
The GCV Corresponding Secretary from
1972 to 1974, and as a Director-at-Large from
1975 to 1978.
Civic beautification was the main thrust
of the club's labors over the years. Funds were
raised from club projects to plant a garden at
the Virginia Baptist Hospital, to give a stone
bird bath to Nature Camp at Vesuvius, to make
a donation to the Keep Lynchburg Beautiful
Commission for the landscaping of the Robert D. Morrison Interchange at Rivermont
Bridge, and to landscape the traffic island at
the intersection of Langhorne Road and Memorial Avenue. Plant sales made it possible
to contribute to the Kent-Valentine House.
Miss Emmy Lou Thomson worked the
needlepoint square, designed by Anne
Buchanan Percy, for the rug in the Kent-Valentine House representing the member clubs
in The Garden Club of Virginia.
The Garden Club of Virginia voted in
1977 to restore the gardens of Point of Honor,
the 1816 Federal mansion considered the finest example of its type in the city. The first
phase of this restoration was completed in May
1978 when HGC was hostess for the 58th
Annual Meeting of The Garden Club of Virginia. Mrs. Lea Booth (Mary Morris) was
elected a Director-at-Large of The GCV
(1979-1982).
Presidents of the Hillside Garden Club
during the 1970s were Mrs. C. Lynch Christian, Mrs. Gordon P. Howell, Mrs. William
McK. Massie, Mrs. Lea Booth, and Mrs. Edward C. Suhling.
1980-1990
During the 1980s, the Hillside Garden
Club accomplished some of its most important endeavors. The Lynchburg Garden Club
and HGC assumed the responsibility of helping the city maintain the grounds at Point of
Honor. Later that year, the club began a gar130
1990-1995
HGC members maintained an active interest in the Anne Spencer Garden until 1993.
After ten years of dedicated service to the Anne
Spencer Board, the club decided to relinquish
the responsibility of overseeing the care and
131
ronmentalists.
The historic home of Mr. and Mrs. Beede
was made even more historic when they sponsored a gala 40th Birthday Party for Hunting
Creek Garden Club.
Mrs.John D. Schmidtlein (Ann) assumed
the presidency of the club 1983-1985. Under
the guidance of The GCV, members became
even more cognizant of the threats to the environment. They worked for billboard legislation, fought for Sen. Marye's Bottle Bill, did
battle with the gypsy moth, and supported the
clean-up of the Chesapeake Bay - heavy duty
stuff. The club was tremendously gratified by
the success of its project at Goodwin House
Retirement Home which enabled the elderly
residents there to grow and show their own
daffodils at the club's annual daffodil show.
The show, held since 1951, was now co-sponsored by The Garden Club of Alexandria.
Mrs.Joel Crenshaw (Pat) was The GCV Daffodil Test Chairman (1982-1991) and received
The GCV Horticulture Award of Merit. Mrs.
Lindsay was GCV Lily Test Chairman (19801984).
Mrs. Peter T. Straub (Wendy) served as
club president when HCGC sponsored The
GCV Lily Show in 1985 and 1986. Both were
smashing successes under the capable guidance of Mrs. Guild and Mrs. Jam es D. C.
Gouldin (Jane).
Mrs. E. Edmonds Gray (Ellen), who
served as club president from 1987 to 1989,
remarked that "Hunting Creek has plenty of
talent to spread around." Mrs. Guild was
elected First Vice President of The Garden
Club of Virginia 1988-1990 and Mrs. Mann,
mainstay of The HCGC since the early 1940s,
was the recipient of the Massie Medal in 1988
for "heart and mind and talents ... in service
to The Garden Club of Virginia." Mrs.
Clayton Tasker (Elizabeth) received The GCV
Horticulture Award of Merit.
As the decade drew to a close, Mrs.James
P. Cox, Jr. (Helen) was elected club president
(1989-1991).
Club presidents were Mrs. A. Slater
Lamond, Mrs. Henley L. Guild, Mrs. John
D. Schmidtlein, Mrs. Peter Straub, Mrs. Elias
Edmonds Gray, and Mrs.James P. Cox, Jr.
1980-1990
Mrs. Lamond passed the gavel in 1981
into the deft hands of Mrs. Guild, who was
elected a Director-at-Large of The GCV
(1980-1983).
The landscaping project at the Bellefonte
Gardens Home for Mentally Handicapped
Adults was a finalist for the Common Wealth
Award. Though HCGC did not win, the club
redoubled its efforts at fund raising at its
Christmas Greens Workshop and was able to
complete the project. Mrs. Julian T. Burke,
Jr. (Betty) educated members monthly on the
gypsy moth. We scraped off egg masses,
wrapped burlap around trees, set out traps, and
agonized over the increasing threat to trees.
Many happy campers were sent off to Nature
Camp to become a new generation of envi133
1990-1995
blue skies. John Trott, naturalist, was an outstanding speaker with his slides of wildlife in
Virginia. The tour of historic homes and gardens with a stop at the Apothecary Shop Museum, HCGC's current project, was well received. The "tented" banquet in the garden
of the Carlyle House, The GCV restoration,
saw ladies piped into dinner by a handsomely
kilted Scotsman.
Somewhat wearily, members held the
Annual Christmas Greens Workshop just two
months after The GCV Board of Governors'
Meeting.
Club presidents were Mrs.Jam es P. Cox,
Jr., Mrs. Timothy L. Bryan, and Mrs. Arthur
Sibold,Jr.
began in early 1991, and the exhibit was almost instantly filled with a myriad of wildlife:
birds, squirrels, butterflies, even bats, and
thousands of two-legged critters as well. On
Earth Day 1993, club president, Mrs. Donald
N. Patten (Marty), joined Virginia Secretary
of Education, James W. Dyke, and the VLM
Projects Chairman, Mrs. Holt, in pouring ceremonial seed into the squirrel feeder to mark
the exhibit's official opening. Thanks to The
GCV Common Wealth Award, old and young
Virginians are learning that, even though
widespread habitat destruction continues to
pose a threat to wildlife, people can help by
preserving nature in their own backyards.
The club's commitment to the Virginia
Living Museum came to an end in 1994.
During the five year period $25,000, a Common Wealth Award, and hundreds of volunteer hours were donated to the Museum.
No laurel-resting for The Huntington
Garden Club, however. In 1993 members
were looking beyond the VLM and were
pleased to be able to provide assistance with
two "one-time" community projects. One was
to provide basic no-maintenance landscaping
at a shelter for battered women. The second
was to help with the restoration of "Little
England" Chapel. This small church, used a
century ago by Hampton University (then
Institute) students who rowed across the creek
to attend services, had fallen into serious disrepair. The club's contribution for landscaping matched a grant requirement and so did
double duty.
The club's new exciting project, that is,
the type which involves planning and (volunteer) planting as well as money, was finished
in 199 5. Club president, Ms.Janie Hargette,
oversaw completion of the Virginiana Garden
at the newest City of Newport News Library.
This fine new library contains the city's
priceless Virginiana Collection of books and
other written materials, part of which was
donated many years ago by the mother of one
of the club's former presidents. The walled
garden will be the library's entrance and will
be planted with specimens which have Virginia
in the species names: Magnolia virginiana, Itea
virginica, Rosa virginiana, Veronicastrum
1990-1995
The Huntington Garden Club sponsored
The Garden Club of Virginia Annual Meeting in May 1990. Mrs. Burgdorf arranged the
Meeting, which won raves from its participants
and returned $2 ,000 to the club's civic projects
account.
Mrs. Kendall] ones (Nancy) became president of the club in 1990 and so presided over
the beginning of what would be a significant
period in the life of The Huntington Garden
Club.
Plantings continued at the Virginia Living Museum, which became the largest botanical display of native plants in Virginia. The
Memorial Butterfly Garden was made a special project account to ensure tax-deductibility of contributions, and a permanent "Bookof-Commemoration" to record the names of
all persons honored was begun. The Museum
had 200,000 visitors a year, including 85,000
school children in its elementary education
program.
The staff had long wanted to establish a
Backyard Wildlife Habitat to provide a "howto" feature for its horticultural exhibits. The
club's funds could not be stretched to provide
this exciting facility, but in 1991 the Backyard
Wildlife Habitat was the proud recipient of
the Common Wealth Award. Construction
136
virginicurn, and many more. (It cannot be limited to these species as we must include our
state tree, Camus florida).
In 1995 The Huntington Garden Club,
alive and vigorous, continued and expanded
its long record of not only personal gardening and flower arranging but also community
beautification and education as well.
Club presidents were Mrs. Kendall C.
Jones (Nancy), Mrs. Donald N. Patten
(Marty), and Ms.Janie C. Hargette.
THE JAMES RIVER GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
Early in the 1970s, The James River Garden Club minutes noted that "more members
dig their own gardens now than ever before."
Conservation has always been a prime
interest of The James River Garden Club.
Mrs. William T Reed,Jr. (Mary Ross) received
the deLacy Gray Medal in 1972 for her many
achievements in the field of conservation.
Mrs. Robert Miller Jeffress (Elizabeth) was
awarded the Massie Medal in 1973 for restoration work at the University of Virginia.
In the spring of 197 5, the provisional
members staged a meeting and workshop featuring Mrs. Philip M. Minor's (Lucy Payne)
talk on flower arranging, a topiary demonstration, and lunch at Wmdsor in Richmond. The
day was such a success that The Garden Club
ofVirginia labeled it "a memorable experience
that set the standard for all garden clubs and
their meetings."
Members participated in flower shows
with gratifying results. A case in point: the
report stating a "most unexpected blue ribbon for the on-the-spot arrangement at the
GCA Zone VII Meeting was won by Mrs.
Spotswood B. Hall, Jr. (Katie) and Mrs. E.
Massie Valentine,Jr. (Ella Gordon), with flowers consigned to the trash basket, retrieved,
and arranged by talented and apparently desperate members."
Restoration and beautification projects
were financed by the traditional Christmas
Green Sale. Requiring hard work, ingenuity,
1980-1990
In 1981, The Jam es River Garden Club
made a radical change in money-raising techniques. It abandoned the long-standing and
reliable Christmas Green Sale and published
"A Taste ofVirginia." This 32-page cookbook,
featuring 18 color photographs of famous Virginia Houses with accompanying recipes, was
conceived, edited and expedited by Mrs.
FitzGerald Bemiss (Margaret) and Miss Mary
Tennant Bryan (Polly; Mrs. Chiswell D. L.
Perkins, Jr.). Hours of cooking and tasting,
miles of driving and selling by a dedicated
committee, and months of careful money
management by Mrs. Andrew H. Christian
(Ginna) produced net profits of $4 7,000 in the
first two printings. The principal was invested,
and the interest used for projects and conser137
ardship, has served as a catalyst for environmental action in Virginia and, indeed, across
the nation.
In a joint effort with the Tuckahoe Garden Club of Westhampton, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, and The Jam es River Garden
Club, a permanent composting demonstration
site was established near the Children's Garden at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.
A generous member gave the club membership copies of "Fifty Simple Things You
Can Do to Save the Earth." Points from this
booklet were discussed at subsequent meetmgs.
The JRGC joined the other three clubs
in The GCV in Richmond in a joint two-year
pledge, which was matched by the Henry
Flagler Foundation, for an annual perennial
symposium at the Lewis Ginter Botanical
Garden. Club members assisted at the
Maymont Flower and Garden Show.
Mrs.Jonathan Bryan III (Elise) won The
GCV Horticulture Award of Merit in 1990,
and Mrs. Alexander Hamilton IV (Betsy) won
the award in 1991.
The club continued to work with the
Richmond Department of Recreation and
Parks to improve city parks and protect open
spaces. Two bus trips with city officials as
guides have shown what a challenge this
project was. Monroe Park, on the list since
the early 1950s, remained the club's main
beautification in the 1990s. Members worked
with the city and with VCU to upgrade this
special park. Mrs. J. Mark Wittkofski (Sally),
a landscape architect, drew up a detailed plan
to guide the efforts.
In keeping with the custom of updating
projects, the club allotted $2,000 for the revitalization of the dogwood trees at the Carillon which it planted 55 years ago.
The members took a James River Rafting Trip twice, accompanied by a guide to
point out the sights and save skins. A wonderfully rewarding meeting was held at
Riverfront Plaza. The program was a tour of
Richmond's downtown and neighborhood areas with speakers from Central Richmond
Association and Richmond Riverfront Development. Members have broadened their ho-
1990-1995
On March 15, 1990, The Jam es River
Garden Club reached the age of 75 years. The
birthday was celebrated with a gala cocktail
buffet at the home of longtime hostess Mrs.
James W Rawles (Gina). It was catered and
paid for by generous and gifted members.
High spirits were inspired by guests arriving
in a startling assortment of hats and outfits
from the attics of mothers and grandmothers.
A skit was presented with historical anecdotes
from two world wars pointing out the changes
in gardening methods and projects: do-ityourself composting and weeding, victory gardening, and beautifying 15 filling stations (in
1932).
Outstanding in the club's conservation
efforts was the program initiated by Mrs. H.
Hudnall Ware III (Betty Byrne). Her career
in Richmond recycling started in 1990 when,
at her request, the club gave a matching grant
to the city of Richmond to start a pilot program of recycling in two neighborhoods. The
program was so successful that by 1992 curbside recycling expanded to 56,000 homes in
the city. Again, energized by Mrs. Ware, The
JRGC financed the publication of 3,000 copies of a Business Recycling Guide distributed
throughout the city. For her contribution,
Mrs. Ware was asked to serve on the GCA
National and Legislative Affairs Committee
and in 1991 received the Virginia Governor's
Award for Conservation. She was the only
individual cited; the others were corporations.
Mrs. Robert Carter (Bessie), the selfstyled "trash queen,'' received The GCV
deLacy Gray Medal in 1991 as a tireless visionary who, with endless energy and stew139
1980-1990
Leesburg Garden Club sponsored The
Garden Club of Virginia's 38th Annual Lily
Show held at the Simpson Middle School in
June, 1980. It was gratifying to see the results
of months of effort. Mrs. Robert S. Pickens
(Vinton) won The Garden Club of Virginia
140
1990-1995
The Little Garden Club of Wmchester
turned 60 in the 1990s. The membership included one active charter member and four
honorary charter members. Two presidents
were daughters of past presidents. Many of
the traditions and objectives which began with
the club in 1934 continued as the members
attempted to accommodate the changing
times.
The membership remained diverse. They
were of different ages, had different talents and
interests, and had different amounts of time
to give. Some had full-time jobs, and some
were retired.
Members continued many activities, instituted new ones, and eliminated some. The
Little Garden Club of Winchester and the
Winchester-Clarke Garden continued to cosponsor the tours during Historic Garden
Week. The club also co-sponsored an annual
flower-arranging demonstration and annual
flower show with the Winchester Council of
Garden Clubs. The members continued to
assist in decorating the historic Abram's Delight, Belle Grove Plantation, and Long
Branch at Christmas. The Annual Christmas
Auction continued to raise money to send two
children to Nature Camp and to finance the
club's ongoing civic project at Stonewall
Jackson's Headquarters.
New endeavors in 1990 included a
monthly newsletter so members could be better informed. Individual members continued
143
GCV President Mrs. Henley L. Guild with Mrs. George A . Hurt, Mrs. Parham R. Fox, and Mrs.
Clunet H. Pettyjohn, Jr., October 1990.
Garden Week.
Always interested in city beautification,
the club landscaped the entrance to the new
hospital, contributed to the landscaping of the
Henry County Courthouse, and planted
Bradford pear trees and white pines at the
entrance to a new residential area.
When the Kent-Valentine House became
The Garden Club of Virginia Headquarters,
one of our members donated a 200-year-old
dining room table. The logo square for the
needlepoint rug was done by Mrs. Bob P.
White (Charlene) from a daffodil drawing by
the late Buck Carter. Proceeds from a lecture
by Mrs. Ed Boehm on "Boehm Birds" were
contributed to the Kent-Valentine Endowment Fund of The GCV:
In 1979, the club began what was to become its most ambitious project: the landscaping of the grounds and parking lot of the Blue
Ridge Regional Library. This project was accomplished by a plant sale, memorial gifts
from individuals and organizations, and plants
from members' gardens. We were pleased to
have the members of our Auxiliary unite with
us to make one club.
Club presidents during the 1970s were
Mrs. James B. Montgomery, Mrs. Francis B.
Teague, Mrs. E. A. Sale, Mrs. Kathryn Clark
Bassett, Mrs. Bate C. Toms, Jr., Mrs. A. E.
Wilson, and Mrs.James B. Montgomery.
1980-1990
1970-1980
The Martinsville Garden Club had waited
62 years to have one of its members as President of The Garden Club of Virginia, so we
were very proud when Mrs. James B. Montgomery, First Vice President (1980-1982), was
elected The GCV President in May 1982.
We continued our participation in city
beautification by planting dogwood trees at
an elementary school and Constitution Oaks
at the local high school, contributing to
plantings in the gardens at Stoneleigh, and
landscaping an area around a "Welcome to
Virginia" sign at the North Carolina Border.
Our library project became even more
challenging in 1984 when the building was
enlarged. The committee members saved
1990-1995
The Martinsville Garden Club was
pleased to have its ongoing project of landscaping the grounds at the Blue Ridge Regional Library chosen as a finalist for the Common Wealth Award.
In continuing its support oflocal beautification of Martinsville, the club donated to
the landscaping of the Adult Day Care Center, the garden at the local SPCA, and the
grounds at Walker Fine Arts Center at Patrick
Henry Community College.
A committee from the local Chamber of
Commerce formed a group, known as Gateway Streetscape Foundation, Inc., to beautify
certain areas of our city and county. In support of this project, the club sponsored a "kickoff" fund raiser, a Western Barbeque, with the
148
Garden have gone to the Smithsonian Institution, and slides of the Phillips Garden are
scheduled to go.
Finding that the Roanoke Country Club
continued the use of styrofoam cups, the club
invited it to stop-and it did!
Lastly, in the interest of water conservation the following jingle surfaces:
"Th' agenda for today is water:
Not what we do, but what we oughta.
Turn off water, while you're brushing,
Then economize on flushing.
See that you take speedy showers,
Save the water for your flowers.
We have the best deal in the nation
And have for many a generation.
Can you think of anything
More magic than our Crystal Spring?
For more years than we can count
Not one soul knows the amount;
It's gurgled up just like a fountain
Beneath our own beloved Mill Mountain."
Club presidents during the early 1990s
were Mrs. E. Collins Brown, Mrs. Clifton A.
Woodrum III, and Mrs. W Ware Smith, Jr.
1990-1995
The decade of the 1990s has been a time
to crow about flower shows. First off, the club
began an annual "in club Daffodil Show" with
a cup for "Best in Show" to be rotated.
Spurred along by this, four members produced
different Tri-Color winners in The GCV
Daffodil Show for arrangement and one for
horticulture! Mrs. Thomas B. Mason (Emily
Ann) won the Jacqueline Byrd Memorial Trophy for the best miniature bloom in The GCV
Daffodil Show in 1990. Mrs. Frank T Ellett
(Lucy) served as Chairman of The GCV Conservation and Beautification Committee
(1990-1992).
Led by Bill Hundley of the Science Museum, nature walks to Falls Ridge, Roaring
Run, and Bottom Gorge have been informative and fun.
Slides of The Mill Mountain Wildflower
THE NANSEMOND
RIVER GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
In the 1970s, TheNansemondRiverGarden Club began landscaping Suffolk's parking
lots as a memorial to its members. The club
worked with city officials to help preserve invaluable old trees and sponsored a poster contest on pollution throughout the city schools.
One member donated 800 bulbs for the 1st
graders at John Randolph School to plant on
the school grounds.
The Nansemond River Garden Club also
began its long involvement with Riddick's
Folly and joined the community effort to re150
1970-1980
At the suggestion of the Norfolk Bicentennial Commission, a Garden Club of Norfolk member, Mrs. Thomas H. Willcox, Jr.
(Betty) designed a scarf incorporating a garden club and Bicentennial theme. The design, a flag of flowers executed in red, blue,
and white on green, was produced by Frankie
Welch. Profits exceeded $2,000 and supported
a project of foundation planning for the Arts
and Letters Building at Old Dominion University.
An herb and perennial garden, edged with
brick, was begun at the historic Willoughby
Baylor House. The club gave ten scholarships
to the Tidewater Rehabilitation Institute for
a therapeutic playground. Mrs. Mayor F.
Fogler (Ann) received the deLacy Gray Award
in 1974 for her conservation efforts. She was
described as a "dirt grubbing gardener." The
club began its year in 197 6 with a luncheon in
honor of Mrs. Toy D. Savage, Jr. (Hunter),
newly installed President ofThe Garden Club
of Virginia.
Mrs.John E. Clarkson (Kirk) spearheaded
1990-1995
Riddick's Folly became ever more beau152
This project was a finalist for The GCV Common Wealth Award.
The first annual Tidewater Horticultural
Symposium was co-sponsored with the Virginia Beach Garden Club in 1989. The focus
of this day was to educate the public on gardening in our unique climate.
Seven club members opened their gardens
for the benefit of a scholarship fund for the
Norfolk Botanical Gardens. This event is
called "Gardeners in Their Gardens" and is
held annually on Mothers' Day.
Members serving as club presidents during the 1980s were Mrs. Nathan H. Bundy,
Jr., Mrs. Willcox Ruffin, Jr., Mrs. Frank Nash
Bilisoly III, Mrs. Jerome E. Adamson, and
Mrs.John Twohy Iv.
1980-1990
During this period, the club was active in
multiple projects. Landscaping was completed
on a small children's garden at Children's
Hospital of The King's Daughters. Some of
the funds were raised by a gourmet dinner for
12, catered by club members. The club gave
$5,000 to the Bird and Wildlife preserve at
Weyanoke Sanctuary, a unique inner city oasis for the protection of living things. The
club restored the Hermitage Museum garden,
and members have maintained it. This project
was a GCV Common Wealth Award runnerup. The Chrysler Museum memorial garden
was restored by The GCN. Members were
asked to "green the garden," and there were
direct contributions of $10,000.
The GCV Rose Show was held at the
Norfolk Botanical Gardens in 1984.
In 1986, The Garden Club of Virginia
received the Garden Club of America Medal
for Historic Preservation which is awarded for
outstanding work in the field of preservation
and restoration of historic gardens or buildings of national importance. The Garden
Club of Norfolk proposed The GCV for this
award, and it was seconded by The Virginia
Beach Garden Club.
In 1988, the club undertook the project
of the greening of Olde Huntersville, an inner city neighborhood. This moderate- income section of the city had deteriorated since
it was built in the twenties. Through the efforts of a few club members, four vacant lots
were fenced and planted with donated plants.
1990-1995
The annual Christmas Greenery Sale was
an excellent moneymaker for the club. Since
1990, each member has been responsible for
one balsam or boxwood wreath. Bows, boxwood trees, roping, table arrangements made
by members, and fresh cut greens from members' gardens were sold with a profit of approximately $5,000. Many orders are placed
before the sale, and the remaining items are
offered to the public.
In 1992, a gala cocktail party was given
by the club in a member's home for members
and husbands as a fall kickoff. Charging
$25.00 a couple and donating the food, the
club cleared $1,400 and had a good time doing it.
Seven of our senior members were honored by the club president to commemorate
the 75th anniversary of The Garden Club of
Norfolk in 1992. Reaching a milestone of this
magnitude brings a time of reflection. One
founder, Elizabeth Grandy, had said at the
25th anniversary, "The advantage a corporate
body enjoys over a biological one, is that of
not deteriorating with age, for it is evident
vigor, vitality, and enjoyment of life seem as
firmly entrenched in the club as ever they
were." This certainly speaks for The GCN.
An open conservation meeting was sponsored by the club in 1993. Mr. Edward
153
In 1970, The Garden Club of the Northern Neck became the youngest member of
The Garden Club of Virginia, the 44th club
to be asked to join. It was a challenge for 40
ladies from four counties encompassing 75
miles of the Northern Neck. The club had
been established four years previously under
the able leadership of our first president, Mrs.
H. Marston Smith (Kitty; Mrs. Katherine
McL. Smith), and the second, Mrs. Albert P.
Zuger (Bertie).
The club was assisted and encouraged by
The Rappahannock Valley Garden Club, its
sponsor. Mrs. Lucius ] . Kellam (Dot), The
GCVPresident, and Mrs. RobertL. Hopkins,
Jr. (Lula), Admissions Chairman, gave the club
the needed assurance for success.
As a member club of The GCV, the club
immediately started planning for the 197 5 and
197 6 Daffodil Shows. Mrs. Robert Wheat III
(Margaret), a recognized GCV Daffodil expert, became an associate member of the club.
1980-1990
During this decade the club planted wildflowers on nature trails at Stratford Hall and
George Washington's Birthplace and sponsored a child to Nature Camp each year. The
club decided to give Beautification Awards to
local businesses and citizens every two years
in each county. The club sponsored Project
Wild with the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Local teachers were treated
to a stimulating day of studying conservation
with the hope that their enlightened attitude
would be carried into the classroom.
The club compiled a slide history of the
Northern Neck entitled "The Secret and the
Promise." Its initial showing was to The GCV
at the Tides Inn in Irvington, when the club
sponsored the Annual Meeting in 1983. To
154
raise money for this Meeting, Mrs.John Garland Pollard, Jr. and Mrs. Albert C. Pollard
(Mary Louisa) published The Northern Neck
Entertains, a hostess book, which had a brief
history of the Northern Neck and featured
houses opened for Historic Garden Week.
The GCNN and others still reminisce about
that Annual Meeting where the after-dinner
entertainer enjoyed far-too-much libation to
perform. The next morning Mrs. James
Carter filled in with a song and dance program about The GCNN because our speaker
had to cancel at the last minute.
In 1986, the club's Inter-Club artistic arrangement won the Tri-Blue. The practice
of appointing teams to do Inter-Club arrangements was initiated, and many clubs have followed this idea with success. During this period the club was awarded a cash prize as a
runner-up for a Common Wealth Award
project of landscaping around the Chinn
House on the campus of the Rappahannock
Community College in Warsaw.
Historic Garden Week in Irvington in
1989 was the largest in the club's history. An
informal orientation of new members was begun with the aid of a handbook compiled by
Mrs. W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr. (Helen) which
explained club traditions and practices.
During the 1980s Mrs. Murphy was The
GCV's Historian and Custodian of Records
(1982-1984), Parliamentarian and Editor of
the Register (1984-1986), Second Vice
Presicent (1986-1988), and Recording Secretary (1988-1990).
Club presidents during the 1980s were
Mrs. W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr., Mrs. Richard A.
Farmar, Jr., Mrs. Lloyd T. Griffith, Mrs.
Herbert W. Carden, and Mrs. James R.
Hundley.
1990-1995
This decade began with The GCV Rose
Show 1991-1992. Co-chairmen, Mrs. Lloyd
T. Griffith (Mary Chester) and Mrs. Herbert
W. Carden (Betty), did a superb job of directing the show at Rappahannock WestminsterCanterbury. A prize horticulture specimen of
Mrs. James R. Hundley (Charlotte) was
155
ervation and purchasing of Petersburg landmarks which were in danger of being destroyed. The club also assisted in the planting of trees on the median strips of new highways within the city.
Mrs. Robert W. Harwell (Doris) designed
a seal for the club which has been used on the
cover of the club's yearbooks. She also used
this design to make the needlepoint square for
the rug at the Kent-Valentine House.
In May 197 5, the club celebrated its 50th
anniversary. Mrs. John C. Anderson Gulia),
historian, read a paper on club activities, accounts of which were gleaned from interesting old scrapbooks. All enjoyed reminiscing
and found it a delightful and nostalgic event.
However, the members had no time to
rest on their laurels. In 1977, we sponsored
The GCV Board of Governors' Meeting, and
there was plenty of planning and work to be
done by all. This occasion was a great honor
for the club, and the meeting days were a
happy pleasure for all the members.
The decade ended with the joyous news
that Centre Hill Mansion had been chosen as
one of the two sites to be landscaped by The
Garden Club of Virginia. This fine Federal
mansion, built about 1820, is an important
landmark whose beauty was enhanced by the
new landscaping.
Club presidents during the 1970s were
Mrs. R. Bolling Cameron, Mrs. Robert
Zeugner, Mrs. Lewis M. Walker, Jr., Mrs.
Eugene R. Marable, Jr., and Mrs. Philip R.
Roper, Jr.
1990- 1995
The Petersburg Garden Club began this
decade by celebrating its 65 th anniversary with
a lovely Christmas tea held in the home of Mrs.
W Roy Smith (Virginia Lee). Many honorary members attended as well as some of the
local press who followed with an article about
the Petersburg Garden Club and a photograph
of some of our "more senior" members.
Mrs. Walter E. Morgan III (Dahne) has
been chairman of the Springtime fund raising
event for the past three years. "Splashes of
Spring" has been a huge success and is looked
forward to by both club members and friends
who have attended. The program which began with a speaker of state-wide renown was
followed by a fashion show with some of the
lovely members serving as models. Luncheon
concluded the event with all eagerly anticipating next year's "Splashes."
In 1991, the Herbarium Committee was
formed to look into the restoration and preservation of this treasure belonging to the club.
The collection originated in 1935 with club
member Mrs. Donald Claiborne Holden supervising the gathering of specimen plants
from the Lee Park area by WP.A. workers.
Bessie Niemeyer Marshall was then commissioned by The Petersburg Garden Club toillustrate the collection. The eleven volumes
included more than 200 specimens and corresponding watercolors. In 1948, the Petersburg Garden Club was awarded The GCV
Massie Medal for the creation and preservation of the Lee Park Herbarium. Mrs. R. F.
Burke Steele, Jr. (Betty) has worked tirelessly
as chairman of this committee to bring the
project to its present status. As the club anticipates its 70th anniversary, it is offering a
limited edition of 500 portfolio sets containing four watercolor prints of wildflowers from
the collection. It is hoped that with the proceeds from sales of these prints, steps to better preserve the collection can be taken. The
committee also hopes to promote the educational value of this collection with video and
slide lectures.
The club considers itself an important
part of this historical city and stands ready to
157
Members sponsored two flower-arranging symposia. The first one featured the English designer, Sheila Macqueen, and the second, Peggy Conway of Montgomery, Alabama.
For better education and enlightenment
of the membership, meetings were held in such
places as The Norfolk Botanical Garden, Virginia Institute of Marine Science in
Gloucester, The Marine Science Museum,
Rainbow Nursery in Pungo, and the Back Bay
Wildlife Refuge as well as in members' homes.
Members serving in positions in The
Garden Club of Virginia included Mrs. Russell
Davis, Chairman of the Horticulture Committee (1980-1982).
Club presidents during the 1980s were
Mrs. John Carroll Fears, Jr., Mrs. Robert K.
Molloy, Mrs. Julian H. Lipscomb, Mrs. John
A. Carlston, Mrs. Robert G. Jones, and Mrs.
Littleton W Parks.
1990-1995
In 1990, the club undertook a new project,
the deWitt Cottage owned by the City ofVirginia Beach and now designated as a Virginia
Historic Landmark. It had been the home of
a member, Miss Julia deWitt, and her sisters.
Remembering her lovely "garden by the sea,"
members wanted to be actively involved in the
development of the garden. The club received
the Common Wealth Award for this project
in 1993.
Historic Garden Week in 1990 was celebrated in conjunction with the city's
tricentennial celebration at the old Princess
Anne County Courthouse. For the last few
years, a flower arranging demonstration has
been included on the club's Historic Garden
Week tour and has been well received. The
PAGC also resumed its popular boat tour.
To offset the rental expense of the Virginia Beach Center for the Arts for the Rose
Show, members furnished arrangements for
the Center's special events.
1980-1990
Aware that young people were the future
decision makers, the club undertook a new
project, EYES (Educating Youth for Environmental Service). This project was created
and developed by Mrs. Miller with helpful suggestions and encouragement from The GCV
members, particularly, Mrs. Powell Harrison
(Leesburg Garden Club) and Mrs. Stuart Bell
(The Little Garden Club of Winchester). In
1981, Mrs. Miller received the deLacy Gray
Medal for her leadership in the promotion of
environmental education. Selected eighth and
ninth grade students were introduced to representatives of organizations involved with
environmental issues. The PAGC was given
the Common Wealth Award for this project
in 1981.
For several years an ecology camp in Seashore State Park was a joint effort of Princess
Anne and The Virginia Beach Garden Club.
The club furnished the funds for the publication of the Volunteers' Handbook and
Educational Films for the Marine Science
Museum.
cause,
sometimes with the help of our
spouses.
Club presidents during the early 1990s
were Mrs. Littleton W. Parks, Mrs. Robert}.
Parr, Mrs. John M. B. Baillio, and Mrs.
Murden Michelson.
THE RAPPAHANNOCK VALLEY
GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
The Rappahannock Valley Garden Club
began the decade by sponsoring The Garden
Club of Virginia Daffodil Show in 1970. The
beautiful show was held at Mary Washington
College.
Mrs. A. T. Embrey, Jr. (Martha) served as
The Garden Club ofVirginia Corresponding
Secretary (1970-1972) and Chairman of The
GCVJOURNAL Committee (1972-1974).
Years of planning and work were rewarded
when, in 1972, the club was awarded the
Massie Medal for designing and replanting the
garden at the Rising Sun Tavern, an historic
attraction owned by The Association for the
Preservation of Virginia Antiquities.
There is no doubt that Virginia looks like
paradise during Historic Garden Week. Efforts of The Rappahannock Valley Garden
Club, not just during Garden Week, but also
all year long, have been aimed at beautifying
its section of Virginia by participating in
projects that result in preservation, restoration, and beautification. Toward this end,
members planted trees on the grounds of the
Juvenile Detention Home and continued
planting dogwood trees along Washington
Avenue. In an effort to keep the Avenue beautiful, the club provided two benches and landscaping at the Monument for Religious Freedom.
The club sponsored a local flower show
as well as an art show, using the proceeds to
beautify Alum Springs Park and to plant a large
red dogwood tree on the campus of the newly
1980-1990
In conjunction with a riverfront development project and with the city's approval,
members undertook the tremendous job of
renovating and landscaping the grounds of the
Rappahannock Valley Regional Library. This
was a $55,000 project that entailed, among
other things, digging up asphalt parking lots,
placing all wiring underground, installing an
irrigation system and a fountain, and oversee160
ported it financially.
Members have continued to furnish decorated miniature Christmas trees to Mary
Washington Hospital patients during the holidays. They also participated in "Arts in
Bloom,'' a show which generated much local
interest in seeing flower arrangements interpreting Gari Melcher's paintings in the
Belmont Gallery. The club continues its
policy of keeping informed on state and government issues and of members writing letters of support or protest when they deem it
to be helpful.
Club presidents during the early 1990s
were Mrs . Donald J. Kendall, Mrs. H.
Harrison Braxton, Jr., and Mrs .]. Martin Bass.
RIVANNA GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
In a tax conscious decade, Rivanna Garden Club was proud when the Internal Revenue Service granted the club charitable status. The club celebrated its 50th anniversary
with a Sentimental] ourney in 1972 and sent a
gift to the Kent-Valentine House.
Club members serving with distinction on
The GCV Committees during this decade
were Miss Jean Printz, Director of Public Relations (1970-1972), Parliamentarian and Editor of the Register (1972-1974), The GCV
Treasurer (1974-1978), and First Vice President (1978-1980). Mrs. Charles K. Woltz
(Dawn) was The GCV Flowers Show Chairman (1973-1974), Horticulture Chairman
(1976-1978), and a Director-at-Large (19781981 ). Miss Elisabeth Aiken Nolting won the
deLacy Gray Medal in 197 6 for her dedicated
and effective work in preserving historic
Green Springs Valley from 20th-century encroachment.
After over 14 years as Rivanna 's Rose Test
chairmen, the marvelous team, Captain and
Mrs. Edgar M. Williams (Margaret), stepped
down and were honored with a "Williams
Day." They continued to participate, exhibit,
and win. In 1972 and 1973, they received the
President of Member Clubs Cup.
1980-1990
For Rivanna Garden Club 1980 was a special year. Jean Printz was elected President of
The Garden Club of Virginia (1980-1982),
and the club sponsored The GCV Annual
Meeting in 1985. Never too busy to assume
responsibility, Jean served later as Finance
Chairman of The GCV from 1984-1986 and
Chairman of the Nominating Committee
from 1986 to 1988. The club was indeed
proud when Dawn Woltz received the Massie
Medal in 1987 "for her gift of beauty and her
joy in the giving." Betty Strider served as
District II Chairman of Historic Garden Week
from 1983-1989.
The club helped to landscape a new Red
Cross Building, operated Rivanna's booth at
Barracks Road Bazaar and had plant sales to
finance gifts to the Nature Conservancy,
Blandy Farm, ARC (Albemarle, Rivanna,
Charlottesville) Camp, Ivy Creek, Chesapeake
Bay Foundation, Attention Homes, High Rise
162
community and The Garden Club of Virginia." As the club's perpetual finance chairman, she encouraged contributions to the
Kilham Garden (which the members had
planted at St. Anne's School in 1967) and to
the landscaping of the Ronald McDonald
House.
Life with Rivanna is never idle!
Club presidents during the early 1990s
were Mrs. Martin Ochs, Mrs.James B. Wood,
and Mrs. A Ward Sims.
ROANOKE VALLEY GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
During the 1970s, Roanoke Valley Garden Club began to feel the impact made by
one member, Mrs. Edmund T. Morris. Ruth
had arrived in Roanoke from Pennsylvania in
the late 60s. She was enthusiastic, talented,
and well-trained in the art of flower arranging. By 1970, she had established training
workshops for our members and led a large
coterie of participants to each of The GCV
Flower Shows. Nor did any flower show in
the Roanoke area escape her attention and
winning ways! After her untimely death in
1973, a core of those who had "sat at her feet"
continued to carry her banner forward. Without missing a beat, the workshops marched
on with monthly in-club shows. The arrangers walked off with 14 Tri-colors, out of the
30 GCV Flower Shows held during the decade. In 1978, the Flower Shows Chairman,
Mrs. Douglas H. Patteson-Knight (Francis)
paid a visit to Roanoke. At a party given in
her honor, refreshments were served in the
thirty-seven cups which had been won at The
GCV shows. Between workshops and Flower
Show road trips, the club sponsored The GCV
Rose Show in 197 6.
The GCV's "top blossom," Mrs.John D.
Varner (Betsy), was sorely missed at many of
the meetings for a couple of years while she
served her outstanding term as President of
The Garden Club of Virginia. It was appropriate in 197 5 for the area's Historic Garden
Week to be held in neighboring Botetourt
1990-1995
Having come a long way since its formation on November 16, 1922, the club started
the 1990s with a full complement of accomplished gentlewomen, 50 active, 20 associate,
and a few gentlemen among the honorary
members. The club assisted the Albemarle
Garden Club at The GCV Annual Meeting
in 1994 and remained committed to the challenges of Historic Garden Week each year and
to the task of sponsoring The GCV 1995 and
1996 Lily Shows. The club won the Past
Presidents of The Garden Club of Virginia
Trophy at The GCV Annual Lily Show in
1993.
Accolades were given once more to Jean
Printz, the 1991 winner of the Massie Medal
for "loving and distinguished service to the
163
won for the Tri-color. Not bad for a twentythree-year participation in The GCV Flower
Shows! But, nothing comes easy! As only
home-grown plant material is used in The
GCV Flower Shows, horticulture members
have supplied at least 30,000 stems, and flower
arrangers have traversed atleast 23,000 miles
to bring home this glory.
Club presidents during the early 1990s
were Mrs. Ward W. Stevens,]r., Mrs. Talfourd
H. Kemper, Mrs. Edwin R. Feinour, and Mrs.
W. Lee Wilhelm III.
1990-1995
Over the years, the Roanoke Valley Garden Club's affiliation with the Roanoke Council of Garden Clubs, composed of 25 garden
clubs and plant societies, strengthened. Working with other clubs became a large part of
the RVGC's activities. Slides of The GCV
restorations were shown at the Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs' Bicentennial Flower
Show, held in Roanoke.
The GCV clubs and the Federated clubs
merged their efforts to produce the Art in
Bloom flower show, held annually at the
Roanoke Museum of Fine Arts and similar in
concept to the Fine Arts and Flowers Show at
the Vlrginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond. Early on, the RVGC had advocated
with financial support the Council's purchase
of Fairacres, the handsome Tudor home of a
former member of the RVGC. This home
and grounds takes up almost a whole city block
in the South Roanoke area. Since its purchase
in 1965, it has been continually enhanced, both
inside and outside. The RVGC has gradually
begun to have most of its meetings there. Its
major fund raiser, Holiday House, has become
a city-wide event, with the two largest garden
clubs (The GCV ones) being active and enthusiastic participants. RVGC members have
served on its board with Mrs. Varner, who was
its chairman in 1991-1993. Hopes are high
that zoning restrictions can be countered to
allow the Center to be rented for social occasions, much like the Kent-Valentine House.
As the Roanoke Transportation Museum
is now the Transportation Museum of Virginia, projected plans entail enlargement of
its quarters, requiring the relocation and expansion of RVGC's plantings there. Since the
club has become very adept at moving whole
gardens, these news items have been received
somewhat nonchalantly by the membership.
Should the occasion demand, and it
might, that we have to move two more gardens, we could now have a large celebratory
function, serving refreshments in almost 100
of The GCV silver cups, 26 of which were
1980-1990
The club expanded its focus in this decade by adding the restoration project of the
Daniel Harrison House in Dayton. An historic preservation site which served as a sheltering fort during the French and Indian War,
the house was restored to the 1850s. When it
was renovated, the club hired Mr. William D.
Rieley, an historic landscape architect, to plan
the nineteenth-century plantings. As a result,
early variety apple trees, coral berry ground
cover, an herb garden and appropriate shrubs
and perennials were planted and maintained
by the club. In addition, a picket fence and
pilgrim's benches were donated.
The club, continuing its civic beautification, planted maples, pin oaks, and birch
throughout the city as well as trees and shrubs
in front of the library. At the hospital, the
club continued to decorate at Christmas time
and to plant window boxes in the spring.
Mrs. Robert W Preston (Mitzie) was
elected a Director-at-Large of The GCV
(1980-1983). The SGC won the Elizabeth
Gwathmey Jeffress Trophy in 1984 for Best
Inter-Club arrangement in The GCV Rose
Show. Mrs. J. David Diller (Genie) began
serving as The GCV Chairman of the Lily
Test Collections in 1988. Mrs. Walter M.
Zirkle, Jr. (Widgee) was District II Chairman
for Historic Garden Week.
Club presidents during the 1980s were
Mrs. Dan C. Stickley, Jr., Mrs. J. David Diller,
Mrs.John R. Eagle, Mrs. Daniel G. Witmer,
and Mrs. Lyle W Sweet.
1990-1995
The club joined forces with Greener
166
1980-1990
Under the leadership of the project chairman, Mrs. James Asa Shield, Jr. (Sandy), the
club members started the "Garden on the
Tracts" at the Science Museum of Virginia in
1981. Twenty-five members of the Boys Club
of Richmond learned to plant and tend an urban garden with the help of club members.
As a result, Mrs. Shield won the Distinguished
167
1980-1990
The Tuckahoe Garden Club of
Westhampton had three major undertakings
in the 1970s: the restoration of the garden at
the John Marshall House, the creation of a
reading garden and miniature park behind the
Richmond Public Library, and the restoration
of the Fountain Court at Maymont Park.
When the ladies of the Tuckahoe Garden
Club were not busy participating in the above,
they were conducting an annual flower arranging course to raise money and to educate members as well as many non-members in the art
of arranging. The members who conducted
these workshops did extremely well in imparting their wisdom and spawning a generation
who today are busy peddling their services at
weddings and gala events. Also, during this
time, the Provisional Program was enhanced
by the addition of many eager new members.
Another annual event started in the 1970s
and still going is the Annual Christmas Auction and Workshop. Over the years, this auction has provided a continuing source of income as well as Christmas cheer!
Obviously, these projects did not keep the
Tuckahoe Garden Club ladies, an indefatigable group, busy enough; therefore, in 1973,
a gardening guide was compiled and edited
by Mrs. St. Julian Oppenhimer (Emma) and
Mrs. Thomas R. Towers (Betty). In 1974, the
Tuckahoe Garden Club held the Board of
Governors' Meeting.
Several members deserve special recognition for their achievements during the 70s.
1970-1980
In 1970 the HANDS award was given to
The Virginia Beach Garden Club for its successful Anti-Litter Campaign spearheaded by
Jane Tucker (Mrs. Lawrence Tucker). The
members purchased and decorated 41 trash
cans which were placed in the shopping section of the resort area. The club also persuaded 13 6 children to clean the street and
169
1980-1990
In the early 80s The Virginia Beach Garden Club saved the 1732 Francis Land House
and 35 acres from development by persuading the City Council to purchase it. It is now
on the National Register of Historic Places
and listed as a Virginia Historic Landmark.
The Virginia Beach Historical Maritime
Museum, now called the Life-Saving Museum
of Virginia, opened its doors on 24th Street
in 1981. It was the first museum in the city
and was also placed on the National Register
and listed as a Virginia Historic Landmark.
Because Alice Walter had led the fight for its
preservation, she had received in 1980 the
Garden Club of America's Award for Historic
170
The Marsh Walk and Flower Garden at the Virginia Marine Science Museum.
Patterson (Mrs. Hugh L. Patterson) told the
club they would try to raise $50,000 to fund
the Marsh Walk at The Virginia Marine Science Museum. The Virginia Beach Garden
Club and The Junior Virginia Beach Garden
Club, which had helped over the years with
Historic Garden Week and other projects,
each contributed $12,500. At the suggestion
of Charlotte Dashiell, the club applied for and
was awarded a $25,000 matching grant from
The Virginia Environmental Endowment.
Handsome permanent legends were installed
along the Marsh Walk labeling flora and fauna
found nearby.
In 1987 the flower show committee
headed by Nancy Thornton (Mrs. Daniel M.
Thornton,Jr.) staged a flower show, "Enchantment of the Bay," which was open to the public and won the prestigious Garden Club of
America Small Flower Show Award. A Wildflower Symposium at the Virginia Marine Science Museum was opened in 1988 by Mrs.
171
In 1984, the club entered the Front RoyalWarren County Anti-Litter Awards Contest
and received an award of $125.00 for work
done at Bowman Park.
Club members were active in support of
the Warren Heritage Society, whose work was
the restoration of the Belle Boyd Cottage and
the maintenance of Ivy Lodge. Plans were
shared for the development of the landscaping of both, and Mrs. Zigler presented 150
boxwood as a memorial to her husband.
The more exciting highlights of 1986 included the award of the deLacy Gray Medal
for conservation to a well-deserving Mrs.
James W Denton (Molly), the presentation
of The Garden Club of Virginia restoration
of Belle Grove in Middletown, and the special honor of the club's receiving the Common Wealth Award at The GCV Board of
Governors' Meeting. This award funded the
landscaping of Belle Boyd Cottage on Chester
Street in Front Royal.
In March 1986, the club sponsored a wonderful trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show,
and in April 1987 members had a marvelous
tour of Historic Oatlands in Leesburg.
The club seemed to be always planting
trees! These are planted in memory of deceased members and for the Downtown Redevelopment Project and any other worthy
cause. White oak seedlings, donated by the
Virginia Department of Forestry to celebrate
the 200th anniversary of the Constitution of
the United States, were planted at various public locations and historic homes. The Warren
County plantings were under the direction of
The Garden Club of Warren County.
In the fall of 1988, members toured the
18th-century home, Glen Burnie, and its extensive gardens. Luncheon was served in the
Palladian Tea House.
Mrs. William C. Trenary III (Melba)
served as The Garden Club of Virginia Historian and Custodian of Records (1986-1988)
and was a Director-at-Large (1989-1991).
For Christmas 1988, The Garden Club
of Warren County decorated the parlour at
Belle Grove, a property of the National Trust
for Historic Preservation which was built in
the late 18th century. Belle Grove is always
1980-1990
The highlight of The Garden Club of
Warren County in the early 1980s was entertaining The Garden Club of Virginia Board
of Governors' Meeting in Front Royal in October 1981. Getting acquainted with the ladies of The GCV was a joy to each member,
and seeing The Club in action was most interesting and enlightening. Members wined
and dined their guests at a welcoming cocktail buffet at the Quality Inn and concluded
with a banquet at the Shenandoah Valley
Country Club. Mrs. Isaac M. Zigler (Pearl)
propagated African violets as a gift to each
member of the Board of Governors.
The club continued its efforts in maintaining Front Royal's Bowman Park which has,
among other plantings, 1248 assorted bulbs.
A large cash donation was made toward landscaping at the new Samuels Public Library,
and, in addition to this donation, the club
planted trees on the library grounds as memorials to former members.
At the 63rd Annual Meeting of The Garden Club of Virginia, Mrs. Zigler received the
Horticulture Award of Merit for the year
1982-1983. Mrs. Courtney Carbaugh (Virginia) was selected to serve as Chairman of
The GCV Massie Medal Committee for the
years 1982-1984.
174
1990-1995
Seventy years later, The Warrenton Garden Club was unable to rest on its laurels as a
founding member club. It remained one of
the smallest clubs in The GCV at a time when
the community was expanding rapidly. Along
with this growth, the club faced exponentially
enlarged challenges at a time when almost
50% of the active membership held jobs outside the home.
Mrs. James S. Lee (Alison) was awarded
the Sponsor's Cup at The GCV Lily Show in
1990.
The preservation of our natural resources
and rural countryside was a major concern of
The Warrenton Garden Club. To further
177
1980-1990
THE WILLIAMSBURG
GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
"That the Future May Learn from the
Past" was a fitting theme for The Garden
Club of Virginia Annual Rose Shows sponsored by The Williamsburg Garden Club in
1977 and 1978.
The club celebrated its 50th anniversary
in 1979. Three charter members, Mrs.
Ashton Dovell (Martha), Mrs. Archie Ryland
(Mary), and Mrs. J oho M. Stetson (Sally)
were honored guests at a champagne luncheon.
During the past ten years, The
Williamsburg Garden Club became increasingly active in local garden club projects. It
contributed 105 books on gardening and related subjects to the Williamsburg Regional
Library. The landscaping of one of the entrances to the city of Williamsburg was undertaken. The Garden Club Study Group's
optional meetings were well attended each
month. Lectures and work sessions were
held on horticulture, flower arranging,
herbs, edible wild plants, and point scoring.
During Historic Garden Week, garden
walking tours through the Historic Area with
club members as guides were very popular
and helped to increase ticket sales.
The headquarters of The Garden Club
of Virginia JOURNAL, with Mrs. Stetson as
its Editor and Mrs. Robert T. Vermillion
(Marguerite) as the Associate Editor, was in
Williamsburg.
Mrs. Thomas E. Thorne (Lelia) was
Chairman of the Restoration Committee of
The GCV (1970-1972). The sudden deaths
of Mrs. Thorne in 1972 and a few years later
of Dr. Thorne were a great loss. Their loyalty and many contributions to the club and
to The Garden Club of Virginia will always
be remembered.
Club presidents during the 1970s were
Mrs. Arthur D. Strong, Mrs. T. Robert Vermillion, Mrs. Gardiner T. Brooks, Jr., Mrs.
Arthur L. Smith, and Mrs. Thomas W.
Wood.
178
1990-1995
WINCHESTER-CLARKE
GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
The decade of the 1970s was a time of
peaks and valleys. A busy membership celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Wmchester-Clarke Garden Club in 1974 and continued the activities of those rewarding years.
These activities included educating the public and club members through lectures, flower
shows, and seminars, and contributing time
and money to civic projects and conservation
efforts.
In 1971, The Garden Club of Virginia
selected the Burwell-Morgan Mill in
Millwood for landscaping with Historic Garden Week funds. Following the completion
of the project, the club decided to use the Mill
for The GCV Annual Rose Show in 1974.
This was surely a wonderful place to exhibit!
A beautiful setting for the show, it, however,
was hot and had no air conditioning. Mrs.
David Simpson Gudy; Mrs.John F. Anderson)
and Mrs. C. Ridgely White (Eleanor), cochairmen of the show, and their committees
were relieved when, fortunately for the roses,
the old stone building turned into a refrigerator at night. A potential valley became a peak.
Some things fall between the peaks and
the valleys. The younger members proposed,
and followed through with, the formation of
a Junior Garden Club comprised of the next
generation. They learned about horticulture,
flower arranging, and conservation. But as
young girls go, the junior members grew older
and their interests turned to boys, proms, and
the myriad activities of teenagers. With no
daughters of suitable age, the junior club was
disbanded after several years.
Educating the public was a priority. First
was a lecture by Sheila Macqueen, and then
four seminars were presented by speakers on
landscaping, perennials, annuals, and their care
and maintenance. In the intervening years a
small flower show was held by the WCGC,
and participation in all The GCV Flower
Shows brought joy and knowledge to many
through the beauty of flowers . The club con-
1980-1990
The club started the decade of the 1980s
by planting a boxwood garden at Handley Library in memory of Helen Whiting, a project
enhanced by generous donations of boxwood
from Pam Plater and Blandy Farm and of
mulches, fertilizers, and her gardener's help
from Eleanor White.
The 1980s found the club with a split personality. Some members were coping with the
inevitable pull of gravity as arches and energy
headed southward. The board realized that
the club needed to increase its active membership to meet its many responsibilities. The
members wanted to maintain the closeness of
a small club; yet, it needed the energies of a
larger group. The decision was made to expand. The infusion of young, eager new members began.
Their eagerness prompted the club to
venture outside its own backyards with a trip
to Winterthur, Longwood Gardens, and other
points of interest in the Brandywine Valley.
Husbands were included on this and another
180
182
APPENDIXES
183
188
195
198
v.
200
LIST OF RESTORATIONS
204
212
214
IX. BOOKS
221
183
HONORARY MEMBERS OF
THE GARDEN CLUB OF VIRGINIA
184
Appendix I
APPENDIX I
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
1970-1995
HONORARY PRESIDENTS
PRESIDENTS
1970-72 Mrs. George H. Flowers,Jr.,
Boxwood
1972-74 Mrs. George M. Cochran, Augusta
1974-76 Mrs.John D. Varner, Roanoke
Valley
197 6-78 Mrs. Toy D. Savage, Jr., Norfolk
1978-80 Mrs. Thomas W. Murrell, Jr.,
Tuckahoe
1980-82 Miss Jean Printz, Rivanna
1982-84 Mrs. James B. Montgomery,
Martinsville
1984-86 Mrs. Benjamin W. Mears, Jr.,
Eastern Shore
1986-88 Mrs.James C. Godwin,
N ansemond River
1988-90 Mrs. Lilburn T. Talley,
Winchester-Clarke
1990-92 Mrs. Henley L. Guild,
Hunting Creek
1992-94 Mrs. W. TayloeMurphy,Jr.,
Northern Neck
1994-96 Mrs. H. Gordon Leggett, Jr.,
Lynchburg
185
Martinsville
1980-82 Mrs. Benjamin W. Mears, Jr.,
Eastern Shore
1982-84 Mrs. William H. Parker, Jr.,
Gabriella
1984-86 Mrs. Robert L. Hopkins, Jr.,
Ashland
1986-88 Mrs. W. TayloeMurphy,Jr.,
Northern Neck
1988-90 Mrs. H. Gordon Leggett, Jr.,
Lynchburg
1990-92 Mrs. Robert C. Wood III,
Lynchburg
1992-94 Mrs. Charles H. Schutte, Jr.,
Winchester-Clarke
1994-96 Mrs. Robert Carter, James River
CORRESPONDING SECRETARIES
1970-72 Mrs. A. T. Embrey, Jr.
Rappahannock Valley
1972-74 Mrs. Edwin B. Vaden, Hillside
1974-76 Mrs. D. H. Patteson-Knight,
Fairfax
1976-78 Mrs.James B. Montgomery,
Martinsville
1978-80 Mrs. William W. Old III, Blue
Ridge
1980-82 Mrs. Hunter H. McGuire, Jr.,
James River
1982-84 Mrs. Hugh L. Patterson, Norfolk
1984-86 Mrs. Lilburn T. Talley,
Wmchester-Clarke
1986-88 Mrs. H. Gordon Leggett, Jr.,
Lynchburg
1988-90 Mrs. Robert C. Wood III,
Lynchburg
1990-92 Mrs. Charles H. Schutte, Jr.,
Winchester-Clarke
1992-94 Mrs. FrankT. Ellett, Mill Mountain
1994-96 Mrs. Charles Seilheimer, Jr.,
Warrenton
TREASURERS
1970-74 Mrs.John D. Varner,
Roanoke Valley
1974-78 Miss Jean Printz, Rivanna
1978-82 Mrs. Robert L. Hopkins, Jr.,
Ashland
1982-86 Mrs.James C. Godwin,
Nansemond River
1986-90 Mrs. Herbert W. Jackson III,
Tuckahoe
.
1990-94 Mrs. George A. Whipple, Fairfax
1994Mrs. Austin T. Darden, Jr.,
Nansemond River
DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE
RECORDING SECRETARIES
Appendix I
1988-91 Mrs. Austin T. Darden, Jr.,
Nansemond River
1989-92 Mrs. Paul W Mengel, Gabriella
1989-92 Mrs. William C. Trenary III,
Warren County
1990-93 Mrs. Robert Carter, Jam es River
1990-93 Mrs. Richard S. Bray, Elizabeth
River
1991-94 Mrs. Arthur S. Brinkley,Jr.,
Three Chopt
1991-94 Mrs.Josiah Pollard Rowe III,
Rappahannock Valley
1992-95 Mrs. P. William Moore, Jr.,
Augusta
1992-95 Mrs. T. Austin Sydnor, Jr.,
Albemarle
1993-96 Mrs. William L. Roberts, Jr.,
Williamsburg
1993-96 Mrs. George A. Horkan, Jr.,
Fauquier and Loudoun
1994Mrs. Frank T. Ellett, Mill Mountain
1994Mrs. Hill Carter, Jr., Ashland
1995Mrs. David F. King,
Rappahannock Valley
1995Mrs. Arthur Pleasant Sibold,Jr.,
Hunting Creek
Mill Mountain
1974-77 Mrs. W Wright Harrison,
Virginia Beach
1974-77 Mrs. RobertL. Hopkins,Jr.,
Ashland
1975-78 Mrs. Frederic W Scott, Albemarle
1975-78 Mrs. Edwin B. Vaden, Hillside
1976-79 Mrs.John S. Battle,Jr., Boxwood
1976-79 Mrs. Benjamin W Mears, Jr.,
Eastern Shore
1977 -80 Mrs.Jam es C. Godwin,
Nansemond River
1977-80 Mrs. B. Powell Harrison, Leesburg,
Fauquier and Loudoun
1978-81 Mrs. William H. Parker, Jr.,
Gabriella
1978-81 Mrs. Charles K. Woltz, Rivanna
1979-82 Mrs. Lea Booth, Hillside
1979-82 Mrs. McCluer Gilliam, Blue Ridge
1980-83 Mrs. Henley L. Guild, Hunting
Creek
1980-83 Mrs. Robert W Preston,
Spotswood
1981-84 Mrs. Russell S. Crenshaw,Jr.,
Alexandria
1981-84 Mrs. Lilburn T. Talley,
Winchester-Clarke
1982-85 Mrs. GeorgeM. Brooke,Jr.,
Blue Ridge
1982-85 Mrs. H. Gordon Leggett, Jr.,
Lynchburg
1983-86 Mrs. James B. Murray, Albemarle
1983-86 Mrs. Edward A. Barham, Jr.,
Elizabeth River
1984-87 Mrs. Edward H. Ould, Garden
Study
1984-87 Mrs. Hunter H. McGuire, Jr.,
James River
1985-88 Mrs. Charles C. Freed,Jr.,
Danville
1985-88 Mrs.JereM. H . Willis,Jr.,
Rappahannock Valley
1986-89 Mrs. Willcox Ruffin, Jr., Norfolk
1986-89 Mrs. Merritt W Foster, Jr.,
Boxwood
1987-90 Mrs. Hugh]. Hagan, Jr., Roanoke
Valley
1987-90 Mrs. Thomas H. Tullidge, Augusta
1988-91 Mrs.James T. Butler, Jr.,
Brunswick
187
APPENDIX II
COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN
1970-1995
ADMISSIONS
1970-72 Mrs. N. W. Bullington, Jr., Mill
Mountain
1972-74 Mrs. H. Marston Smith, Northern
Neck
1974-76 Mrs. Mayor F. Fogler, Virginia
Beach
1976-78 Mrs. E. Griffith Dodson, Jr., Mill
Mountain
1978-80 Mrs. Stewart Bell, Jr., Little
Garden Club
1980-82 Mrs.James T. Butler, Jr.,
Brunswick
1982-84 Mrs. Thomas F. Motley III,
Chatham
1984-86 Mrs. Colin]. S. Thomas,Jr.,
Augusta
1986-88 Mrs. Spotswood B. Hall, Jr., James
River
1988-90 Mrs. William Ingles, Gloucester
1990-92 Mrs.Joseph W. Hazlegrove,
Roanoke Valley
1992-94 Mrs. Paul W. Mengel, Gabriella
1994-96 Mrs. Farris P. Hotchkiss, Blue
Ridge Garden Club
Appendix II
CONSERVATION and
BEAUTIFICATION
FLOWER SHOWS
1970-72 Mrs. T. B. Apgar, Warren County
1972-73 Mrs. David G. Simpson,
Winchester-Clarke
1973-74 Mrs. Charles K Waltz, Rivanna
Miss Virginia Bowen,
Charlottesville
1974-76 Mrs.J. H. Cunningham, Fauquier
and Loudoun
1976-78 Mrs. D. H. Patteson-Knight,
Fairfax
1978-80 Mrs. Henley L. Guild, Hunting
Creek
1980-82 Mrs. St.Julian Oppenhimer,
Tuckahoe
1982-84 Mrs. Joseph P. Lawson, Roanoke
Valley
1984-86 Mrs. Merritt W Foster, Jr.,
Boxwood
1986-88 Mrs. Richard S. Bray, Elizabeth
River
1988-90 Mrs. William Brooke Power,
Three Chopt
1990-92 Mrs. Hugh]. Hagan, Jr., Roanoke
Valley
1992-94 Mrs.James F. Tyler, Leesburg
1994-96 Mrs.John R. Eagle, Spotswood
Appendix II
Valley
1994-95 Mrs. Edward A. Barham, Jr.,
Elizabeth River
1995-96 Mrs. Charles C. Freed, Jr.,
Danville
KENT-VALENTINE HOUSE
1972-74 Mrs. George H. Flowers, Jr.,
Boxwood
1974-76 Mrs. DeWittF. Helm,Jr., Boxwood
1976-78 Mrs.James C. Wheat, Jr., Tuckahoe
1978-80 Mrs. Spotswood B. Hall, Jr.,
James River
1980-81 Mrs. Williams E. Pembleton,
Tuckahoe
1981-82 Mrs. Spotswood B. Hall, Jr., James
River
1982-84 Mrs. Spotswood B. Hall, Jr., James
River
1984-86 Mrs. George H. Flowers, Jr.,
Boxwood
1986-88 Mrs. W. G. Maser, Boxwood
1988-90 Mrs. Spotswood B. Hall, Jr., James
River
1990-92 Mrs. Richard H. Catlett, Jr.,
Boxwood
1992-94 Mrs. George H. Flowers, Jr.,
Boxwood
1994-96 Mrs. Charles H. Frischkorn,
Tuckahoe
NOMINATIONS
1970-72 Mrs. James Bland Martin,
Gloucester
1972-74 Mrs. Benjamin F. Parrott, Mill
Mountain
1974-76 Mrs. Lucius]. Kellam, Eastern
Shore
1976-78 Mrs. George H. Flowers, Jr.,
Boxwood
1978-80 Mrs. George M. Cochran, Augusta
1980-82 Mrs.John D. Varner, Jr., Roanoke
Valley
1982-84 Mrs. Toy D. Savage, Jr., Norfolk
1984-86 Mrs. Frederic W. Scott, Albemarle
1986-88 Miss Jean Printz, Rivanna
1988-90 Mrs. Benjamin W. Mears, Jr.,
Eastern Shore
1990-92 Mrs. Wyatt A. Williams, Dolley
Madison
1992-94 Mrs. James C. Godwin,
Nansemond River
1994-96 Mrs. Henley L. Guild, Hunting
Creek
EDITOR
1961-88 Mrs.John M. Stetson,
Williamsburg
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
PUBLICATIONS
THE GARDEN CLUB
OF VIRGINIA JOURNAL
CHAIRMEN
RESTORATION
1970-72 Mrs. Thomas E. Thorne,
Williamsburg
1972-74 Mrs. Lucius]. Kellam, Eastern
Shore
1974-76 Mrs. Thomas W. Murrell, Jr.,
Tuckahoe
197 6-78 Mrs. George M. Cochran, Augusta
192
Appendix II
1978-80 Mrs. George H. Flowers,Jr.,
Boxwood
1980-82 Mrs. Toy D. Savage, Jr., Norfolk
1982-84 Mrs. William L. Gilliam, Jr.,
Virginia Beach
1984-86 Mrs. Henley L. Guild, Hunting
Creek
1986-88 Mrs. Lilburn T. Talley,
Wmchester-Clarke
1988-90 Mrs. Robert L. Hopkins, Jr.,
Ashland
1990-92 Mrs. H. Gordon Leggett, Jr.,
Lynchburg
1992-94 Mrs. Benjamin W. Mears, Jr.,
Eastern Shore
1994-96 Mrs. Paul W. Mengel, Gabriella
1994-
Dolley Madison
Mrs. W. John Matheson,
Gloucester
LILY
1966-72 Mrs. Arthur A. Dugdale, Ashland
1972-76 Mrs. Hunt Nenon, Chatham
1976-80 Mrs. Wilfred T. Grenfell, Jr.,
Dolley Madison
1980-84 Mrs. Douglas G. Lindsay, Hunting
Creek
1984-86 Mrs. Saxon W. Holt,Jr., Virginia
Beach
1986-88 Mrs. Donald R. Ober, Dolley
Madison
1988Mrs. David Diller, Spotswood
SLIDES
ROSE
1970-72 Mrs. William H. King, Three
Chopt
1972-74 Mrs. Richmond Gray, Three
Chopt
1974-76 Mrs. Ivor Massey, Boxwood
1976-78 Mrs. R. Vollie Richardson,
Hampton Roads
1978-80 Miss Jane Saunders, Tuckahoe
1980-82 Mrs. Edward H. Ould, Garden
Study
1982-84 Mrs.James T. Butler, Jr.,
Brunswick
1984-86 Mrs.John D. Haire, Jr., Petersburg
1986-88 Mrs. J. Brooks Semple, Warrenton
1988-90 Mrs. Patrick Acheson, Leesburg
1990-92 Mrs. Douglas E. Quarles, Jr.,
Rappahannock Valley
1992-94 Mrs. Laurent Boetsch, Blue Ridge
1994-96 Mrs. E. Carruthers Bruce, Virginia
Beach
TEST COLLECTIONS
DAFFODIL
1968-74 Mrs. Reginald F. C. Vance,
Gloucester
1974-82 Mrs. Karl F. Hehl, Lynchburg
1982-91 Mrs.Joel Crenshaw, Hunting
Creek
1991-94 Mrs. Robert F. Gillespie, Jr.,
SPECIAL COMMITTEE
Seventy-fifth Anniversary Gala - Chairmen
1994-95 Mrs. Hunter H . McGuire, Jr.,
193
194
Appendix Ill
APPENDIX III
LIST OF MEMBER CLUBS
Admitted GCV:
Club:
Organized:
ALEXANDRIA
The Garden Club of Alexandria
The Hunting Creek Garden Club
10/1/1925
3/5/1942
4/23/1930
5/12/1954
ASHLAND
The Ashland Garden Club
10112/1922
5/19/1948
CHARLOTTESVILLE
Albemarle Garden Club
The Charlottesville Garden Club
Rivanna Garden Club
10/16/1913
3/17/1949
11/16/1922
511511957
5/30/1924
CHATHAM
Chatham Garden Club
7/1921
5/12/1922
DANVILLE
The Garden Club of Danville
Gabriella Garden Club
6/20/1918
4/15/1933
1920
5/1111938
EASTERN SHORE
Garden Club of the Eastern Shore
5/12/1939
5/12/1942
FAIRFAX
The Garden Club of Fairfax
6/1926
6/13/1935
FRANKLIN
The Franklin Garden Club
9/1945
5/17/1955
FREDERICKSBURG
The Rappahannock Valley Garden Club
10/28/1924
FRONT ROYAL
The Garden Club of Warren County
6119/1929
195
1920
5/3/1933
5/20/1941
6/1928
HARRISONBURG
The Spotswood Garden Club
7118/1924
6/12/1929
LAWRENCEVILLE
The Brunswick Garden Club
3/12/1924
5/18/1926
LEESBURG
Leesburg Garden Club
12/9/1915
5/18/1926
LEXINGTON
The Blue Ridge Garden Club
10/111925
4/23/1930
LYNCHBURG
Hillside Garden Club
The Lynchburg Garden Club
7/1935
3/29/1922
5/29/1953
5/23/1923
MARTINSVILLE
The Garden Study Club
The Martinsville Garden Club
9/1946
4/1923
5/15/1958
5/30/1924
MIDDLEBURG AREA
Fauquier and Loudoun Garden Club
11/23/1915
NEWPORT NEWS-HAMPTON
Hampton Roads Garden Club
The HuntingtoD Garden Club
4/1932
4/1935
5/12/1937
5/17/1956
NORFOLK
Harborfront Garden Club
The Garden Club of Norfolk
1953
2/24/1915
5/20/1992
1920
NORTHERN NECK
The Garden Club of the Northern Neck
1lt15/1966
5/14/1969
ORANGE
Dolley Madison Garden Club
11/1919
1920
PETERSBURG
The Petersburg Garden Club
5/5/1925
5/19/1932
PORTSMOUTH
The Elizabeth River Garden Club
417/1927
5/14/1975
RICHMOND
The Boxwood Garden Club
The James River Garden Club
Three Chopt Garden Club
1/1937
3/1/1915
2/7/1939
5/15/1952
1920
5/15/1952
196
5/9/1945
1920
Appendix III
Tuckahoe Garden Club of Westhampton
ROANOKE
The Mill Mountain Garden Club
Roanoke Valley Garden Club
STAUNTON
The Augusta Garden Club
6/28/1928
5/10/1934
6/29/1927
4/1925
5/27/1936
6/12/1929
1919
1920
SUFFOLK
The Nansemond River Garden Club
10/26/1928
5/27/1936
VIRGINIA BEACH
The Princess Anne Garden Club
The Virginia Beach Garden Club
2/6/1932
3/10/1937
5/11/1938
5/29/1953
WARRENTON
The Warrenton Garden Club
5/17/1911
1920
WILLIAMSBURG
The Williamsburg Garden Club
3/21/29
6/11/1931
WINCHESTER
The Little Garden Club of Winchester
Winchester-Clarke Garden Club
7/1934
517/1924
5/12/1954
5/26/1927
Admitted:
1922
1925
1925
1925
197
Resigned:
1927
1938
1938
1956
APPENDIX IV
1970-1995
The James River Garden Club ................................................................... May 19, 20, 21,
The Martinsville Garden Club ............................................................ October 13, 14, 15,
The Charlottesville Garden Club .............................................................. May 11, 12, 13,
The Franklin Garden Club .................................................................. October 26, 27, 28,
The Hunting Creek Garden Club ............................................................. May 16, 17, 18,
The Little Garden Club of Winchester ............................................... October 10, 11, 12,
The Lynchburg Garden Club .................................................................... May 15, 16, 17,
Tuckahoe Garden Club of Westhampton .............................................. October 9, 10, 11,
Albemarle Garden Club ............................................................................. May 21, 22, 23,
The Mill Mountain Garden Club ............................................................. October 8, 9,10,
The Garden Club of Alexandria ................................................................ May 13, 14, 15,
Garden Club of the Eastern Shore ...................................................... October 14, 15, 16,
The Rapahannock Valley Garden Club ..................................................... May 11, 12, 13,
Gabriella Garden Club ......................................................................... October 12, 13, 14,
The Virginia Beach Garden Club .............................................................. May 17, 18, 19,
The Petersburg Garden Club .............................................................. October 11, 12, 13,
Hillside Garden Club ................................................................................. May 16, 17, 18,
The Garden Study Club ....................................................................... October 10, 11, 12,
The Boxwood Garden Club ....................................................................... May 15, 16, 17,
The Spotswood Garden Club ................................................................ October 9, 10, 11,
The Garden Club of Fairfax ...................................................................... May 20, 21, 22,
The Blue Ridge Garden Club .............................................................. October 14, 15, 16,
Hampton Roads Garden Club ................................................................... May 19, 20, 21,
The Garden Club of Warren County .................................................. October 13, 14, 15,
The Princess Anne Garden Club ............................. ,................................. May 18, 19, 20,
The Augusta Garden Club ...................................................................... ctober 19, 20, 21,
The Garden Club of the Northern Neck .................................................. May 17, 18, 19,
Winchester-Clarke Garden Club ......................................................... October 11, 12, 13,
The Garden Club of Danville .................................................................... May 15, 16, 17,
The Ashland Garden Club ................................................................... October 16, 17, 18.
Rivanna Garden Club ................................................................................. May 21, 22, 23,
Fauquier and Loudoun Garden Club .................................................. October 15, 16, 17,
Three Chopt Garden Club ........................................................................ May 13, 14, 15,
The Nansemond River Garden Club .................................................. October 14, 15, 16,
Roanoke Valley Garden Club ..................................................................... May 19, 20, 21,
198
1970
1970
1971
1971
1972
1972
1973
1973
1974
1974
1975
1975
1976
1976
1977
1977
1978
1978
1979
1979
1980
1980
1981
1981
1982
1982
1983
1983
1984
1984
1985
1985
1986
1986
1987
Appendix IV
The Brunswick Garden Club ............................................................... October 13, 14,1 5, 1987
The Williamsburg Garden Club ................................................................ May 10, 11, 12, 1988
The Garden Club of Gloucester .......................................................... October 11, 12, 13, 1988
The Jam es River Garden Club ..................................................................... May 9, 10, 11, 1989
Garden Club of the Eastern Shore ...................................................... October 24, 25, 26, 1989
The Huntington Garden Club ................. ......................................... ............. May 8, 9, 10, 1990
Leesburg Garden Club ......................................................................... October 17, 18, 19, 1990
The Virginia Beach Garden Club .............................................................. May 14, 15, 16, 1991
The Franklin Garden Club ...................................................................... October 8, 9, 10, 1991
The Lynchburg Garden Club .................................................................... May 19, 20, 21, 1992
The Warrenton Garden Club ...................................... ........ ................ October 13, 14, 15, 1992
The Elizabeth River Garden Club ............................................................. May 11, 12, 13 , 1993
The Hunting Creek Garden Club ....................................................... October 12, 13, 14, 1993
Albemarle Garden Club ............................................................................. May 10, 11 , 12, 1994
The Garden Study Club ......................................................................... October 11,12,13 , 1994
The Garden Club of Norfolk ....................................................................... May 9, 10, 11, 1995
Tuckahoe Garden Club of Westhampton ............................................ October 10, 11, 12, 1995
199
APPENDIXV
LIST OF GCV RESTORATIONS
Appendix V
27)PRESTWOULD PLANTATION,
Clarksville. Gardens delineated, grounds
restored and summerhouse furnished.
1980-1981. Landscape Architect: Mr.
Rudy]. Favretti Chairmen: Mrs. George
H. Flowers, Jr., Mrs. Toy D. Savage, Jr.
32) BACON'S CASTLE, Surry. Site Archaeology, Restored Garden and Forcing Wall,
1984-1989.
Landscape Architect Mr. Rudy J. Favretti
Chairmen: Mrs. Henley L. Guild, Mrs.
Lilburn T. Talley, Mrs. Robert L.
Hopkins, Jr.
Appendix V
Special gifts:
203
APPENDIX VI
ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS and WINNERS
Appendix VI
horticulture and her readiness to teach and
help others.
1980-Mrs. George Moffett Cochran of
Staunton for her outstanding dedication, leadership and concern for The Garden Club of
Virginia and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
1981-Mrs. John M. Stetson of
Williamsburg, Editor of The Garden Club of
Virginia J oumal, for distinguished service to
The Garden Club of Virginia "by her devotion, constancy, knowledge and wit."
1982-Mrs. F. Whitney Godwin of Suffolk for her many years of dedicated service
to The Garden Club of Virginia in the fields
of Restoration and Conservation.
1983-Mrs. W. Hugh Peal of Leesburg for
furthering the aims, ideals and programs of
The Garden Club of Virginia while at the same
time making a significant contribution to the
local community.
1984--- Mrs. Thomas W. Murrell, Jr., of
Richmond in recognition of her integrity,
dedication and leadership to The Garden Club
of Virginia and the community.
1985-Mrs.J. RobertMassie,Jr., of Richmond ... "the success of Garden Week is due
in large part to her editorial expertise, instinctive good taste and persistent hard work."
1986-Mrs. Jam es 0. Lester of Roanoke
for freely sharing her interest in the fields of
arranging and growing flowers.
1987-Mrs. Charles K. Waltz of
Charlottesville for her gift of beauty and her
joy in the giving.
1988-Mrs. C. Harrison Mann, Jr., of Alexandria for "heart and mind and talents ... .in
service to The Garden Club of Virginia."
1989-Mrs. Kenneth S. White of
Lynchburg " .. as a planner, creator, restorer
and preserver of gardens."
1990-Mrs. J. Robert Walker of
Martinsville for a lifetime of outstanding accomplishments in gardening, horticulture and
flower exhibiting.
1990-Mrs. Lucius J. Kellam of the Eastern Shore for a lifetime of dedicated service
to The Garden Club of Virginia.
1991-Miss Jean Printz of Charlottesville
For her "loving and distinguished service to
the community and The Garden Club ofVir-
ginia."
1992-The Garden Club of the Northern
Neck, "an outstanding member club of The
Garden Club of Virginia."
1993-Mrs. Robert L. Hopkins, Jr., of
Ashland for "unparalleled dedication to the
objects of The Garden Club ofVirginia."
1994---Mrs. Toy D. Savage, Jr. for "wise
decisions made with sparkling vitality."
1995-Mary Ramey Cunningham of
Fauquier and Loudoun Garden Club who
"with clear vision and dedication to teaching
exemplifies the ideals of The Garden Club of
Virginia."
1996-Elizabeth Perkins Varner of
Roanoke Valley Garden Club "for her continuing involvement which is of inestimable
value to The Garden Club of Virginia."
Appendix VI
Murray) of the Albemarle Garden Club for
her devotion to the cause of conservation with
enthusiasm, intelligence and skill.
seum.
1992-Winchester-Clarke Garden Club
for "Shalom et Benedictus Not Only Good
Gardening" project.
.
1993-The Princess Anne Garden Club
for the restoration of the grounds, including
design, plant acquisition and fund raising to
create an old fashioned seaside garden at the
deWitt cottage.
1994- Gabriella Garden Club for a second-floor roof garden at Danville Memorial
Hospital.
1995-Hillside Garden Club for joining
the renovation effort to save the Old
Lynchburg City Cemetery.
COMMON WEALTH
AWARD RUNNERS-UP:
1984-The Rivanna Garden Club of
Charlottesville for trees at the Miller School;
The Garden Club of Norfolk for restoration
of boxwood at the Hermitage Foundation; and
The Garden Club of Gloucester for preservation and clearing at Rosewell.
1985-The Garden Club of the Eastern
Shore for landscaping the Eastern Shore Public Library; The Charlottesville Garden Club
for the Courtyard Garden at The University
of Virginia Hospital; The Rivanna Garden
Club For the Miller School Arboretum;
Roanoke Valley Garden Club for the garden
at the Roanoke Transportation Museum.
1987-The Lynchburg Garden Club for
Operation: Plant-A-Tree.
1988-The Charlottesville Garden Club
for Landscaping the University of Virginia
Fraternities; and The Garden Study Club of
Martinsville for Landscaping the Virginia
Museum of Natural History.
1991-The Winchester-Clarke Garden
Club for landscaping and beautification at
Shalom-et-Benedictus Treatment Center; and
The Garden Club of the Northern Neck for
gardens at Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury Retirement Community.
1992-The Rappahannock Valley Garden
Club of Fredericksburg for landscaping the
Central Rappahannock Regional Library.
207
Appendix VI
Mrs. Victor Iterralde, Williamsburg
Mrs. Richard C. Plater, Wmchester-Clarke
1979 Mrs. William P. Pence, Alexandria
Mrs. Robert E. Anderson ill, Boxwood
Mrs. Charlton B. Strange, Jr., Danville
Mrs. Leonard W. Dick, Jr., Dolley
Madison
Mrs. George Francis Parsons,
Eastern Shore
Mrs. E. H. Ould, Garden Study
Mrs. David Stifel, Gloucester
Mrs. William L. Gilliam, Jr.,
Virginia Beach
Mrs. Richard R. Almy, Warren County
Mrs. Hibbert 0. Corey, Williamsburg
1980 Col. Thomas B. Gentry, Blue Ridge
Mrs. Giles C. Upshire,Jr., Eastern Shore
Mr. and Mrs. Newton H. Ray, Gabriella
Mrs. Henry M. Sackett ill, Hillside
Mrs. Henley L. Guild, Hunting Creek
Mrs. E. Massie Valentine, James River
Mrs. Henry Lee Valentine, James River
Mrs. Russell B. Davis, Princess Anne
Mrs. Alfred R. Armstrong, Williamsburg
Mrs. George W. Burton, WinchesterClarke
1981 Mrs.John M. Maury, Alexandria
Mrs. Theodore G. Scott, Jr.,
Dolley Madison
Mrs. Karl R. Hehl, Lynchburg
Mrs. W. Pollard Acree, Petersburg
Mrs. St.Julian Oppenhimer,Jr., Tuckahoe
1982 Mrs.John Y. Kerr, Alexandria
Mrs. Henry C. Martin, Dolley Madison
Mrs. Tull N. Gearreald, Norfolk
Mrs. Wat Tyler Griffith, Northern Neck
Mrs. William Rotch, Rivanna
Mrs. Charles 0. Strickler, Spotswood
Mrs.Jam es Asa Shield, Jr., Three Chopt
1983 Mrs. Oscar A. Thorup, Jr., Charlottesville
Mrs. Charles B. Crews, Chatham
Mrs.John Garland Pollard,Jr., Northern
Neck
Mrs. Isaac Zigler, Warren County
1984 -
Appendix VI
1984--Miss Gisela Grimm for her work
in planning and creating the Wildflower Preserve in the Weyanoke Sanctuary in Norfolk.
1984--Mrs. Lyndon Baines Johnson for
her lifetime of beautification projects and the
establishment of the National Wildflower
Research Center.
1985-Mr. Paul E. Saunier, Jr. of
Charlottesville for his untiring efforts in bringing into being the Ivy Creek Natural Area and
the Ivy Creek Foundation.
1986-Mr. Linton Beasley for his aide in
the recycling program to raise money for the
'Plant-A-Tree" project of the city of
Lynchburg.
1986-Piedmont Environmental Council
for leading in the education of the public and
the opposition to uranium mining in Virginia.
1987-The Carden family, owners of
Potomac Supply Lumber Company, for their
extraordinary efforts to protect the environment of the Potomac River, an example for
the lumber industry.
1987-Gordon W. Shelton, Fredericksburg City Councilman and environmental watchdog of the Rappahannock River.
1988-Mr. Bruce Brenner, President of
Cycle Systems of Roanoke, Virginia for his
pioneering work in the recycling efforts in the
Roanoke Valley.
1988-City Council of Virginia Beach for
the Council's support of community efforts to
save ocean front land for the 24th Street park.
1989-DUE TO THE GENEROSITY
OF THE ASHLAND GARDEN CLUB,
THIS AWARD GIVEN AS A TRIBUTE
TO ELIZABETH CABELL DUGDALE IS
NOW NAMED IN HER HONOR. ..........
1989-Mr. Ernest Dickerman, Buffalo
Gap, Virginia, for his contribution as "the
Father of the Virginia Wilderness."
1990-Mr. Jam es V. Morgan of Gloucester
County for a lifetime of contribution to conservation.
1990-Reynolds Metals Company of Richmond as a pioneer in recycling efforts.
1991-Ms. Judith Kator of Williamsburg
for establishing the first city recycling program
in the state.
1991-Advance Auto Parts of Roanoke as
211
APPENDIX VII
DAFFODIL SHOWS:
36th. 1970 Fredericksburg, Rappahannock
Valley
37th. 1971 Danville, Danville
38th. 1972 Danville, Danville
39th. 1973 Gloucester, Gloucester
40th. 1974 Gloucester, Gloucester
4lth. 1975 Warsaw, Northern Neck
42th. 1976 Warsaw, Northern Nack
4 3th. 1977 Roanoke, Mill Mountain
44th. 1978 Roanoke, Mill Mountain
45th. 1979 Lynchburg, Lynchburg
46th. 1980 Lynchburg, Lynchburg
47th. 1981 Suffolk, Nansemond River
48th. 1982 Portsmouth, Elizabeth River
49th. 1983 Franklin, Franklin
50th. 1984 Charlottesville, Charlottesville
51 th. 1985 Charlottesville, Albemarle
52th. 1986 Martinsville, Martinsville
53th. 1987 Martinsville, Martinsville
54th. 1988 Danville, Gabriella
55th. 1989 Danville, Gabriella
56th. 1990 Roanoke, Mill Mountain
57th. 1991 Roanoke, Mill Mountain
58th. 1992 Harrisonburg, Spotswood
59th. 1993 Harrisonburg, Spotswood
60th. 1994 Ashland, Ashland
61 th. 1995 Ashland, Ashland
33th.
34th.
35th.
36th.
37th.
38th.
39th.
40th.
41 th.
42th.
43th.
44th.
45th.
46th.
47th.
48th.
49th.
50th.
51 th.
52th.
53th.
54th.
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
Ashland, Ashland
Ashland, Ashland
Charlottesville, Rivanna
Charlottesville, Rivanna
Middleburg, Leesburg, Fauquier
and Loudoun
1980 Leesburg, Leesburg, Fauquier
and Loudoun
1981 Warrenton, Warrenton
1982 Orange, Dolley Madison
1983 Chatham, Chatham
1984 Chatham, ~hatham
1985 Alexandria, Hunting Creek
1986 Alexandria, Hunting Creek
1987 Winchester, Little Garden Club
1988 Winchester, Little Garden Club
1989 Front Royal, Garden Club of
Warren County
1990 Front Royal, Garden Club of
Warren County
1991 Fairfax, Garden Club of Fairfax
1992 Fairfax, Garden Club of Fairfax
1993 Orange, Dolley Madison
1994 Orange, Dolley Madison
1995 Charlottesville, Rivanna
1996 Charlottesville, Rivanna
ROSE SHOWS:
34th. 1970 Chatham, Chatham
35th. 1971 Richmond, Boxwood
36th. 1972 Richmond, Three Chopt
37th. 1973 Fairfax, Garden Club of Fairfax
38th. 1974 Millwood, Winchester-Clarke
39th. 197 5 Lawrenceville, Brunswick
40th. 197 6 Roanoke, Roanoke Valley
LILY SHOWS:
28th. 1970 Front Royal, Warren County
29th. 1971 Harrisonburg, Spotswood
30th. 1972 Harrisonburg, Spotswood
31th. 1973 Lexington, Blue Ridge
32th. 1974 Lexington, Blue Ridge
212
Appendix VII
41 th.
42th.
43th.
44th.
45th.
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
46th. 1982
47th. 1983
48th. 1984
49th. 1985
50th. 1986
Williamsburg, Williamsburg
Williamsburg, Williamsburg
Alexandria, Alexandria
Alexandria, Alexandria
Richmond, James River and
Tuckahoe of Westhampton
Richmond, James River and
Tuckahoe of Westhampton
Petersburg, Petersburg
Norfolk, Norfolk
Fredericksburg, Rappahannock
Valley
Fredricksburg, Rappahannock
Valley
51 th.
52th.
53th.
54th.
55th.
56th.
57th.
58th.
59th.
60th.
213
1987
1988
1989
1990
Lynchburg, Hillside
Lynchburg, Hillside
Richmond, Boxwood
Northern Neck, Garden Club
of Northern Neck
1991 Northern Neck, Garden Club
of Northern Neck
1992 Virginia Beach, Princess Anne
Garden Club
1993 Virginia Beach, Princess Anne
Garden Club
1994 Winchester, Winchester-Clarke
1995 Winchester, Winchester-Clarke
1996 Hampton, Hampton Roads
APPENDIX VIII
FLOWER SHOW AWARDS and WINNERS
1986 No award
1987 No award
1988 Mrs. Kit Pannill, Martinsville and
Garden Study Club
1989 Mrs.]. Robert Walker, Martinsville
1990 Mrs. William Pannill, Martinsville and
James River
1991 Mrs. Lockwood Frizzell,
Charlottesville
1992 No award
1993 No award
1994 No award
1995 Mrs. K. B. Kingsley, Leesburg
LILY:
1970 Mrs. Wyatt Aiken Williams, Dolley
Madison
1971 No award
1972 Mrs. John T. Ramey, Fauquier and
Loudoun
1973 Mrs. Percy Rogers, Warren County
1974 Mrs.John T. Ramey, Fauquier and
Loudoun
197 5 Mrs. Percy L. Rogers, Warren County
1976,1977
No award
1978 Mrs. W.W. Sproul, Augusta
1979,1980
No award
1981 Mrs. W. W. Sproul, Augusta
1982,1983
No award
No award
1984,1985
No award
1986,1987
1988,1989
No award
No award
1990,1991
No award
1992,1993
No award
1994
DAFFODIL:
No award
1970,1971
1972 Mrs. J. Robert Walker, Martinsville
1973 Mrs. Robert Wheat III, Northern
Neck
1974 Mrs. Raymond W. Lewis, Gloucester
197 5 Mrs. J. Robert Walker, Martinsville
1976 No award
1977 Mrs. J. Robert Walker, Martinsville
1978 No award
1979 Mrs. J. Robert Walker, Martinsville
1980 Mrs. F. Paul Turner, Martinsville
1981 No award
1982 No award
1983 No award
1984 Mrs. J. Robert Walker, Martinsville
1985 No award
214
Appendix VIII
1995 No award
1995 No award
ROSE:
1970 Mrs. Thomas R. Towers, Tuckahoe
1971 No award
1972 Mrs.John Elliott, Jr., Fairfax
1973,1976
No award
1977 Mrs. D. B. Tankard, Eastern Shore
1978 Mrs. Charles Broadus, Jr., Chatham
1979 Mrs. Charles Broadus, Jr., Chatham
1980 No award
1981 Mrs. FrankM. Lusk, Eastern Shore
1982,1983
No award
1984 Mrs. David B. Tankard, Eastern Shore
1985,1987
No award
1988 Mrs. 0. H. Eure, Tuckahoe
1989 Mrs. Frank M. Lusk, Eastern Shore
1990,1992
No award
1993 Mrs. David B. Tankard, Eastern Shore
1994, 1995
No award
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1969,1972
No award
1973 Mrs. E. Ashton Sale, Martinsville
1974 Mrs. E. Ashton Sale, Martinsville
197 5 Mrs. J. Robert Walker, Martinsville
1976 No award
1977 Mrs. J. Robert Walker, Martinsville
1978 Mrs. J. Robert Walker, Martinsville
1979 Mrs. Daniel K. Critz, Martinsville
1980 Mrs. Daniel K. Critz, Martinsville
No award
1981,1988
1989 Mrs. Kit Pannill, Martinsville and
James River
1990 No award
1991 Mrs. William Pannill, Martinsville and
James River
1992 No award
1993 Mrs. W. John Matheson, Gloucester
1994 No award
1994
1995
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
Appendix VIII
1988 Mrs. Robert F. Gillespie, Jr.,
Dolley Madison
1989 Mrs. Robert F. Gillespie, Jr.,
Dolley Madison
1990 Mrs. Robert F. Gillespie, Jr.,
Dolley Madison
1991 Mrs. William Pannill, Martinsville
and Jam es River
1992 Mrs. W. John Matheson, Gloucester
1993 Mrs. W. John Matheson, Gloucastir
1994 Mrs. W. John Matheson, Gloucester
1995 Mrs. George Burton, WinchesterClarke
Daffodil Show.
The Trophy has been awarded to:
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
of Warren County
1986 No award
1987 Mrs. Richard R. Almy, Garden Club
of Warren County
1988,1991
No award
1992 Mrs. Wesley Graves VI,
Spotswood
1993 Mrs. George Harnsberger, Spotswood
1994 No award
1995 Noaward
THEBLANCHEROHRERDAVISCUP
This cup was given in loving memory of
Blanche Rohrer Davis by friends in the
Roanoke area as a perpetual trophy. The cup
was presented to The Garden Club of Virginia in 1957: to be awarded annually at the
Lily Show of The Garden Club of Virginia.
First awarded 1958.
The award has been presented to:
Appendix VIII
Maryland
1982 Mr. Ron Chiabotta, Kensington,
Maryland
1983 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville,
Maryland
1984 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville,
Maryland
1985 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville,
Maryland
1986 Mr. Ron Chiabotta, Kensington,
Maryland
1987 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville,
Maryland
1988 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville,
Maryland
1989 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville,
Maryland
1990 Mr. Warren S. Summers, Tolland,
Connecticut
1991 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville,
Maryland
1992 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville,
Maryland
1993 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville,
Maryland
1994-199 5
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen,
Rockville, Maryland
Maryland
1987,1989
No award
1990 Mr. Ron Chiabotta, Kensington,
Maryland
No award
1991,1992
1993 Mrs. Saxon W. Holt, Jr., Virginia
Beach
1994 No award
1995 No award
THE ROBERT S. PICKENS
MEMORIAL TROPHY:
This award was presented in memory of
Robert S. Pickens by his family in recognition of his active and enthusiastic interest in
the growing of lilies. It is open to all amateur
lily growers and will be awarded annually at
the Lily Show. It was first awarded in 1980.
1980 Mrs. Harry deButts, F auquisr and
Loudoun
1981 No award
1982 Mrs. Richard R. Almy, Garden Club
of Warren County
1983 Noaward
1984 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville,
Maryland
1985 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville,
Maryland
1986 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville,
Maryland
1987 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville,
Maryland
1988 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville,
Maryland
1989 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville,
Maryland
1990 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville,
Maryland
1991 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville,
Maryland
1992 No award
1993 Mrs. Gilbert K. Queitzsch, Dolley
Madison
1994 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville,
Maryland
1995 Mr. and Mr. Frank Bowen, Rockville,
Maryland
Shore
1989 Mrs. Frank M. Lusk, Eastern Shore
1990 Dr. and Mrs. E. V. Brush
1991 Mrs.James R. Hundley, Northern
Neck
1992 No award
1993 No award
1994 No award
1995 Mrs.James Hundley, Northern Neck
No award
Appendix VIII
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
Fredericksburg
1992 Mrs.James R. Hundley, Northern
Neck
1993 No award
1994 Mr.John Scott
199 5 Mr. and Mrs.Jam es Hundley,
Northern Neck
THE ELIZABETH GWATHMEY
JEFFRESS TROPHY:
This award was given in loving memory
oF Elizabeth Gwathmey Jeffress by her cousin
John Stewart Bryan ID, to be awarded annually to a member club of The Garden Club of
Virginia for the best Inter-Club arrangement
at the annual Rose Show.
It has been awarded to:
1983 The Rappahannock Valley Garden
Club
1984 The Spotswood Garden Club
1985 The Ashland Garden Club
1986 The Rappahannock Valley Garden
Club
1987 The Garden Club of Gloucester
1988 The Garden Club of Danville
1989 The Franklin Garden Club
1990 The Martinsville Garden Club
1991 Hillside Garden Club
1992 The Virginia Beach Garden Club
1993 Harborfront Garden Club
1994 The Nansemond River Garden Club
1995 The Elizabeth River Garden Club
THE ELIZABETH CAMPBELL
WRIGHT BOWL:
This award, given by the Leesburg Garden Club to honor Mrs. Burdette S. Wright,
21st President of The Garden Club of Virginia, to be awarded annually at the Rose Show
to a Garden Club of Virginia member for Section I. Class E, a collection of four Hybrid
Tea roses; one each of the major color classeswhite, yellow, pink and red-in separate vases.
It has been awarded to:
1983
1984
1985
1986
No award
Mrs. David B. Tankard, Eastern Shore
No award
Mrs. Elizabeth W. Dodd,
222
Appendix IX
APPENDIX IX
THE BOOKS
224