:Follow the

(}reen ru'lrrow
VOLUME II

THE HISTORY OF THE GARDEN CLUB

OFVIRGINIA, 1970-1995

THE DIETZ PRESS

Richmond, Virginia

1997
 FIFTEEN HUNDRED COPIES OF THIS
FIRST EDITION OF
Follow the Green Arrow, Volume II
HAVE BEEN PRINTED

Copyrighted by The Garden Club of Virginia 1997

LCCN: 79-16009
 Article IX-The Garden Club ofVirginia Seal

The Official Seal of The Garden Club of Virginia is devised in three parts.
The Center is taken from the seal of the Province of Virginia in America show-
ing a queen receiving the gift of tobacco plant from an Indian Princess. The
four petals of Dogwood, the State Flower, form the second part, and the last
part is made up of the lettering: "The Garden Club of Virginia" and "En Dat
Virginia Quartam. "The latter signifies that Virginia formed the Fourth part of
the Crown Dominions which also included Britain, France, and Ireland Qour-
nal of the House Burgesses [1702-03 - 1712]).
 FOREWORD

S
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 pro-
vide appropriate settings for historic sites, fill a vital need in complementing the efforts of oth-
ers who undertake the bricks-and-mortar elements of historic preservation. Thanks to the lead-
ership 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 inter-
est 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 archi-
tects, and gardeners at all levels. Two of these were major publications. The first, Historic Vir-
ginia Gardens by Dorothy Hunt Williams, a massive volume published in 197 5, included de-
tailed 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 hand-
some, 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 documen-
tary material with archaeological investigation. In the case of Bacon's Castle, The Club, work-
ing 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
 Follow the Green Arrow

grounds in private ownership. This program promises to be one of the most important projects
planned for the next quarter century.
The period covered in this volume began and ended with major plans for what is certainly
one of The GCV's most visible and influential undertakings. These were the purchase in 1971
of Richmond's Kent-Valentine House as a headquarters for The Club and for Historic Garden
Week and the beginning in 1995 of a major expansion and upgrading of the house facility. The
commitment of The Club for the last quarter of a century has not been just to that particular
building, but to downtown Richmond in general and to historic Franklin Street in particular.
The presence and influence of The GCV has catalyzed others to champion the preservation of
other noble buildings in the proud neighborhood that was once Richmond's finest. It is to The
GCV's eternal credit that not a single major building in the area has been lost since The Club
settled there. In fact almost every other building between The Club and Monroe Park has been
restored. It is fitting that The Garden Club of Virginia has led in the preservation of the main
approach to Capitol Square. .
No other statewide organization rivals The Garden Club of Virginia in commitment to the
common good, a vision for a better Virginia, and dedication to its own worthy goals. The citi-
zens of our Commonwealth should be forever grateful.

John G. Zehmer

viii
 PREFACE

T
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. 'Garden-
ing as a fine art,' Jefferson wrote his granddaughter, 'was not horticulture but the art of embel-
lishing 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 real-
ity. The contribution of The Garden Club of Virginia over the years has been adopting a seri-
ous purpose and endowing it with zest.
This 25-year-history (1970-1995) could not have been put on paper without the informa-
tion 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.

Mrs. Charles H. Schutte, Jr. Committee:

President of The Garden Club of Virginia 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 vu

PREFACE ix

INTRODUCTION 1

THE GARDEN CLUB OF VIRGINIA PRESIDENTS 3

Mrs. Lucius]. Kellam 4
Mrs. George H. Flowers, Jr. 7
Mrs. George M. Cochran 10
Mrs.John D. Varner 19
Mrs. Toy D. Savage 23
Mrs. Thomas W. Murrell, Jr. 26
Miss Jean Printz 32
Mrs.James B. Montgomery 40
Mrs. Benjamin W. Mears, Jr. 44
Mrs.Jam es C. Godwin 49
Mrs. Lilburn T. Talley 52
Mrs. Henley L. Guild 66
Mrs. W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr. 72
Mrs. H. Gordon Leggett, Jr. 83

THE MEMBER CLUBS

Albemarle Garden Club 90
The Garden Club of Alexandria 92
The Ashland Garden Club 94
The Augusta Garden Club 96
The Blue Ridge Garden Club 98
The Boxwood Garden Club 99

xi
 Follow the Green Arrow

The Brunswick Garden Club 102

The Charlottesville Garden Club 103
Chatham Garden Club 105
The Garden Club of Danville 107
Dolley Madison Garden Club 108
Garden Club of the Eastern Shore 110
The Elizabeth River Garden Club 112
The Garden Club of Fairfax 114
Fauquier and Loudoun Garden Club 116
The Franklin Garden Club 119
Gabriella Garden Club 122
The Garden Study Club 123
The Garden Club of Gloucester 125
Hampton Roads Garden Club 127
Harborfront Garden Club 129
Hillside Garden Club 130
The Hunting Creek Garden Club 132
The Huntington Garden Club 134
The Jam es River Garden Club 137
Leesburg Garden Club 140
The Little Garden Club of Winchester 142
The Lynchburg Garden Club 144
The Martinsville Garden Club 147
The Mill Mountain Garden Club 148
The Nansemond River Garden Club 150
The Garden Club of Norfolk 152
The Garden Club of the Northern Neck 154
The Petersburg Garden Club 156
The Princess Anne Garden Club 158
The Rappahannock Valley Garden Club 160
Rivanna Garden Club 162
Roanoke Valley Garden Club 163
The Spotswood Garden Club 165
Three Chopt Garden Club 166
Tuckahoe Garden Club of Westhampton 168
The Virginia Beach Garden Club 169
The Garden Club of Warren County 173
The Warrenton Garden Club 175
The Williamsburg Garden Club 178
Winchester-Clarke Garden Club 180

APPENDIXES 183
 INTRODUCTION TO THE
GARDEN CLUB OF VIRGINIA

M 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 Federa-
tion. 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
 Follow the Green Arrow

the small four-year-old organization for help in restoring the grounds of the college and enclos-
ing the old brick buildings with a brick wall. He also asked The Club to help to buy a line of
trees along the Jamestown Road which were to be destroyed, if not moved. The trees were
saved by The Club, but the brick wall was too expensive an undertaking for the small organiza-
tion. A member, Mrs. George Blow, agreed to finance the construction of the wall and The
Garden Club of Virginia assumed the responsibility oflandscaping the grounds.
The planting of the grounds had just begun when The GCV was advised that the landscap-
ing would be taken over by The Rockefeller Foundation. Although The Club did not complete
the project, its willingness to do so may have sparked The Foundation's interest in the restora-
tion ofWilliamsburg as it is today.
The Board of Governors of The Garden Club of Virginia met in Fredericksburg on Octo-
ber 14, 1928. Mrs. Thomas S. Wheelwright, Chairman of the Kenmore Committee, reviewed
the history of the keen interest of The Garden Club of Virginia in Kenmore, the home of Col.
Fielding Lewis and his wife, Betty, only sister of George Washington. The Committee believed
a picture of life in the past was not complete with the restoration of the buildings alone, but
would be a vivid one if the grounds were restored as well.
The Committee felt the means for the planting of the grounds at Kenmore could be raised
by inviting friends to a springtime tour of a few homes and gardens and charging a small admis-
sion fee. The plan for the tour was approved.
At a meeting of the Board of Governors of The Garden Club of Virginia in Winchester on
June 29, 1929, Mrs. Wheelwright reported the tour had been unbelievably successful. The
proceeds totaled $14,000 and the restoration of the grounds at Kenmore was assured.
At the meeting the next day, Mrs. William Massie moved and Mrs. Kenneth Gilpin sec-
onded the motion that "The Garden Club of Virginia would be sympathetic to appeals for the
restoration of historic gardens."
The members had captured the true spirit of preservation, and since that time The Garden
Club of Virginia has been inseparably involved in the history of historic gardens in Virginia.
The Club's restoration projects for 75 years have preserved for this and future generations the
beauty of Virginia's historic gardens.
The goal of The Garden Club of Virginia could not be more aptly expressed than it is in
Daniel Webster's simple inscription in the House of Representatives in our nation's capital,
"Let us develop the resources of our land, call forth its powers, build up its institutions, provide
for its great interest and see whether we in our day and generation may not perform something
worthy to be remembered." The last phrase, "perform something worthy to be remembered,"
has been the hallmark for 75 years of The Garden Club of Virginia.

Mrs.John Robert Massie, Jr.

2
 THE GARDEN CLUB OF VIRGINIA PRESIDENTS
1970-1980
T
he Garden Club of Virginia moved
into the 1970s with exciting plans for
the future. The James River Garden
Club welcomed The Garden Club of Virginia
to Richmond in 1970 where it all began fifty
years ago. Mrs. Lucius]. Kellam (Dot) opened
the meeting with her special heart-warming
grace. Much had been accomplished under
her fine leadership for two years (1968-1970).
Her skill in coordinating the activities of this
statewide organization resulted in its contin-
ued growth and unique contributions.
The GCV Calendar was adjusted to show
The Garden Club of Virginia's 50th Anniver-
sary. The GCV Board of Governors' Meet-
ing took place in Martinsville on October 14
and 15, 1970.
Mrs. George H. Flowers, Jr. (Mary
Frances), The GCV President, announced
Mr. Lewis F. Powell, Jr., The GCV attorney,
had reported The Garden Club of Virginia
was tax-exempt under 50l(c)4 of the Internal
Revenue Code as a social welfare organiza-
tion and recommended thatThe Garden Club
of Virginia amend the charter to qualify un-
der 50l(c)(3) making gifts and expenses deduct-
ible. The club would not be able to lobby for
legislation or support candidates for office.
Money or property willed to the club would
be exempt from estate taxes. Members' club
dues and expenses would qualify for deduc-
tion though expenses incurred by an owner in
preparing for Historic Garden Week would
not be allowed.
After fifty years of moving files and infor-
3
mation from one place to another, Mrs. Flow-
ers echoed Mrs. Kellam's belief that The Gar-
den Club of Virginia needed a "home" of its
own.
The first issue of "Conservation Head-
lines" 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 Li-
brary 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' constitu-
tional memberships and dues to the member
clubs.
The Garden Club of Virginia was nomi-
nated 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, an-
nounced with real regret that Mrs. Irving L.
Matthews, after twenty-five years as Execu-
tive Director of Historic Garden Week, had
resigned because of ill health. Mrs. Richard
B. Williams (Ginny) had been appointed Sec-
 Follow the Green Arrow
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 Presi-
dents 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 an-
tiquities.
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 re-
ceived 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 ser-
vice 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 Preserva-
tion awarded the David E. Finley Award to
4
The Garden Club ofVrrginia in 1979 for out-
standing achievement in historic preservation
in the United States.
The Garden Club of Virginia was pre-
sented the Society of American Travel Writers
Award in 1979 as "The Garden Club of Vrr-
ginia had helped preserve a sense of stability in
an increasingly transient society."
The Common Wealth Fund was estab-
lished in 1979 to provide an annual grant or
grants, when merited, and to promote projects
in the areas of conservation, beautification,
horticulture, preservation and education.
These projects could be sponsored by a Com-
mittee or a member club of The GCv:
Mrs. James Bland Martin (Teen) took a
step back in time to "write it down" for The
Garden Club of Vrrginia in 1970. Fo/Jow the
Green Arrow traces the life of a statewide orga-
nization from its founding in 1920 to its 50-
year anniversary in 1970. It is a rich story of
the accomplishments of The Garden Club of
Vrrginia during this time. Mrs. Powell Glass,
President ofThe Garden Club ofVrrginia dur-
ing the war years, 1942-1944, wrote "Perhaps
the strength of The Garden Club of Vrrginia
lies essentially in the appreciation each one
gratefully attaches to the contribution of oth-
ers." This is brought out in every page in Mrs.
Martin's Fo/Jow the Green Arrow.
Mrs. Wyatt Aiken Williams (Dorothy
Hunt Williams) captured the beauty in word
and picture of the first 23 restorations of The
Garden Club of Vrrginia in her scholarly His-
toric Virginia Gardens, published by The Gar-
den Club of Virginia in 197 5. A valuable
source of garden information, Mrs. Williams
lists the plants, trees, shrubs, flowers, and sup-
plies working designs and sketches of fences
and gates in each garden. With each restora-
tion, Mrs. Williams added its historic impor-
tance which makes these gardens unmatchable
anywhere else.
MRS. LUCIUS J. KELLAM
President
The Garden Club of Virginia
1968-1970
In the beginning, there were eight gar-
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents
den clubs that came together in 1920 to form
The Garden Club of Virginia. They were
Albemarle, Augusta, Danville, Dolley Madi-
son, Fauquier and Loudoun, James River,
Norfolk and Warrenton. It was due to the
vision and forethought of The James River
Garden Club that these clubs were so pleas-
antly brought together in Richmond and
formed into a federation. Mrs. Thomas S.
Wheelwright, President of The James River
Garden Club, invited each club to send its
president and one delegate to a conference on
May 13, 1920.
The following program was planned:
9:30 (prompt) Start from the Jefferson
Hotel in autos to visit gardens at
Meadowbrook, Minnaborya and Norcroft.
1:30 p.m. Luncheon at Country Club of
Virginia (subscription).
4:00 p.m. Drive and visit Tuckahoe Plan-
tation in Goochland County.
6:00 - 8:00 Buffet supper at Hillcrest.
On May 19, 1970, forty-four member
clubs of The Garden Club of Virginia sent
presidents and one delegate to Richmond for
an Annual Meeting to celebrate the Fiftieth
Anniversary of The GCV as guests of The
James River Garden Club.
The following program was planned:
2 p.m. Registration and Horticultural ex-
hibits, Roof Garden, John Marshall Hotel.
3 p.m. Board of Directors' Meeting in
Byrd Room, John Marshall Hotel. Cocktails,
Virginia House, guests of the Boxwood Gar-
den Club. Dinner in private homes.
May 20, 1970:
9:30 a.m. Business Meeting Roof Gar-
den, Luncheon at Shooter's Hill, guests of the
Tuckahoe Garden Club of Westhampton, visit
to Tuckahoe Plantation for designation as a
Registered National Historic Landmark, an-
nual banquet at the Virginia Museum of Fine
Arts.
May 21, 1970:
9:30 a.m. Business meeting Roof Garden,
Luncheon at Windsor, guests of Miller and
Rhoads.
There was an air of rare excitement as the
delegates arrived at the John Marshall Hotel
Tuesday, May 19, 1970. This was a very spe-
5
cial meeting and all felt privileged to attend
this anniversary meeting. They were greeted
by James River Garden Club members clad
in yellow smocks. Each received a dogwood
tree and a tote bag adorned with the logo in
needlepoint, the work of club members.
The Board of Directors met for its final
meeting with Mrs. Lucius}. Kellam as Presi-
dent. The members had a preview of busi-
ness to be brought to the organization later.
The proceeds from Historic Garden Week in
1970 were $91,794, an increase of nearly
$5,500 over 1969. This deep secret was un-
der wraps until announced in the business
meeting. Mrs. George H . Flowers, Jr., an-
nounced the disbanding of the Associated
Clubs of Virginia due to lack of interest, dif-
ference of objectives, and lack of success in
procuring officers. She reported that the Con-
servation and Beautification Committees
would be combined and the Chairman would
be a member of the Board of Directors.
A cocktail party at Virginia House as
guests of The Boxwood Garden Club began
the gala evening. Dinners were held in the
homes of members of The James River Gar-
den Club. Mrs.James W. Rawles entertained
the Board of Directors, the Directors-at-Large
and the Past Presidents. Other dinner host-
esses were Mrs. Robert M. Jeffress, Mrs.
Samuel M. Bemiss, Mrs. John Lee McElroy,
Mrs. Edward C. Anderson, Mrs. Thomas P.
Bryan, Jr., Mrs. Fred G. Pollard, Mrs. Leslie
Cheek, Jr., Mrs. H. Coleman Baskerville, and
Mrs. Zack Toms.
Following dinner, Mrs. Kellam invited the
Past Presidents, Mrs. Herbert McK. Smith,
Mrs. W. Allan Perkins, Mrs. Powell Glass,
Mrs. Frank]. Gilliam, Mrs. W.W. S. Butler,
Mrs. Arthur B. Collins, Mrs. Thomas E.
Thorne, Mrs. R Whitney Godwin, Mrs.James
Gordon Smith, Mrs. Burdette S. Wright, Mrs.
James Bland Martin and Mrs. Wyatt Aiken
Williams, to her suite for nightcaps served by
the ladies-in-waiting, Lee Cochran and Betsy
Varner. Here they were to receive the first
numbered copies of Follow the Green Arrow.
There was delight, chatter, and much
autographing of books.
On Wednesday, May 20, 1970, at 9:30
 Follow the Green Arrow
a.m., the meeting was called to order by Mrs.
Kellam. The meeting was presented to Mrs.
Henry A. Converse, President of The James
River Garden Club. Mrs. Converse welcomed
the members with grace and the words: "It is
a privilege to be host at this 50th anniversary
meeting. We hope you will come in 2020."
In her final report, Mrs. Kellam summa-
rized happenings in the past two years:
Mrs. Harry Carter Stuart, mother of Lee
Cochran, was made a Member-at-Large of
TheGCV.
The Garden Club ofThe Northern Neck
became the 44th member club of The GCV.
Mrs. Irving Matthews retired as Execu-
tive Director of Historic Garden Week. The
GCV was indeed fortunate to have had Mrs.
Matthews serve in this position since 1946.
Minutes of the Annual and Board of Gov-
ernors' Meetings were taken now on machine
instead of by a court stenographer.
The Board of Directors met now at 3:00
p.m. the first day of the Meetings instead of
9:30 p.m. (or later) after dinner that first night.
Horticultural workshops were held by
Mrs. D. H. Patteson-Knight.
A committee, with Mrs. Thomas W.
Murrell, Jr. as chairman, was appointed to find
a house for headquarters for The GCV and
an office for Historic Garden Week.
Follow the Green Arrow, a history of the
first fifty years of The GCV was researched,
written, and published by Teen Martin.
Mrs.Jam es Bland Martin reported: "This
book will be an important tool of future Chair-
men and Officers. It is full of guidelines and
precedent. It is a reference book, it is a social
history of Virginia, but perhaps most of all, it
is a memory book chock full of memories,
beautiful, amusing, sad memorials. It is us on
paper." She reported that she also had writ-
ten of the Great Ladies of The GCV, cutting
them off at 1960. This may never be printed,
but will be special information in the files.
Mrs. Spotswood B. Hall, Jr., Historic
Garden Week Chairman, reported record re-
ceipts amounted to $91,794.
Mrs. Patteson-Knight presented horticul-
ture awards to Mrs. Hamilton Baskerville,
Mrs. Frank McGovern, Mrs. John M. Clark,
6
Mrs. W. Hugh Peal, Mrs. Elias Richards, Jr.,
Mrs. Landon Hilliard, Mrs. William Weedon,
Mrs. Alexander Hamilton, Jr., and Mrs. Henry
]. Richardson.
The banquet at the Virginia Museum of
Fine Arts was a magical setting with great bou-
quets of spring blooms and elegant women in
ball gowns. Mrs. Arthur B. Collins in a pink
bouffant gown said a simple grace before the
feast. The twelve Past Presidents shared a
lively table. The deLacy Gray Medal was
awarded to Mrs. George H. Flowers, Jr. and
Mrs. William A. Johns. In making the award,
Mrs. Edwin B. Vaden, Conservation Chair-
man, noted that in 1967 the two began the
study of the James River, its Richmond banks,
and plans to beautify it for recreation. With
the help of the Richmond Jaycees and many
slides, they presented the program to over 60
groups, about 5,000 people.
Mrs. Kellam murmured quietly, "The
awarding of the Massie Medal has been post-
poned." Twelve Past Presidents frowned in
disapproval.
The evening program was held in another
section of the Museum where Mrs. Kellam and
the Past Presidents snuggled on a small stage
while Mrs. James Bland Martin (Teen) made
her debut as a playwright. With intricate light-
ing and slides the history was relived. Teen's
husband, who suffered the many months of
her authorship, was in attendance for the fi-
nis. Amid the applause, standing ovation and
confusion on stage, Mrs. Edward L. Alexander
pushed her way (in spite of Teen) to the mi-
crophone and announced the Massie Medal
had been awarded to Teen Martin for her dedi-
cation, her leadership, and her book Follow the
Green Arrow. It was an evening of jubilance.
The business meeting reconvened at 9:30
a.m. Thursday, May 21. Mrs. Kellam con-
gratulated Mrs. Martin on receiving the
Massie Medal and for her program. She con-
gratulated Mrs. Flowers and Mrs. Johns for
receiving the deLacy Gray Medal.
Mrs. Wyatt A. Williams, Restoration
Chairman, presented plans for the landscap-
ing of Scotchtown. Researched since 1968 by
archaeological studies, the site revealed no
evidence of a former garden. The research was
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents
done concurrently with the restoration of the
Mary Washington House in Fredericksburg.
She explained that the planting would be in-
formal with native trees and plants inside sur-
rounding fences. She moved and it was passed
that the landscaping of Scotchtown near
Ashland would be the next project of The
GCV.
The final business of the "Great Anniver-
sary" approached as the Nominating Commit-
tee with Mrs. Thomas E. Thorne, Chairman,
presented the slate ofofficers for 1970-1972.
Mrs. George H. Flowers, Jr., President; Mrs.
Leon Dure, First Vice President; Mrs. John
D. Varner, Treasurer; Mrs. Thomas W.
Murrell, Jr., Recording Secretary; Mrs. A. T
Embrey, Jr., Corresponding Secretary. Mrs.
Robert E. Latham and Mrs. Toy D. Savage,
Jr. were elected Directors-at-Large. The slate
was adopted. Mrs. Kellam presented the gavel
to Mrs. Flowers with reference to her bril- Mrs. George H. Flowers, Jr.
liance at Sweet Briar, "She didn't even have to
go to classes her senior year," and the com- things which I was responsible for orchestrat-
ment, "She was a Tarheel, a fishing addict, had ing into being during these two eventful years
a country home and six boats, four for sale." (1970-1972) in The Garden Club of Virginia.
With gavel in hand, Mrs. Flowers called The members of my Board of Directors de-
on Mrs. W. W. S. Butler, who thanked Mrs. serve great credit for their loyalty, support, and
Kellam for her leadership, and the meeting direction in all that was accomplished.
was adjourned. The group, as guests of Miller 1 - Parts of the Constitution and Bylaws
and Rhoads, was served lunch at Windsor. were changed so that The Club could apply
Editor's Note: Mrs. Kellam was awarded for and get tax-deductible status from The
the Massie Medal in 1990. Internal Revenue Service. Already the His-
toric Garden Week income was free of taxes
MRS. GEORGE H. FLOWERS, JR. (by act of U .S. Congress). But after we, with
President the guidance of Lewis F. Powell, Jr., changed
The Garden Club of Virginia only a few words in the Constitution and By-
1970-1972 laws, dues and any gifts or bequests became
tax deductible for the donor. The approval
What happened when I was President? I ruling was made by the IRS in December
learned to spell Fauquier and Loudoun, the 1970, a happy Christmas gift for The Garden
location of Hillside, Little, Huntington, Gar- Club of Virginia.
den Study, and Rivanna Garden Clubs. But 2 - The new tax status facilitated the ac-
what happened to The Garden Club of Vir- quisition by The Garden Club of Virginia of
ginia? Six great Flower Shows (beautiful, spec- its own historic landmark, The Kent-Valen-
tacular), two wonderful and profitable Historic tine House at 12 East Franklin Street in the
Garden Weeks, four exciting statewide meet- heart of downtown Richmond, to be used as
ings, many visits among the clubs, and a new its headquarters.
Honorary Member, Mr. Ralph Griswold, all 3 - Two endowment funds for the benefit
to be mentioned in glowing terms. of the headquarters were set up and immedi-
However, history will need to record three ately began to grow. Also helping The Club's

7
 Follow the Green Arrow
Mrs. Douglas G. Lindsey, Mrs. Flowers and Mrs.
Thomas R. Nelson, 1970 Board of Governors'
Meeting, Martinsville.
finances, the Virginia General Assembly
passed unanimously, after strategic prodding,
a bill exempting The GCV from property tax
on the Kent-Valentine House (March 1972).
How did all this happen? In May 1971 at
the Annual Meeting in Charlottesville, The
GCV voted to purchase an historic house in
Richmond to be used as its headquarters. Why
an old house? The Club's attorney, then,
Lewis F. Powell, Jr., had advised that a proper
use of Historic Garden Week income (The
Club's only source then) would be for pur-
chase, restoration, and preservation of an old
property for headquarters but not a new one.
Two major needs were to relocate the His-
toric Garden Week office and to get The GCV
records centralized (and not under the
President's bed).
Mrs. William T. Reed, Jr. (Mary Ross)
came to me in June and offered to buy the
Kent-Valentine House for The GCV in an
arrangement whereby it could then repay Mrs.
Reed gradually. The Valentine family owners
would sell only to The GCV and no one else
at a reduced price of $150,000 and then only
with a scenic (historic) easement attached.
8
The member club presidents were invited to
see the Kent-Valentine House when they came
to the Rose Show in Richmond in early Octo-
ber 1971.
The Kent-Valentine House (1845) is a
Virginia Historic Landmark and on The Na-
tional Register of Historic Places.
Some of the good financial heads in The
GCV got together and figured out a method
of buying the house by borrowing the money
from Mrs. Reed and repaying it with Historic
Garden Week proceeds of six years at $2 5,000
a year without interest. The Restoration
Committee proposed to the membership that
it would finance necessary restoration of the
house and grounds as a project.
This all enabled the Directors to propose
for a subsequently approving vote at the Board
of Governors' Meeting in Franklin in Octo-
ber 1971 that the Kent-Valentine House be
acquired as the headquarters of The Garden
Club of Virginia for $150,000, $25,000 a year
to be repaid to Mrs. Reed for 6 years from
Historic Garden Week proceeds. Further, two
funds were established: The Kent-Valentine
House Endowment Fund and The Presidents
of The GCV Fund. The income from the
former would become the support (or part of)
of the yearly operating budget of the Kent-
Valentine House. The latter fund, to be given
by, in honor of, or in memory of Presidents of
The Garden Club of Virginia, would be used
to support special projects or acquisitions for
the Kent-Valentine House. (The first gift to
this fund was made by the Honorary Presi-
dent, Mrs. Herbert McKelden Smith). The
headquarters would be supported by Historic
Garden Week donations until the Kent-Val-
entine House Endowment Fund became large
enough to carry it.
That Board of Governors' Meeting was a
joyful one for most of us, but many had genu-
ine reservations about the wisdom of our acts.
The purchase was an act of faith in historic
preservation and in the future of The GCV.
In being the catalyst, in being the one to make
a hard choice to fight to get the Kent-Valen-
tine House, my future in The GCV was de-
cided. It was up to me to make it work. I
have done so up to the present.
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents

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.

By December 1971 the legal wrinkles
were ironed out and in January 1972 actual
deed to the property belonged to The GCV
with a historic easement attached, the first in
Virginia. The Club promised to keep the
house and grounds in good condition, not to
change the first floor rooms or alter the exte-
rior facade, to open it to the public at least
once a year, to carry adequate insurance, and
always to have two magnolia trees growing in
the front yard.
History includes credits also to many who
worked hard on the headquarters project while
I was President. Much is owed to Mrs.James
0. Burke (Alice) who headed a house-hunt-
ing committee and served on the Renovation
Committee. Extra special credit goes to Mrs.
Spotswood B. Hall, Jr. (Katie) who was chair-
man of the Renovation Committee. The
members who worked with her were Mes-
dames Benjamin Parrott, Jr. (Mary Wise),
9
Robert Massie, Jr. (Charlotte), Wyatt A. Wil-
liams (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 de-
tails and especially in winning over the Vir-
ginia 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.
 Follow the Green Arrow

MRS. GEORGE MOFFETT COCHRAN

President
The Garden Club of Virginia
1972-1974

Mary Frances Flowers (Mrs. George H.

Flowers, Jr.) was a tough act to follow. Dur-
ing her term as President she led (or pushed),
when necessary, The Garden Club ofVrrginia
through two of its most productive years. Al-
most single-handedly she engineered the pur-
chase and restoration of the Kent-Valentine
House. She started us all on a brave new road
and in the process revitalized the entire mem-
bership. Just before she ended her term, Mary
Frances told the 1972 Annual Meeting in Al-
exandria what Dot Kellam (Mrs. Lucius J.
Kellam) had said about her two years earlier.

Mr. Granville G. Valentine, Jr., presents the Kent-

Valentine 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 pro-
gressing 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 Mrs. Cochran with her mother, Mrs. Harry Carter
of The GCV Annual Meeting May 1972 with Stuart, Member-at-Large ofThe Garden Club of
a happy fulfilled feeling. Virginia.
Editor's Note: Mrs. Flowers was awarded
the Massie Medal in 1974. In 1987, Mrs. It was reported that in 1970 Mary Frances
Flowers became Honorary President of The owned seven boats and wanted to sell six of
Garden Club of Virginia. them. She happily announced to one and all

IO
 The Gardm Club of Virgina Presidmts
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. "Through-
out sixteen productive years on the Board, she
brought to every problem keen intelligence
and foresight. The 1974 Massie Medal is pre-
sented to one who, crowning a lifetime of ser-
vice, became the guiding spirit of the Kent-
Valentine House - Mary Frances Flowers."
However, in one way my two-year pro-
gram 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
11
Photograph courtesy of The Richmond News Leader
as. I presented the handsome trophies to the
wmners.
Being President gave me my first chance
to be a part of The GCV Restoration Com-
mittee. It was an awesome group and I was
definitely awed! In June Emily Smith, assisted
by her daughter-in-law, Anne (Mrs. McKelden
Smith), invited the committee to begin one of
its tours in Staunton. The committee mem-
bers and my Board were entertained at a lovely
luncheon at Waverley Hill. Emily was always
my mentor, sponsor, and very dear friend. I
owe so much to my years of observing and
sometimes helping the most remarkable lady
I have ever known. That she was made Hon-
orary President of The Garden Club of Vir-
ginia in 1963 shows that others appreciated
her too. Twenty years after her death hardly
a day goes by that I am not reminded of her. I
still miss her unfailing vision, enthusiasm, and
good advice.
Dot Kellam was the able Chairman of the
Restoration Committee and Mr. Ralph
Griswold, the landscape architect for The
 Follow the Green Arrow

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 from under their beds.
about their business with assurance, knowl- Mine was the best of all possible Boards.
edge, good taste and good humor. And they The members were not only efficient and en-
accomplished a great deal. ergetic - they were fun. Our first gathering,
The move into the Kent-Valentine House the Summer Board Meeting, was at Nags
was also begun during the summer of 1972. Head as guests of Mary Frances Flowers. It
Katie Hall (Mrs. Spotswood B. Hall, Jr.) and was a perfect setting for our shakedown cruise.
her committee, including my mother (Mrs. Jane and Tommy Murrell, Dot and Luke
Harry C. Stuart), saw to it that we had a taste- Kellam, Betsy and Cacti Varner and George
fully decorated and arranged home from the and I all stayed at the Buchanan Cottage.
first day. Charlotte Massie (Mrs. J. Robert Others were at nearby inns so we could easily
Massie, Jr.) and Ginny Williams (Mrs. Rich- assemble for fabulous food and sun and surf.
ard B. Williams) set up shop to run Historic I am sure we did some business, but my memo-
Garden Week, and Mary Frances Flowers ries are of the pleasure of the house party.
began her term as the first Chairman of the By fall and The GCV Board of Gover-
newly formed Kent-Valentine House Com- nors' Meeting in Winchester we were a good
mittee. All committee members were anxious team. Dot Kellam was the hard-working Res-
to see and use their own headquarters, and toration Chairman. Sue Neal (Mrs. Alexander
chairmen were eager to relocate their files W Neal, Jr.) was preparing for the 40th His-

12
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents

toric Garden Week. Jean Printz had success-

fully edited the first Register and Betsy Varner
(Mrs. John D. Varner) and Mary Stuart
Gilliam (Mrs. McCluer Gilliam) had our fi-
nances in good shape. Lula Hopkins (Mrs.
Robert L. Hopkins, Jr.) was valiantly trying
to publicize our good works while Martha
Embrey (Mrs. A. Thomas Embrey, Jr.) was
keeping The JOURNAL running smoothly.
Misty Seipp (Mrs. William Seipp) was an in-
spired Horticulture Chairman. She began
early to plan exhibits for each meeting that
would educate as well as add beauty to meet-
ing rooms. Her climactic finale at the Boar's
Head Inn was to revive the Philadelphia
Flower Show.
As Chairman of the Conservation Com-
mittee, Dot Montgomery (Mrs. James B.
Montgomery) began a new approach by work-
ing to get a meaningful program on environ-
mental education into the public school sys-
tem and thereby address a bad problem at its
source. Bunny Vaden (Mrs. Edwin B. Vaden)
was busy sending out schedules and other cor-
respondence while Virginia Perry (Mrs. W. J.
Perry) wrestled with the pre-tape recorder
minutes. Each Director was made a liaison to
committees not represented on the Board.
Jane Murrell (Mrs. Thomas W. Murrell, Jr.) Helen Murphy says she finds her time in Rich-
was First Vice President and Jo Ray (Mrs. mond with Legislative husband, Tayloe, most
James W. Ray, Jr.) Second Vice President. helpful. We both lacked the private airplane
They called themselves "Lee's Lieutenants!" that got Dot Kellam around the state!
While we were in Winchester we were Members of the Court and members of
royally entertained. The first night we had the various committees of The GCV formed
cocktails at Amber Hill, the home of Mr. and fast friendships and Rudy Favretti became a
Mrs. George Smith, and dinner at the Way- regular at almost every term of Court. The
side Inn with Emily and Sloan Kuykendall. first night I invited him to have dinner with
We visited the Burwell-Morgan Mill to see a the "Supremes" he thought I meant the sing-
restoration in progress, were wined at Glen ing group!
Burnie, and dined at the Wmchester Country One of my most memorable luncheons at
Club. The meeting ended with a picnic lun- the Kent-Valentine House was in December
cheon at Belle Grove. 1972 when I invited all the Past Presidents of
As the business of The GCV became The Garden Club of Virginia to see their new
more routine at the Kent-Valentine House, I house. Thirteen got there, some for the last
spent more and more time there. George's time. Their pleasure and pride was something
Court (The Supreme Court of Virginia) met I will never forget.
in Richmond for about two weeks out of ev- Another personality from our early days
ery six. I tried to schedule all sorts of Garden was Jack Gregory. This stately older gentle-
Club activities to take advantage of what was man kept the house and grounds in pristine
for me otherwise wasted time. Even today condition. For meeting days and other offi-

13
 Follow the Green Arrow
cial gatherings he was resplendent in his white
coat. His blessings for the "nice Ladies" were
legendary, and we all felt more secure on our
homeward ways after Jack's obvious familiar-
ity with the Lord.
However, in spite of my Court time in
Richmond, I was on the road a lot. I figured I
drove about 1,000 miles a month as I visited
Flower Shows, restorations, and member clubs
across the State. Club members were univer-
sally interested in hearing of our new head-
quarters and many were expressing this inter-
est financially. In addition to a wealth of gifts
in kind, by the end of 1972 we had over
$14,000 toward our endowment goal of
$150,000.
At the mid-winter Board Meeting in Rich-
mond in January 1973, The Garden Club of
Virginia took its first public stand against pro-
posed plans to expand the State Capitol. The
newly-unveiled plan was for a six-story ter-
raced addition on the south of the Capitol
building. We quickly passed a resolution de-
crying any such desecration. This particular
scheme was soon abandoned, but it was a har-
binger of things to come.
The Lynchburg Garden Club celebrated
its 50th Anniversary by sponsoring the An-
nual Meeting of The GCV in 1973. And quite
a meeting it was! Events were planned at
members' homes, Sweet Briar, Randolph-Ma-
con Woman's College, and the Fine Arts Cen-
ter.
The whole three days' events inspired
Jane Murrell to verse for her "thank yous."
In part:
"Relax, dear ladies, to breakfast in
bed.
The sincerest words that can be said:
There's no place nicer than the Hill
City;
No hostesses better or as pretty.
We loved each moment, thought,
You were dears,
And you don't have to do it
again for years."
However, before these gracious words
were spoken, there were several matters of im-
portance for the business sessions. It was an-
nounced that Ellen Wallinger (Mrs. Melvin
14
Wallinger; Mrs. Charles A. Rueger) had
agreed to become chairman of the newly
formed Kent-Valentine Library Committee.
Newly named United States Supreme Court
Justice Lewis F. Powell, Jr., was enthusiasti-
cally elected to Honorary Membership in an
attempt to convey our thanks for his guidance
as counsel of The Garden Club of Virginia
for 20 years and our pride at his most recent
honor.
Grace Battle (Mrs.John S. Battle, Jr.) re-
ported another record-breaking Garden Week
grossing $119,971.34. Amine Kellam (Mrs.
E. Polk Kellam) was awarded the deLacy Gray
Memorial for Conservation and Elizabeth
Jeffress (Mrs. RobertM.Jeffress) received the
Massie Medal. Jo Ray resigned as Second Vice
President to marry her Prince Charming and
to move to Vermont to begin her new life as a
doctor's wife. We quickly elected Hunter Sav-
age (Mrs. Toy D. Savage,Jr.)whowas just fin-
ishing her term as Director. Dot Montgom-
ery gave an optimistic report on her efforts to
push environmental education in the public
schools. She also reported on the continuing
fight against billboards. Dot Kellam reported
the Restoration Committee had inherited two
approved projects: The Burwell-Morgan Mill
and the Kent-Valentine House. One had yet
to sign contracts, the other still required de-
cisions. Kenmore requested approval of a lo-
cation near the mansion for a new building.
Both committee members and neighbors dis-
approved plans. Dot said, "Many historic
shrines are prepared for the Bicentennial cel-
ebration in 197 6. One plans to rebuild a newly
located kitchen, another plans an information
center, another a kitchen garden. The Resto-
ration Committee plans to return to each re-
stored garden with suggestions and the money
required to have the gardens perfect for 197 6.
This is the restoration project for 1973-1974."
Rosalie Bell (Mrs. Stewart Bell, Jr.) and
Wisey Bullington (Mrs. N . W. Bullington,Jr.)
were elected Directors-at-Large to succeed
Ella Latham (Mrs. Robert E. Latham) and
Hunter Savage.
Since there was growing concern that we
were losing the involvement of the bright,
young potential members, a new statewide
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents

organization had been

formed. Spurred on by
Virginia Gunnell (Mrs.
Bruce C. Gunnell) and
Lib Kerr (Mrs. John Y.
Kerr), both of The Gar-
den Club of Alexandria,
the Club decided to pro-
mote the first Annual
Meeting of The Garden
Club ofVirginiaJunior-
Provisional members.
Held in Alexandria in
May 1973, it was a won-
derful success, and plans
were made for the sec-
ond meeting to be held
in Roanoke in May
1974. Cutting the Kent-Valentine House ribbon, October 9, 1972: Mrs. George
The Lily Show in H. Flowers, Jr., Mrs. William T. Reed, Jr., Mrs. Cochran, the Rev. W. Holt
Lexington, sponsored by
Souder, and Mrs. Lucius J. Kellam.
the Blue Ridge Garden
Club, inJune was splen-
did. The handsome wall hanging of The Gar- Parks, the Chairman Emeritus of the National
den Club ofVrrginia seal, which we still use at Trust, the President of the National Parks
meetings today, was created by Mrs. Malcolm Conservation Association, the Executive Di-
Campbell, Jr. (Gillie; Mrs. C. C. Tutwiler, Jr.) rector of the National Trust and Senator
for this show. Harry F. Byrd, Jr., our speaker, all of whom
July 7 found the Restoration Committee made this a day to remember. We presented
on the Eastern Shore with husbands. The a "setting" for this ancient mill and in so do-
members worked, the men fished. George ing added another dimension to our planting
called it "the land of pleasant living." July was of historic grounds.
further highlighted by the Summer Board On October 9th at 2 p.m. we gathered at
Meeting of The GCV in Charlottesville. All our new headquarters, the Kent-Valentine
hands were present for a lovely dinner party House, to celebrate our success in saving this
at Wilton, handsome home ofJ ean and "Uncle fine old house. Junius R. Fishburne, Jr., Ex-
Walter" Schuyler. Cacti and Betsy Varner had ecutive Director of the Virginia Historic
the group to lunch at the Boar's Head Inn on Landmarks Commission, gave the history of
Saturday and then we all went back to Wilton the house, and Stanley W. Abbott, Chairman
to enjoy a relaxing evening and poolside sup- of the Commission, congratulated The GCV
per. for preserving this important piece of Rich-
The Restoration Committee, accompa- mond history. The Rev. W. Holt Souder
nied by husbands, met September 23 in blessed the house and Mrs. William T. Reed,
Berryville as guests of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Jr. (Mary Ross), the godmother of the house,
E. Byrd before the presentation of the who lent purchase money interest-free, cut the
Burwell-Morgan Mill landscaping. We were ribbon. We were officially home!
joined by an impressive array of dignitaries, The housewarming was planned to be the
including the Director of the National Park opening event of The GCV Board of Gover-
Service, the Keeper of the National Register, nors' Meeting in Richmond. The Tuckahoe
the head of Historic Preservation of National Garden Club of Westhampton had the respon-

15
 Follow the Green Arrow
sibility for this gathering which met at the John
Marshall Hotel. First Lady of Virginia, Jinks
Holton (Mrs. Linwood Holton), gave us the
thrill of lunch at the Executive Mansion fol-
lowed by a tour of the John Marshall House
and the Valentine Museum. While in that
section of the city, club presidents were made
aware of the intrusive plan to ruin Capitol
Square by enlarging the Capitol building un-
derground. Word of this threat was just be-
ginning to be generally known. In anticipa-
tion of Governor Holton's presence at The
GCV annual dinner at the Country Club of
Virginia, a plan was hatched. Teen Martin
(Mrs. James B. Martin) called it "Operation
Devious." Mr. Griswold was asked to prepare
a plat of the existing trees in Capitol Square.
Additionally, The James River Garden Club
was asked to mark each major tree with the
proper American Horticultural Society label.
The presentation of this gift to the Governor
was to be the coup of the evening. Douglas
Durden wrote in the Richmond Times Dis-
patch, "Governor Linwood Holton may have
given the speech for The Garden Club of
Virginia's Board of Governors last night, but
The Garden Club gave the surprise." The
article continues - "In her speech to the Gov-
ernor, Mrs. Cochran said The Club believes
it would be harder to destroy forever a tree
that you know by its proper name. So please
hear tonight our assembled and gentle voices.
Governor, governor spare these trees." The
Richmond papers loved it, and we felt we had
focused attention on a dangerous idea favored
by some of our most influential legislators.
However, the battle was far from over, and
success was by no means assured.
Twenty years later it is hard to imagine
that a plan so flawed could have been so seri-
ously considered. There are only a few del-
egates who know how perilously close we came
to having both the Senate and the House
Chambers moved underground and the Capi-
tol building reduced to a museum of bygone
days. The Garden Club of Virginia can take
pride in its leadership role in defeating this
idea, but we could not have done it without
lots of outside help.
Two stalwarts in the development of a
16
concerted and organized plan of attack were
the late Harrison Mann, a former member of
the House of Delegates, and State Senator
William Parkerson. They met with us, ad-
vised us, helped define like-minded people,
and generally provided some much needed
muscle. In addition we had the support of
several other statewide organizations and a
number of strong individuals. In November
1973, we had an impressive group - The
APVA, the Virginia Historic Landmarks Com-
mission, the Federation of Garden Clubs, sev-
eral architects, and many historic preservation-
ists. George told me I could not appear be-
fore any Legislative Committee. He felt that
his position on the Court made it "inappro-
priate" for me to be publicly in front. That
meant that Dot Montgomery as Conservation
Chairman was the spokeswoman for The Gar-
den Club of Virginia. We could not have done
better.
I wrote letters. My files are filled with
pleas for help from every conceivable source.
Lots of luncheons were given for assorted
groups at the Kent-Valentine House, and we
tried hard to have our own club members do
their informed best with any contacts they
might have. Another powerful ally was Del-
egate Philip Morris. He saw to it that we were
kept informed about all Legislative hearings
and parliamentary maneuvers. But the citi-
zen who deserves a lion's share of the credit
for success is Lawrence Lewis. He realized
that a group of prominent businessmen could
make more impression on the General Assem-
bly than all of the women's organizations rolled
into one. He offered his help and it was readily
accepted.
In January 1974 a meeting was called by
Lawrence in the Board Room of that famous
bastion of male privacy, the Commonwealth
Club in Richmond. After lookouts reported
no one in sight, I was smuggled into this sanc-
tum sanctorum. Remarkably, the sky did not
fall. There I met with Ed Hudgins, Powell
Harrison, Cliff Miller, Harvie Wilkinson,
Richmond Gray, Luke Kellam, Virginius
Dabney, Waller Barrett and Lawrence. Not
surprisingly, all of these men were Garden
Club of Virginia husbands. This powerful
 The Gardro Club of Virgina Presidrots
group decided to hire professional help to
print a brochure stating the case and to see
that it was delivered to each member of the
Legislature. A group of such impressive allies
gave our cause an influence that we had not
previously enjoyed.
Soon others were recruited from across
the State and the Save Capitol Square Com-
mittee was born. Almost immediately one
member wrote to Luke Kellam: "Several pro-
ponents of the North Lawn Proposal had
come to the conclusion that the only vocal
opposition was coming from the garden club
ladies. The fact that you and other promi-
nent businessmen have taken up the fight on
economic as well as aesthetic grounds has had
its effect on the Rules Committee of the
House."
The tide was beginning to turn.
On February 22nd Dot Montgomery
spoke at a Legislative hearing of "the irrepa-
rable damage" the Capitol expansion would
do to "the symbol of our rich Virginia heri-
tage."
She was followed by Mrs. Albert E. Mar-
tin for The Wayside Garden Club; Mrs. Jo-
seph A. Massie for several Winchester area
groups; Mrs. Cabell Mayo Tabb (Maria), for
the National Society of Colonial Dames in the
Commonwealth of Virginia; Mrs. Frances
Carr for The Vtrginia Federation of Garden
Clubs; William T. Reed III, for the Vtrginia
Conservation Council, and James A. Bear,
curator of Monticello. Opposition summary
was given by Lawrence Lewis.
On March 1 the House of Delegates
agreed not to expand the Capitol.
Delegate Lewis A. McMurran, one of the
chief proponents of the hated plan, was quoted
in the paper as saying "this plan has been hotly
opposed by garden clubs, historical groups,
and a newly organized Save Capitol Square
Committee. This opposition is enough to halt
any plans for the present."
We had finally won!
The Midwinter Meeting of the Board of
Directors was held at Wellington Headquar-
ters of the American Horticultural Society.
We were there through the courtesy of Francis
Patteson-Knight (Mrs. D. H. Patteson-
17
Knight). I can still remember driving up and
down the George Washington Parkway in the
pouring rain trying to find the entrance. We
finally made it but we were very late and very
wet. Naturally, most of our talk was about
Capitol Square.
We heard of the revision and reprinting
of the Flower Shows Handbook. Dawn Woltz
(Mrs. Charles K. Woltz), Francis Patteson-
Knight and Vtrginia Bowen (in absrotia) were
thanked for their hard work.
We began The GCV 54th Annual Meet-
ing in Charlottesville with a tribute to Ella
Smith (Mrs.James Gordon Smith). The Gar-
den Club of Virginia had lost one of its great-
est "Great Ladies." How she would have loved
all of the special events planned for our plea-
sure in her hometown! The Albemarle Gar-
den Club welcomed us at Monticello to begin
our three-day meeting. Dinner followed at
Flordon, the home of Norma and Francis
Brawley.
During the next day's business meeting
there were two special additions to the agenda.
Because of the gas shortage the March Con-
servation Forum had been cancelled. As a re-
sult we had the presentation of our first ever
Award for Meritorious Achievement in Con-
servation. This award had been established
to recognize a nonmember for outstanding
contribution. The presentation was made to
Union-Camp Corporation for its gift in 1971
to the Nature Conservancy of 50,000 acres of
the Dismal Swamp so that it could be pre-
served as a natural wilderness. Jack Ray, Presi-
dent and member of the Camp Family, re-
ceived the award.
We also heard from Harry Porter, Chair-
man of the Division of Landscape Architec-
ture at the University of Virginia (Mr.Porter
was later to become Dean of the School of
Architecture). He reported that the school
had grown from zero in 1969 (when he came
to the University) to a full complement of 80
students for the 1973-1974 session. He paid
tribute to The GCV in general and to Mrs.
James Gordon Smith in particular for help and
encouragement in creating this important pro-
gram.
Another departure from the usual was a
 Follow the Green Arrow
Mrs. Cochran and Mrs. John D. liarner arrive at Westover Farm
Horticultural Forum following the luncheon
at Morven. Misty Seipp had a blue ribbon
panel to inform and instruct: Mrs. Clifford
Fifield, Flower Show Chairman for The Gar-
den Club of America; Gordon Tyrrel, a gradu-
ate of the Royal School of Horticulture in
England, former Director of Horticulture at
Winterthur and currently at Callaway Gar-
dens; Sylvester March who was in charge of
all growing and propagation at the National
Arboretum in Washington. It was an oppor-
tunity for learning afforded to only a few.
Wednesday evening was one I will never
forget. At the appointed time and after all the
others had left by bus, Betsy Varner and I were
called for at the Boar's Head Inn with an open
carriage and two lovely horses. It was
Cinderella all over again. We were driven in
style to the Hunter Faulconers' Westover
Farm. Betsy and I were fearful we might be
18
an embarrassment to our University of Vir-
ginia sons. We created lots of excitement on
the road. As we rolled into the wide circular
drive all of The GCV ladies were waiting for
us under the large pillared portico. What a
thrill!
From the Faulconers we were driven on
to Farmington and a gala dinner. Bernard
Mayo, Professor Emeritus of history at the
University, was the banquet speaker in a room
breathtakingly beautiful with flowers galore.
The Massie Medal was presented to Mary
Frances Flowers and the deLacy Gray Medal
to Anne Fogler (Mrs. Mayor Farthing Fogler).
Both awards received enthusiastic acclaim
from one and all.
On Thursday, Charlotte Massie reported
on another perfect Historic Garden Week.
"As the checks rolled in we realized by some
kind of miracle we had topped last year." An-
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents

other all-time high of $134,870.34. Even in

spite of a lack of gas, we could celebrate an-
other banner year.
Dot Kellam reported on two years made
memorable by two completed restorations and
revisits to almost all previous projects. This
"spruce-up: revisitation" was to continue for
another year to make sure that all sites were
in the best condition for the coming National
Bicentennial in 197 6.
Only one major report remained. After
years of discussing the great need for such a
volume, Dottie Williams had agreed to un-
dertake the research and preparation of what
was to be Historic Virginia Gardens. The Res-
toration Committee agreed to provide fund-
ing. It was a laborious project in which she
was ably assisted by Ralph Griswold. Dottie
told The GCV 1974 Annual Meeting of her
aims and outlines of this special volume. I have
always felt pride that this unmatched contri-
bution to historic garden research and resto-
ration was begun on my watch.
And now my watch was over. Two won-
derful years filled with pleasant memories of
people, places and events. It was the most re-
warding experience of my life. Now all that
was left was to hand over the seal and gavel to
Betsy Varner with the certainty that she would
be more than equal to every challenge and that
The Garden Club of Virginia would continue
to enjoy success in its many fields of interest.
As Mary Frances had done for me, I, as
Retiring President, came home to plan Betsy's
Summer Board Meeting in Staunton with
Mother as co-hostess.
Editor's Note: Mrs. Cochran was awarded
the Massie Medal in 1980. George and Lee
Cochran were awarded the 1995 Outstand-
ing Virginian Award, the first couple to be so
honored.
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
Mrs. John D. i-tirner
knew we could easily have drifted along for
two years. However, a wonderful cooperative
Board aided me.
On receiving the gavel and seal at The
GCV Annual Meeting, I confessed: "Little did
I ever dream when I was a little girl as a host-
ess for Historic Garden Week at Mirador... that
the great honor of being President of The
Garden Club of Virginia would ever come my
way. I would like to thank my husband for so
generously agreeing to my serving the two-
year term. In fact, when I approached him on
the subject, he answered, 'I think it is your
duty.' So, there was no way out."
The Albemarle Garden Club sponsored
The GCV Annual Meeting in 1974. My
mother belonged to this club and was present
when I was installed as President. I was born
only 20 miles to the west.
The previous evening, Lee Cochran and
I arrived (in formal attire by carriage) at Polly
and Hunter Faulkner's Westover Farm for
cocktails. On the byways we were secretly
hoping our sons (students at WA) would no-
tice us passing!
During a two-year term of severe gas
shortage which hindered traveling from
Roanoke to various parts of the state and at a
time of great inflation in the economy, both
budgets and meetings were trimmed:

19
 Folkrw the Green Arrow
Mrs. Mirner with Mr. Richard Bale, conductor of
the National Gallery Orchestra, at the 1975 An-
nual Meeting.
l. The Register was printed every other
year with a supplement for alternate years.
2. Four pages were cut from The JOUR-
NAL.
3. The number of Registers ordered was
cut back and distributed from the Kent-Val-
entine 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 arrange-
ments.
In July 1974, The GCV Board of Direc-
tors 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
The GCV 38th Annual Rose Show, spon-
sored by the Wmchester-Clarke Garden Club
and assisted by the American Rose Society, was
held atthe Burwell-Morgan Mill (1782-1785)
in Millwood. Hunter Savage (Mrs. Toy D .
Savage, Jr.) filled in for me as I was out of the
country. Again, Roanoke Valley Garden Club
won Best in Show arrangement by Mrs. Harry
Yates.
The GCV 55th Board of Governors'
Meeting (1974) was sponsored by The Mill
Mountain Garden Club and held at the Hotel
Roanoke. Directors had dinner with Mr. and
Mrs. Benjamin F. Parrott (Mary Wise). Del-
egates were entertained at dinner in the homes
of Mr. and Mrs. Abney Boxley, Jr., Mr. and
Mrs. Frank Boxley, Mrs.John D. Carr, Judge
and Mrs. Dirk Kuyk, and Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur
Hazlegrove. Sally Fulton entertained at a lun-
cheon the next day with a tour afterwards of
the Kegley House, Monterey. The Roanoke
Youth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by
Gibson Morrissey, was outstanding entertain-
ment at the banquet. The Roanoke Valley
Garden Club had basket lunches the next day
at the home of the Thomas Rutherfoords.
The February Board of Directors meet-
ing was held a week late due to bad weather.
Mrs. Robert L. Hopkins, Jr. and Mrs. McCluer
Gilliam were hostesses at the Kent-Valentine
House.
The innovation of the Judging School at
The GCV three Flowers Shows was initially
successful and worth perpetuating in subse-
quent years. The GCV Inter-Club Speakers
Bureau Booklet was revised. The labels for
trees in Capitol Square were financed by The
GCV with The James River Garden Club
overseeing the project.
The Flower Shows Handbook was revised
by Mrs. Patteson-Knight and her committee.
The Conservation Forum was moved from
Richmond to the Boar's Head Inn in
Charlottesville for two years and was a sell-
out.
Conservation Chairman, Mrs. William R.
Miller,Jr., was busy educating everyone on the
Bottle Bill.
It was suggested that nominating ballots
be sent to Board members and Past Presidents,
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents
Mrs. Lucius J. Kellam, Mrs. i1Jrner and Mrs. Benjamin J. Mears, The Eastern Shore, 197 5.
and this was done.
The Kent-Valentine House was getting
spruced up, and I chose to have enlarged pic-
tures of the interior and exterior with me when
I visited member clubs. We needed money
and gifts in a big way! A committee composed
of Mrs. Wright Harrison, Mrs. C. Harrison
Mann, Jr., and the Directors-at-Large was
formed to explore increasing the Kent-Valen-
tine House Endowment Fund. The first year
the Fund increased $50,000.
The GCV 4lst Daffodil Show was spon-
sored by our "baby club" -The Garden Club
of the Northern Neck at the Rappahannock
Community College in Warsaw. The theme
was "The First Hundred Years." To quote
Daffodil Test Chairman, Mrs. Karl F. Hehl,
"our
baby club grew up and bloomed with great
success."
The 55th Annual Meeting of The GCV
was held in Old Town Alexandria. The host-
ess club, The Garden Club of Alexandria, was
celebrating its 50th birthday. Mrs. Matheson,
Mrs. Gunnell, Mrs. Latham and Mrs. Smith
received special thanks. Lunch by The Gar-
den Club of Fairfax was served at Woodlawn
21
with Mrs. Maury and Mrs. Boothe to show us
the gardens. The Elizabeth River Garden
Club of Portsmouth, organized in 192 7, was
accepted as the 45th member club of The
GCV with 60 members.
The Massie Medal was awarded to ] ane
Norris Birchfield and the deLacy Gray Medal
to Mrs. B. Powell Harrison.
Horticulture Chairman, Mrs. Robert W
Massie III, displayed ferns raised by her and
evergreen cuttings rooted by member clubs.
The Garden Club of Virginia was sad-
dened by the death this year of its famous
Honorary President, Mrs. HerbertMcKelden
Smith.
Several Bylaws changes were made. The
members on the Restoration Committee in-
creased from 8 to 10. The Committee Chair-
men of Public Relations, The JOURNAL,
Kent-Valentine House, and Conservation
were deleted from the Board membership.
Chairmen of the Restoration Committee and
the Historic Garden Week Committee re-
mained on the Board. This change is going
back to the Charter. Directors-at-Large were
assigned to committees of their choice.
The Restoration Committee was busy
 Follow the Green Arrow
Photograph courtesy of The Richmond Tunes Dispatch
Mrs. Wyatt Aiken Williams shows Mrs. VD:rner
Historic Virginia Gardens.
"Sprucing Up for the Bicentennial." The
Committee traveled to Smithfield in Mont-
gomery County and to Fincastle Churchyard
where needed work was done on brick walks,
boxwood, wall crumbling and ground grad-
ing.
The Club voted to give $3,400 to Virginia
Polytechnic Institute as a matching grant to
continue the research project of the "Boxwood
Root Rot Disease" - payable in 1977.
Mrs. Melvin Wallinger (Ellen; Mrs.
Charles A. Rueger, Jr.) and Mrs. Louis A.
Wright (Sarah) catalogued the 750 books in
the Kent-Valentine House Library- the old-
est book is dated 1668. Mrs. Whitney Godwin
gave an extant copy of the 1952 Calendar to
the library. It now had a complete collection
of all publications of The GCV.
Horticulture Field Day at the National
Arboretum was a sellout with 65 members.
Tappahannock and Portsmouth were opened
for the first time, and over $100,000 was raised
by the Historic Garden Week tours.
Clubs were asked to bring five or more
22
copies of their current club yearbook to the
Annual Meeting of The GCV.
The Ashland Garden Club sponsored
The GCV 33rd Annual Lily Show with the
28th Annual International Lily Show of the
North American Lily Society. It was a scorch-
ing hot day, and The Ashland Garden Club
did a wonderful job, but it was heard some
said this would be the one and only!
Mrs. Harrison and Mrs. Miller were the
hostesses for the summer meeting at Virginia
Beach of the Board of Directors.
Topics for clubs at the meeting:
l. Plans for celebrating the Bicentennial.
2. Plans for contribution to Kent-Valen-
tine House Endowment Fund.
The Historic Garden Week Committee
reported that the response from homeowners
for tours of Richmond for 1976 was so great
that the tour would be extended from three to
four days.
So many wonderful donations, monetary
and otherwise, had been received for the Kent-
Valentine House, but members were urged to
give and not lend.
The GCV Award for Meritorious
Achievement in Conservation was given to
Mrs. Hiram B. Eley for saving the Historic
Green Spring District.
Retirement benefits for HGW employ-
ees were studied, and Jean Printz, after long
research, implemented a plan with Southwest-
ern Life Insurance for employee retirement
at no cost to the employee.
Mrs. John M. Maury represented The
GCV at Woodlawn at the International Con-
ference on the Preservation and Restoration
of Historic Gardens and Landscapes spon-
sored by Dumbarton Oaks, The National
Trust for Historic Preservation and American
Horticultural Society. The GCV gave a do-
nation for refreshments.
The GCV 56th Board of Governors'
Meeting was held at Cape Charles on the East-
ern Shore. Mr. and Mrs. George F. Parsons
entertained at an oyster roast on the beach
which was great. Lunches were held at the
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents
homes of Mr. and Mrs. Guy Webster at
Eyreville, Judge and Mrs. George Willis at
Elkington and Mrs. Harry Baldwin at Eyre
Hall. Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Turner treated us
with cocktails at Kendall Grove, and Mr. and
Mrs. Lucius Kellam entertained us at dinner
under a big tent at Mount Pleasant. Lunch
before departure was with Mr. and Mrs. T.
Hume Dixon at Point Pleasant.
Mrs. Stewart Bell kept on top of billboard
legislation. The news from The JOURNAL
was that Mrs. John M. Stetson and Mrs. T.
Robert Vermillion traveled to Staunton and
Roanoke to meet with journalists in District 2
and4.
Bacon's Castle opened for Historic Gar-
den Week in 1975 for four days and one-half
day Sunday with 3,000 visitors.
Conservation Chairman, Mrs. Miller, sug-
gested that individuals should lobby, but that
committees of The GCV must be careful to
keep The GCV tax free status.
Mrs. Bell was hostess to The GCV Board
of Directors Meeting at the Kent-Valentine
House in January. An engraved cup was pre-
sented to "Lawrence Percy Gregory 0ack)
with affection and appreciation from The
Garden Club of Virginia and the Kent-Val-
entine House, Jan. 197 6."
An award was presented to The GCV by
the Richmond Urban Design of the City of
Richmond for outstanding contribution to the
visual and physical quality of the Richmond
Community in 197 5.
The GCV 56th Annual Meeting was held
at the Sheraton in Fredericksburg. Mrs.
George Benoit entertained the Board for din-
ner at Snowden. Mr. and Mrs. Douglas E.
Quarles had a cocktail buffet for the delegates.
Thanks went to Mrs. Smoot, Mrs. Embrey and
Mrs. Rose.
Mr. Robert P. Nelson, Executive Vice
President of the Virginia Travel Council,
wrote thanking The GCV and especially Mrs.
James B. Martin whose excellent speech at the
awards lunch in Williamsburg "stole the
show." The award was for helping tourism in
Virginia.
A request was approved for an exhibit for
the Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs Bi-
23
centennial Flower Show in Roanoke. Slides
would be shown of The GCV restorations.
In the spring of 197 6 our latest publica-
tion, Historic Virginia Gardens by Dorothy
Hunt Williams, was circulated. This was to
be The GCV's outstanding contribution to the
Bicentennial. What a fantastic volume it was!
Another birthday present was a Liberty
Bell requested by the Smithsonian Institution's
Centennial of 1876. Our talented member,
Georgia Vance, made a dried Liberty Bell of
red celosia and white sprays of dogwood which
was lovely.
Dr. Robert Lambe from VPI was a guest
speaker and showed slides on "Boxwood Rot
and Decline." The Massie Medal was awarded
to Mrs. Wyatt A. Wiliams and the deLacy
Gray Medal to Elisabeth Aiken Nolting.
The gorgeous needlepoint rug was un-
veiled. Each member club did a needlepoint
square of its seal or logo. The rug will go in
the library at the Kent-Valentine House. The
luncheon was given by The Garden Club of
the Northern Neck.
Editor's Note: Mrs. Varner was awarded
the Massie Medal in 1996.
MRS. TOYD. SAVAGE,JR.
President
The Garden Club of Virginia
1976-1978
Mrs.John D. Varner of the Roanoke Val-
ley Garden Club presided over The Garden
Club of Virginia 1974-1976. The wife of a
prominent surgeon in Roanoke, Betsy was a
highly capable, intelligent and forceful leader.
She first came to the Board of The Garden
Club of Virginia in 1966 as Secretary to Mary
Wise Parrott (Mrs. Benjamin F. Parrott), and
then moved tlirough the ranks of several of-
fices to Treasurer. Her fame grew in this job,
not only by her excellence in handling The
GCV accounts, but also in her determination
to explain to us the oft-misunderstood term
"constitutional membership."
This new President stepped into her role
with the ease and confidence of one well-pre-
pared by eight years of in-depth Garden Club
Work. Reserved and conservative, Betsy ran
 Follow the Green Arrow
...J
..
.. '
i_., .
Mrs. Toy D. Savage, Jr.
a tight ship those two years, steered us into
the coming National Bicentennial celebration,
and pledged to renew our goals and to dedi-
cate our resources to refurbishing our exist-
ing Restoration projects. A hard act to fol-
low. And scary.
My memory has dimmed in these 18
years, but I doubt that even total recall would
bring forth much to comment upon during
my term as President of The Garden Club of
Vrrginia. My predecessor, Betsy Varner, is tall,
handsome and regal. I am 5'2" and certainly
not regal. On the occasion of the change of
office at The GCV Annual Meeting in
Fredericksburg, the newspaper people were on
hand to photograph Betsy and me. We were
posed at the bottom of stairs leading to a high
porch and, feeling rather insecure, I was in-
spired to step up two steps in order to face
Betsy on the same level. That routine was
more or less the story of my tenure - I kept
having to jump up two steps in order to keep
even!
It was a lovely two years. The fun of the
meetings and gatherings across the state and
the excitement and challenge of the programs
and projects that these (then 2800) women
were accomplishing inspired in me a lifelong
24
love and devotion to this organization whose
members are Virginia's finest.
The forerunner of cellular phones in cars
was the CB (Citizens Band) radio. It was the
rage in the 1970s, when along with all truck
drivers many of us used the machine as we
drove long distances. The jargon of CB com-
munication was a language apart, and tuning
in on fellow travellers was highly entertain-
ing. The man with the mike had the stage,
and anyone in the surrounding two miles was
his audience. Each CBer had a "handle" (call
name) - mine was "Flower Pot."
Really bright spots: installing the needle-
point rug worked by each member club in the
library at the Kent-Valentine House; accept-
ing the James Finley Award from the National
Trust to The GCV for historic preservation,
the inauguration of the restored Rotunda at
an elegant dinner dedicating The GCV gift
of the North Forecourt landscape to the Uni-
versity of Virginia, Brick Terrace at Lee
Chapel, Visitors Reception Center at
Woodlawn Plantation, the restoration of the
landscape at Point of Honor, and the encour-
aging and supportive smiles of the Past Presi-
dents sitting on the front row at The GCV
Annual and Board of Governors' meetings.
There were two areas of business in which
the Board engaged that are not fully reeog-
nized in the records. First, the Finance Com-
mittee, under Alice Burke (Mrs. James 0.
Burke), arranged a schedule of salary for the
two employees in the Historic Garden Week
office. Previously, their salaries had been a
questionable figure.
The other matter for study was the in-
creasing concern voiced by many members
that The GCV did not give enough attention
and support to the broad field of conserva-
tion. There were even cries for HGW funds
to support conservation! Elizabeth Scott (Mrs.
Frederic W. Scott) chaired an ad hoc study
group for this issue. Its answer was a proposal
for establishing an endowment fund geared
to support conservation as well as other
projects of the member clubs and the GCV
committees. This endowment was established
under Jane Murrell (Mrs. Thomas W. Murrell,
Jr.), my successor, by a gift of $20,000 from
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents
the Restoration Committee. It is known as
the Common Wealth Fund and has grown to
provide an annual award of about $5 ,000 to
the winning project.
One of the most stimulating parts of my
job has been visiting the member clubs of The
GCV. It was a pleasure to meet the members,
and the meetings were thoroughly interest-
ing, and the coffees, lunches, and teas deli-
cious. How could I battle my own personal
Bulge in such good company?
The GCV Annual Meeting is the arena
for the Officers, Chairmen, and club presi-
dents to tell of the many activities of The
GCV. One day in March driving home from
such a committee, I amused myself by mak-
ing a rhyme. I keyed all of this verse to the
pentameter of "Twas the Night Before Christ-
mas" and I recall just a bit, with apologies to
Clement Moore.
So off to Kent-Valentine, these Commit-
tees they flew
With correspondence-filled files, and
bright ideas too.
As I turned down the thermostat
And put chairs around
In front door and back door
They came with a bound.
Mrs. Savage.
25
They were dressed all in suede, as in Ul-
tra, that is,
And they spoke but a few words, then got
down to biz.
Molly Dodson (Mrs. E. Griffith Dodson,
Jr.) reported thatThe Tuckahoe Garden Club
of Westhampton had recommended to the
Admissions Committee that August Dietz ill,
a best friend and long supporter of The GCV,
be made an Honorary Member of The Gar-
den Club ofVll'ginia. Seconded by The James
River Garden Club, the motion received a
chorus of hearty "Amens," and "Sonny" Dietz
was elected Honorary Member of The Gar-
den Club of Virginia.
The Conservation Forum was held at St.
Paul's Church in Richmond February 14. It
was an honor to have Governor and Mrs. Mills
Godwin as luncheon guests.
On the first of December 1977 the final
payment was made on the loan to purchase
the Kent-Valentine House. To bring this
about in six short years was remarkable and a
tribute to Mary Frances Flowers (Mrs. George
H. Flowers, Jr.), Teen Martin (Mrs. James B.
· Martin), and to those others who had first the
dream, then had the good sense to plan and
arrange for The GCV to have a home of its
own.
The Massie Medal was awarded to The
Blue Ridge Garden Club of Lexington in 1977
"for its creation and maintenance of the Ber-
tha Whitney Townes Memorial Courtyard
Garden at the Stonewall Jackson Hospital,
Lexington."
The deLacy Gray Medal was awarded to
"Mrs. Georgia Shrum Brown in 1977 for her
outstanding efforts in furthering the knowl-
edge of our natural resources and encourag-
ing their wise use."
Special awards in 1978 included the
Massie Medal given to Mrs. Arthur A. Dugdale
(Betty) of Ashland "for outstanding achieve-
ment in horticulture and her readiness to teach
and help others."
The deLacy Gray Medal was awarded
Mrs. Hope Wallach Porter "for her continu-
ing actions against opposing forces in the
struggle to preserve and maintain the quality
of life enjoyed in Fauquier County."
 Follow the Green Arrow
Roxie and Lawrence (Jack) Gregory in the Kent
Valentine House dining room.
The Garden Club of Virginia Award for
Meritorious Achievement in Conservation was
given to Dr. E. Spencer Wise of Christopher
Newport College "for his unselfish service to
the Commonwealth ofVirginia and for timely
and constructive action in the conservation of
our natural resources."
The Garden Club of Virginia Award for
Meritorious Achievement in conservation
given to Danville Group, Dan River, Inc., "for
improvement of the environment and conser-
vation of resources. Programs included man-
agement, planning, allocation of funds, exten-
sive engineering and implementation."
As my last act, I saluted and turned the
gavel over to the very capable hands of the
incoming President of The Garden Club of
Virginia, Mrs. Thomas W. Murrell, Jr.
Mrs. Murrell received it saying: "I was at
a dinner recently seated next to the Honor-
able Andrew P. Miller, Attorney General, and
someone congratulated me on being the new
President of The Garden Club of Virginia. I
replied 'but I'm not the President, I haven't
been elected yet.' They said "Yes, but you will
run unopposed." Andy Miller said "How on
earth do you do that?"
26
Mrs. Murrell said, "I can only hope to
follow, not succeed, Hunter Savage, and now
I'd like to call on Mrs. James Montgomery
(Dot) who will express this better than I."
"Several years ago, The Garden Club of
Norfolk sponsored The GCV Annual Meet-
ing, and as we drove up in front of our hotel, a
petite blond, smiling, sparkling-eyed and vi-
vacious, burst through the double doors and
came forward to bid us welcome. Twas one
Hunter Hankins Savage by name, and I
thought I had never seen a happier face. To-
day, as that same Hunter Savage takes her leave
as our President, a similar thought comes to
mind: There have never been two happier
years.
Hunter, this morning, as you take your
first long breath in two years, do so in the
knowledge of a job beautifully done, and that
you take with you into your retirement the
love, appreciation, and admiration of each of
us. And may you never lose that sparkle, for
truly you light up our lives. God Bless!"
Editor's Note: Mrs. Savage was awarded
the Massie Medal in 1994.
MRS. THOMAS W. MURRELL, JR.
President
The Garden Club of Virginia
1978-1980
When I was elected President of The
Garden Club of Virginia at its Annual Meet-
ing in Lynchburg in May 1978, I was fortu-
nate that the Nominating Committee, follow-
ing the suggestions of the member clubs, had
already named a fine Board for me to work
with. My first task was probably my most
important - getting the right people to chair
committees. With the wealth of talent in The
GCV this was no problem, but I was unusu-
ally fortunate, and I can brag about these with-
out being immodest, as I know they took on
these responsibilities because of the past ac-
complishments of The Club. Of course I knew
that I had to run as fast as I could to keep up
with people such as these, and that is exactly
what I did.
The years 1978-1980 offered real chal-
lenges. Throughout the country there were
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents
many signs that
volunteers were
being more
careful in
choosing how
they would
spend their
spare time. To
begin with,
there was pre-
cious little of it,
as domestic
help had be-
come a thing of
the past for the
majority, and
many women
Mrs. Thomas W. Murrell, Jr. had taken jobs.
However, even
though time for all of us was limited, some
important and interesting issues were being
examined. Concern for the environment had
become a constantly talked-about issue. How
to find a balance between supporting conser-
vation and allowing progress for a vastly ex-
panding population was the big question.
Organizations such as The GCV felt more
than ever an obligation to its members to ap-
proach these questions in an informed way.
It was also a time of constantly-rising in-
flation for the whole country, and for eleven
years The GCV had been operating on $5
dues from each member! The GCVhad been
as economical as possible, printing the min-
utes on both sides of the paper and single spac-
ing them. In order to economize, the sum-
mer edition of The JOURNAL had been
eliminated. It finally became apparent that a
drastic step had to be taken, and the dues were
raised to $10. To begin a term by raising the
dues for the first time in over a decade requires
strong support, and I was even more grateful
for a superb Board and Officers.
The members met the changing times
with the ingenuity and spirit they had always
shown. The Board of Directors pondered
ways to simplify meetings and make them as
little burden as possible for hostess clubs. Al-
though there were fewer formal dinners and
more picnics, none of the fun, attractiveness,
27
or unmatched hospitality was lost. From the
fall of 1978 when, as the early pioneers had
done, we traveled the "Philadelphia Road"
near Martinsville in the southwestern part of
our state, to May 1980 when we met in Fairfax,
the northeastern tip of Virginia and the fast-
est growing metropolitan area of our country,
we saw the diversity of the Commonwealth's
problems and challenges. The unifying fac-
tor was always the 3,000 energetic, interested
members determined to improve the quality
oflife. And what meetings they were! Think-
ing of them would bring so many pleasant
memories to me. Our first Board Meeting was
at the Toy Savage Cottage at Virginia Beach,
where we could tell at once the group would
be congenial throughout the two-year term.
With a full moon over the ocean, backfin crab
and beef tenderloin, no wonder it was memo-
rable!
Each meeting that came in the next two
years had highlights that would always be re-
membered. My initialed "Gucci" bag and a
still flourishing ponytail palm from
Martinsville would remind me of the Board
of Governors' Meeting as guests of The Gar-
den Study Club. Who could ever forget our
stay at the John Marshall Hotel in Richmond
in the spring of 1979 when The Boxwood Gar-
den Club held the Annual Meeting? No one
could have predicted that there would also be
a large Lions' Club Convention at the same
time, plus the confusion of rebuilding the ho-
tel around us!
The second summer meeting was at Nags
Head as guests of Mary Frances Flowers (Mrs.
George H. Flowers, Jr.) and Ellen Godwin
(Mrs. James C. Godwin), where we enjoyed
exceptional hospitality in a really relaxed at-
mosphere with the added treat of having our
friends Jack and Roxie Gregory from our own
Kent-Valentine House with us.
In all the meetings The Garden Club of
Virginia held over the years, however, prob-
ably none would be more memorable than the
Board of Governors' Meeting in early Octo-
ber 1979 as guests of The Spotswood Garden
Club. Our visit to the Valley began with a
wonderful picnic supper in a fine barn owned
by one of the members. We had taken a hay-
 Follow the Green Arrow
ride through rolling meadows where the cows
gave us the most puzzled expressions imagin-
able. Back to the motel we went for a few
nightcaps, chats, and to bed. We were awak-
ened by the most ominous silence and soon
learned that 14 inches of snow had paralyzed
the whole community and cut off all power.
Undaunted, everybody began coping with
holding a meeting under such circumstances.
Meetings were held with all of us huddled in
blankets. The only room in the hotel where
artificial light was not required was around the
indoor swimming pool, so it was there we
gathered sans loud speaker or tape recorder.
The thought of feeding everyone was the
greatest challenge. The Spotswood girls got
in their four-wheel drive buggies used on
mountain roads and managed to get all the
necessary food to James Madison University,
where, happily, gas was used for cooking. The
snow and ice were extremely destructive be-
cause of the weight on trees still in green leaf,
but except for this, it was a unique experience
which was filled with fun and showed us again
what ingenious members we have.
Ingenuity and hard work also continued
to characterize the planning and execution of
Historic Garden Week, our most important
longtime activity. Despite some hesitancy and
WO{ry over opening houses in times when the
crime rate rose in a frightening way, excellent
tours were held, and in both years previous
records for admission were broken.
In the fall of 1978 the Society of Travel
Writers, meeting in New Delhi, India, pre-
sented one of its international awards to The
Garden Club of Virginia for all it had done
for tourism in Virginia over the years by con-
ducting Historic Garden Week. At the Wrn-
ter Board Meeting inJ anuary 1979, Mrs.John
Dalton, wife of Governor Dalton, presented
the award. Among other comments about the
far-reaching effects of The GCV work, she
said, "The Garden Club ofVrrginia has helped
preserve a sense of stability in increasingly
transient times."
The continued success of Historic Gar-
den Week was due in large part to the work of
the Historic Garden Week office, operated by
Charlotte Massie and Ginny Williams. Their
28
publicity appeared in countless publications
and produced "Springtime in Virginia," a
supplement to The Richmond Times-Dis-
patch. An issue of "Southern Accents" had
beautiful color photographs of the Lynchburg
Tour and a fine article and drawing of Char-
lotte Massie appeared on the editorial page of
the Richmond News Leader. A superb tour
was mapped out for the Garden Club of
America Visiting Gardens Committee, tours
and parties were arranged for a plane-load
from the Denver Garden Club, and a cocktail
party for people who opened their homes was
held at the Kent-Valentine House.
As had been done since 1929 when His-
toric Garden Week began, the proceeds from
these very successful tours were used to re-
store the grounds of historic places, the total
expenditure now being approximately three
million dollars used for work on 32 projects.
Work at Point of Honor in Lynchburg
was finally completed, so that new projects
could be undertaken. For some time the Res-
toration Committee had been searching for a
successor to our friend, Ralph Griswold, a
landscape architect who was expert in historic
work in the classic sense. At this time we be-
gan our association with Mr. Rudy J . F avretti,
head of the landscape architecture department
of the University of Connecticut. Mr. F avretti
had published countless articles and books on
historic landscape design, agronomy, and hor-
ticulture, had been a speaker at the
Williamsburg Garden Symposium and an ad-
visor on many notable projects including re-
planting Jefferson's grove at Monticello.
The Committee visited several new pro-
posed projects and began work at Prestwould
in Mecklenburg County. This place, home of
Sir Peyton and Lady Jean Skipwith, is in a sec-
tion of Virginia where we had not worked be-
fore and is also of special historic interest. It
is owned by and owes its preservation to a
foundation which saved it through real devo-
tion. Lady Skipwith, who lived there as a
widow for over 20 years, had one of the finest
libraries in Virginia in the late 18th and early
19th centuries. She was a remarkable gardener
and left complete records of her extensive gar-
den. The work began by restoring the stone
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents
wall around the property and pruning the
trees, thereby opening a vista to the river
which had disappeared from view. Because
Lady Jean's garden had been so accurately re-
corded, it was a real temptation to try to re-
produce it exactly, but both The Garden Club
of Virginia and the Prestwould Foundation
knew that maintaining such a garden would
be totally impossible today. A new approach
was undertaken - a delineation of the original
garden with labels and explanatory material
to describe it. In this we were aided by Mrs.
Robert Jeffress (Elizabeth) of Richmond, a
member of The James River Garden Club, a
former member of the Restoration Commit-
tee, and a well known preservationist. Because
of her generosity, the summerhouse at
Prestwould was restored with a model of the
garden and descriptive panels in it. Descen-
dants of Lady Jean's original plants were still
on the grounds and traces of her "horseshoe
beds" could still be seen. A wonderful picnic
lunch and dedication marked the completion
of this project.
We next turned our attention to two other
new areas - Petersburg and Portsmouth. We
were particularly pleased to be working in
parts of our state where we had not previously
worked. This gave The GCV an opportunity
to show its appreciation to the clubs in those
areas. Each project presented an entirely new
situation with a distinctive interest of its own.
Centre Hill in Petersburg is a fine 19th-
century house, home of the Bolling family,
which has played a large part in many phases
of Petersburg history and now is part of an
urban area being maintained by the city. It is
the home of the Victorian Society in Virginia,
has been beautifully restored and is used as a
community center for cultural events. A
simple planting appropriate to the house and
an improvement to the Adams Street entrance
were carried out here.
The Greek Revival Courthouse at Ports-
mouth was built in 1846 and is a very impor-
tant feature of restoration work in the core of
this city, where it serves as a cultural and com-
munity center. At our Annual Meeting in May
1979 slides were shown of the proposed re-
newal and planting of the courtyard of this
29
building, and this project was approved. Work
was delayed because the building was still be-
ing worked on, but it promised to be a valu-
able addition to the work being done there.
From its beginning The Garden Club of
Virginia had been concerned with conserva-
tion and beautification. All over our country
at this time particular attention was being fo-
cused on conservation issues. The GCV con-
stantly tried to evaluate what its role should
be in this. In October 1978 the presidents of
member clubs were asked to make this the
subject of their reports. Nationally and inter-
nationally, conservation, energy, and the shar-
ing of the world's resources had become vital
issues. Saving endangered species and pre-
serving the beauty of our country were in con-
stant conflict with the necessity for develop-
ment. Through the Conservation Commit-
tee, members tried to keep informed and to
speak effectively and moderately. Since The
GCV early days, members have been con-
cerned with our highways and have attacked
the billboard problem. In 1965 the Federal
Highway Act, subsequently known as the
"Lady Bird Act" because of support from Mrs.
Lyndon Johnson, was passed. Improvements
were seen in the scenic beauty along our roads,
but the outdoor advertisers never give up and
soon began lobbying in Congress to whittle
away the effectiveness of this act, so that it
became virtually useless. During this time The
GCV had a representative on the Governor's
Committee on Outdoor Advertising and thus
expressed the views of those who were opposed
to commercialization of our roadsides.
As an answer to a request from many
members who felt that conservation should be
emphasized more in The GCV, the Conser-
vation Chairman was put back on the Board
of Directors, the Committee was enlarged and
a system of rotation of members was instituted.
The Committee concentrated on several is-
sues before the Legislature, instead of scat-
tering its fire too broadly and kept the mem-
bership informed on legislation through the
club conservation chairmen and also through
The GCV Annual Conservation Forum. A
one-day workshop for the public was held at
the Kent-Valentine House with Virginia's Riv-
 Follow the Green Arrow
ers and Coastline as its subject. A study of
environmental education in the public schools
was undertaken. Another way in which the
Conservation Committee investigated oppor-
tunities for environmental education was
through visits to and a study of the Virginia
Coast Reserve and its work with the Nature
Conservancy at Brownsville near Nassawadox.
It was felt that its potentialities should be ex-
plored further. During these years awards
were made to the Dan River Mills for its fine
work in conservation and to the Reynolds
Metal Company for its preservation and con-
servation work.
Because of interest in conservation shown
by many members, a brand-new activity came
into being in The Garden Club of Virginia at
this time. Immediately before this term the
Conservation Chairman had come to the
Board of Directors with a request that we show
a more concrete interest in conservation causes
by regularly using part of the funds raised by
Historic Garden Week to support such work,
rather than have all these funds go to restora-
tion work. This had been carefully consid-
ered and turned down for a number of sound
reasons, but out of this grew an ad hoc com-
mittee to study how we could sponsor other
projects in a more concrete way. After much
discussion and thought, the Common Wealth
Fund was born. This was a fund which we
had to raise, the interest from which would be
awarded annually to a project sponsored by a
club or committee in the fields of beautifica-
tion, conservation, education, horticulture, or
preservation, the winner to be decided by a
vote from each club. In this way, The GCV
would be encouraging local projects and giv-
ing some financial help to clubs that had
worked so long and hard to make Garden
Week a success. The fund was started by an
appropriation of $20,000 from the Restora-
tion Committee. The inspiration had been
the Founder's Fund of The Garden Club of
America, and, to our delight, the fund was fur-
ther augmented by a contribution of $2500
from the Visiting Gardens Committee of that
organization which we had entertained the
previous spring.
The first award of $1500 would be given
30
at the Board of Governors' Meeting in the fall
of 1980. Another happy connection yielded
$10,000 more for the fund. The late Ann
Cocke Cole had been a valuable member of
The Blue Ridge Garden Club and the first
recipient of The GCV Massie Medal for her
Memorial Garden at VMI. At her death she
provided that the Windsor Foundation be set
up to contribute to worthwhile causes. When
we explained the Common Wealth Award to
this foundation, it made this fine contribution
in her name and, I am honored to say, in mine.
During the first summer that this fund was
set up many applications describing fine
projects were received from clubs.
Other activities (almost too varied to enu-
merate) occurred during these years. The
Inter-Club Speakers Bureau Booklet was re-
vised, The Journal continued its interesting
publication, horticulture programs were a
source of new ideas at all our meetings, guide-
lines for Horticulture Certificates of Merit
were set down, a grant was given to VP! for
the study of boxwood, our slide collection was
sorted and improved, records were put in or-
der for a future history, programs were held
for junior members, Follow the Green Arrow
and Historic Virginia Gardens were almost sold
out, and we saw to it that our activities were
given good coverage in the press.
Many meetings were held at our head-
quarters, the Kent-Valentine House, which
continued to grow more attractive and to ac-
quire more lovely things through gifts from
friends. The lower floor was done over and
added valuable meeting space. It became a
true home to all of us. No account of these
years would be complete without saying that
our dear friend] ack Gregory, who worked for
us there, always made us welcome and happy
to be a part of it. His inimitable way of bless-
ing us before each meal there will never be
forgotten.
In the spring of 1980 near the close of my
term of office, The Garden Club of Norfolk
was hostess to the Garden Club of America
and its president asked me to welcome the
group. I told them that I did not think I was
immodest when I said that what I thought it
was to the nation we were to Virginia and that
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents
Jack Gregory
we shared many of the same concerns and in-
terests.
Let me close this account with a quote
from my report when my term ended at the
Annual Meeting in Fairfax in May 1980:
"When I began traveling tlrrough Vrrginia to
visit clubs, I wondered ifl had any real message
to give them. I could say pleasant things and
they would be sincere, because the people and
the circumstances were pleasant, but it seemed
to me people want more than pleasantries
when they give their time today. I began to
search my mind as to what being a garden club
member means in our changing world, and I
continually came up with the conclusion that it
can mean what you want itto, because it is con-
cerned with the quality of life, and that is so all-
inclusive, it need never be dull or meaningless.
Every time I made a talk before a club it had to
be revised, changed somewhat because exter-
nal events were in such a state of flux - the en-
ergy situation, tax hearings, bills before the
General Assembly or Congress, the gas situa-
tion as it might affect Garden Week or holding
meetings, the economic picture. I soon de-
cided that our concerns are serious and that we
are in a unique position to make our opinions
felt. Here is where each club president has an
31
enormous opportunity, for she is largely the
person who will determine for her term
whether being in her club is meaningful. We
must adapt to today's world. As I have said be-
fore, perhaps Darwin's finches should be our
symbol. We must constantly evolve and de-
velop. We must show young people particu-
larly that interesting, important issues are part
of the garden club member's quest for a better
quality of life. This quest which we follow to-
gether can include as many vital issues as we
choose, and we have the wonderful advantage of
following it in the most enjoyable company
possible - the members of The Garden Club of
Vrrginia."
Editor's Note: Mrs. Murrell was awarded
the Massie Medal posthumously in 1984.
THE GARDEN CLUB
OF VIRGINIA 1980s
Though the winds of change have
whistled tlrrough The Garden Club of Vir-
ginia, 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, commu-
nity, state and tourist organizations for its con-
tribution to the preservation of the history and
beauty of Virginia. Among these commenda-
tions were The Garden Club of America's
Medal for Historic Preservation, The South-
east Tourist Society Award to Historic Gar-
den Week as one of the Top Twenty Events in
the Southeast, The Association for the Pres-
ervation of Virginia Antiquities' Historic Pres-
ervation Award for its preservation of the 17th
century garden at Bacon's Castle, Common-
wealth of Virginia Certificate in Recognition
and Appreciation of Volunteer Services to Vir-
ginia, Award from Richmond on the Jam es by
the Commonwealth of Virginia Award Com-
mittee, Certificate from Mayor of Portsmouth
for Courthouse Landscape.
 Follow the Green Arrow
Miss Jean Printz, Mrs. D.H. Patteson-Knight and
Mrs. Murrell, 1980 Annual Meeting.
Robert H. Talley, Jr. and William G.
Pannill were elected Honorary Members of
The Garden Club of Virgina.
Lawrence (''Jack") Gregory, beloved care-
taker of the Kent-Valentine House, died in
August 1980.
The Garden Club of Virginia Award for
Meritorious Achievement in Conservation was
awarded to The Virginia Department of High-
ways and Transportation.
The Garden Club of Virginia passed a
resolution that all Garden Club of Virginia
judges must pass a Garden Club of Virginia
Artistic Judging School every five years.
In 1983 the Members' Handbook was
printed, the Inter-Club Speakers Bureau
Booklet was revised, a brochure printed with
the history of Kent-Valentine House, and
Kent-Valentine property was proclaimed an
Historic Area by the Architectural Review
Board of Richmond.
The Garden Club of Virginia sponsored
the visit to Virginia of 22 members of the
Worshipful Company of Gardeners of Lon-
don. The Freedom of the Company was con-
ferred on Jean Printz, GCV President.
In 1984 the basement of the Kent-Valen-
tine House was water-proofed for a dry and
useful meeting space and a mildew proof stor-
age space for Historic Garden Week and Gar-
den Club of Virginia records. A sprinkler was
installed on the grounds of the Kent-Valen-
32
tine House.
Three thousand copies of Historic Virginia
Gardens were reprinted by the Restoration
Committee and the University Press in 1986.
Mrs. George H. Flowers, Jr. was elected
Honorary President of The Garden Club of
Virginia in 1987. Mrs. Richard B. Williams
resigned as Secretary of Historic Garden
Week and Mrs. William W. Flowers was hired
as Secretary.
The Kent-Valentine House property was
proclaimed a Historic Area by the Architec-
tural Review Board.
Sally Stetson retired after 27 years as Edi-
tor of The Garden Club of Virginia JOUR-
NAL in 1988. Mrs. Lewis F. Jolly became
EditorofTheJOURNAL and the UPDATE,
which were combined under one umbrella.
The Garden Club of Virginia promoted
the Constitution Oak project in conjunction
with the Department of Forestry and sup-
ported the/Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act
with the General Assembly.
Mrs. Kellam announced the bequest of
the remainder of the Catesby prints by Rob-
ert H. Talley,Jr. who died March 10, 1987.
Two computers were purchased for the
Historic Garden Week office in 1989, and the
postal service was being contacted in regard
to a lower postage rate for Historic Garden
Week.
A magnificent diamond brooch was given
to The Garden Club of Virginia by Mrs.
Clayton B. Ethridge, of The Garden Club of
Fairfax, to be worn by the club member dur-
ing her term as President.
MISS JEAN PRINTZ
President
The Garden Club of Virginia
1980-1982
At the Annual Meeting held in Fairfax
May 1980, in her remarks upon accepting the
gavel as the 31st President ofThe Garden Club
of Virginia, Miss Printz stated-''This admin-
istration will give special emphasis to the pre-
cepts set forth by our founders. The Garden
Club of Virginia is a unique organization and
this group has a rare privilege of service .... to
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents

complete projects be-

gun, to strengthen com-
mittees, and never to be
satisfied with less than
the best. We have a re-
sponsibility to carry on
the fine work of the pre-
vious administrations
and to guard and nurture
the solid values be-
queathed to us. Our ho-
rizons are ever broaden-
ing with the changing
times and we must meet
present and future chal-
lenges with knowledge
and vision; expanding
the work through our
committees and foster-
ing a new generation of
leadership building
around their strength."
Following Jane
Murrell (Mrs. Thomas
W. Murrell,Jr.) as Presi-
dent of The Garden
Club of Virginia pre- ·:.·;;~.'

•
sented a formidable task. .

In addition to being an .
avid gardener, ] ane had ~

been active in the affairs

of The Garden Club of
Virginia for many years
.. :. "· a
- Chairman of Historic
Garden Week, Chair-
man of the Restoration
Committee, Vice Presi-
dent and President, all
positions demanding re-
sponsibility and having
1180·82'
the element of chal- Miss Jean Printz and "The Hloomin' Board"
lenge.
An innovation came during Jane's presi- conservation, horticulture, preservation, and
dency when she, in her special way, convinced education in the state of Virginia. Her term
the members of The Garden Club of Virginia was marked by her conviction that The Gar-
of the importance of establishing a Common den Club of Virginia is and should continue
Wealth Fund to enable The Garden Club of to be a moving force, not only in preserving
Virginia to make an annual financial award to gardens of the past, but also in stimulating the
a member club or Committee of The Garden creation of new areas of beauty in Virginia.
Club ofVrrginia for projects of beautification, The Garden Club ofVrrginia has benefit-

33
 Follow the Green Arrow

wife of VMI's Superintendent and win-

Mrs. Hunter H. McGuire, Jr. and Mrs. Benjamin w. begin September first. The summer
Mears, Jr., 1980 Board of Governors' Meeting.
ted from the special talents of this gracious
and able lady.
The Board of Directors met at
Farmington Country Club in Charlottesville
July 26, 1980, and were guests of Dr. and Mrs. Tour were under way. The hard work of local
Murrell for dinner and guests of Mr. and Mrs.
Charles K. Woltz for brunch on Sunday.
The President announced that she
planned to prepare a notebook containing
guidelines for each Officer and each Commit-
tee Chairman as well as a calendar of activi-
ties. A copy of this notebook would be given
to the new President at the end of this term.
It was also hoped that the notebook would be
updated annually and passed along.
The Lily Show inJune sponsored by the
Leesburg Garden Club was outstanding and
much appreciated by those attending.
The Common Wealth Award Commit-
tee announced plans to present four finalists
for the first award, the winner to be decided
by the presidents of the member clubs at the
Board of Governors' Meeting in October.
This Committee, which started as an ad hoc
committee during Mrs. Toy Savage, Jr.'s
(Hunter) term, was continued by Mrs. Murrell
and became a standing committee in 1979,
with Mrs. Frederic W. Scott (Elizabeth) as its be placed in each club's file at the Kent-Val-
first Chairman. Mrs. Scott agreed to continue
in this capacity. It was noted that a contribu- histories. This material would be a valuable
tion of$10,000 to the Common Wealth Fund
had been made by the Wmdsor Foundation,
Inc., of Richmond, given in memory of Mrs.
Anne Owen Cole, who as Mrs. Cocke, was the
ner of the first Massie Medal for the
Memorial Garden at VMI. The Com-
mon Wealth Fund was also the recipi-
ent of $10,000 as a grant from The GCV
Restoration Committee, augmenting its
previous grant of $20,000.
The Restoration Committee Chair-
man 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
house at Prestwould had been com-
pleted and plans for the display of a
model garden to be housed there had been
initiated.
Another successful Historic Garden Week
Tour was held in April, and plans for the 1981
chairmen was noted and thanks extended.
The Board responded enthusiastically to
the request for The GCV co-sponsorship in a
symposium on historic gardens to be held at
Kenmore.
The papers of Mr. Charles F. Gillette, a
well-known landscape architect who assisted
The GCV with restoration projects, were
given to the Fiske-Kimball Fine Arts Library
at the University of Virginia to be preserved
for future researchers.
Sponsored by The Blue Ridge Garden
Club, the Board of Governors' Meeting was
held in Lexington October 14, 15, 16, 1980.
At the Board of Directors' Meeting preced-
ing the full meeting, several recommendations
regarding membership in conservation groups
were discussed and decisions reached. A mo-
tion to endorse the National Coalition to Pre-
serve Scenic Beauty carried. The Historian
requested a condensed version of member
clubs' histories for the period 1970-1980 to
entine House along with subsequent annual
resource when the next history is written.
The death of Jack Gregory, friend and
employee of The GCV, was reported with re-
gret. Jack was truly an "Institution" at the

34
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents
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 pro-
nounced 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 Aux-
iliary 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 an-
niversary. The JOURNAL was founded dur-
ing 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
35
by The Petersburg Garden Club, the needle-
point having been done by Mrs. Edward Wil-
liams (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 Chair-
man noted that members of the Committee
periodically visit past and current sites of res-
torations and encouraged members to visit
also, saying that they would find a well-de-
served reward for their labor and love for His-
toric Garden Week Tours in Virginia.
The Rose Show sponsored by The Gar-
den 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
 Follow the Green Arrow
Mrs. Hugh H. Chatham (Anne Stanley), Governor and Mrs. John N. Dalton and Miss Printz at the
Governor's Mansion.
and the elegant luncheons added to the en-
joyment 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 Na-
ture 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 an-
nounced: "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 sig-
nifying 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
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 oth-
ers.
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, informa-
tion 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 as-
pects of environmental education among
members and to promote environmental edu-
cation through the schools and public at large.
A revised version of the Handbook for
Annual and Board of Governors' Meetings was
authorized.
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents
The death of Mrs. Powell Glass (Anne),
The GCV President from 1942-1944 was re-
ported with regret.
The Board of Directors met in Newport
News May 19, 1981, before the opening of
the Annual Meeting. The loss of three valu-
able members was noted: Mrs. Robert Jeffress
of Richmond; Mrs.Joseph Mercer of Orange;
and as reported at the Winter Board Meet-
ing, Mrs. Glass.
Two new perpetual awards for the Daffo-
dil Shows were accepted: the Louise Morris
Goodwin Bowl, given by the Roanoke Valley
Garden Club, and the Jennette H. Rustin Tro-
phy given by Mrs. Howard B. Bloomer, Jr.
Sixteen of The GCV's 26 restorations
were visited during the year. The Restora-
tion Committee reported co-sponsoring a
scholarship paper on the Kenmore Gardens.
The GCV was the recipient of the Forest
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture 75th
Anniversary Award and a Certificate of Ap-
preciation from the Historic Richmond Foun-
dation "in grateful recognition of outstand-
ing contributions to the preservation of the
architecture and heritage of the City of Rich-
mond."
The 61st Annual Meeting of The GCV
was held in Newport News May 19, 20, 21,
1981, sponsored by the Hampton Roads Gar-
den Club.
The Horticulture Field Day on wildflow-
ers was held in Roanoke with a visit to the Mill
Mountain Wildflower Garden with many par-
ticipants. The next Field Day would be held
at River Farm, headquarters of The Ameri-
can Horticultural Society in Alexandria.
The Restoration Committee's two new
projects-Smithfield in Blacksburg and Kerr
Place on the Eastern Shore-were accepted
by the membership.
The Conservation Committee continued
to be a force in the study of the environment
and promotion of increased knowledge of
natural resources, especially water.
It was announced that the dedication cer-
emony of the garden at Prestwould would take
place September 27 with the annual picnic of
the Foundation to follow.
The Annual and Board of Governors
37
Meetings' Chairman announced that work had
begun on the revision of the Handbook and
requested suggestions or thoughts from the
members.
The speaker at this meeting was Parke
Rouse, journalist and writer of note recently
retired from Jamestown who is now working
with the Yorktown Bicentennial. Mr. Rouse
centered his remarks on some of the early
English botanists/horticulturists who collected
flora and fauna from Virginia and the New
World, primarily plants not found in England.
He cited the work of John Tradescant, En-
glish gardener to Charles I, and the Tradescant
family whose collection is now in the
Ashmolean Museum, Oxford. Mr. Rouse cited
the contributions made by The GCV to the
Tradescant Trust at the Museum and con-
cluded with the words, " ... the good works
started by the Tradescants are very much alive
The Conservation Committee logo.
in Virginia and throughout the world today."
The many plans made by the Hampton
Roads Garden Club for our comfort and plea-
sure during the Meeting were properly ac-
knowledged and appreciation expressed.
The Board of Directors met at Chatmoss
Country Club in Martinsville July 25, 1981,
as guests of Mrs.James B. Montgomery (Dot)
and Mrs. Edward H. Ould (Betty Barr).
The Warrenton Garden Club held a most
successful and beautiful Lily Show in June.
The Chairman reported that the Resto-
ration Committee had agreed to place a plaque
 Follow the Green Arrow
in the North Garden of the Governor's Man-
sion in Richmond, as requested by Mrs.
Dalton, in memory of Anne Bassett Stanley.
The plaque will read: "In recognition of her
contributions to the Commonwealth of Vir-
ginia this garden is dedicated in memory of
Anne Bassett Stanley, First Lady of Virginia,
1954-1958. Plans given by The Garden Club
of Virginia - 1981."
The first GCV Nature Camp was held
August 17-21 at Brownsville on the Eastern
Shore under the guidance of The Garden Club
of the Eastern Shore.
The GCV lost two special friends-Mr.
Ralph E. Griswold, landscape architect for
GCV projects during the 1960s and early
1970s, and an Honorary Member of The
GCV; and Mrs. W. Allen Perkins, 8th Presi-
dent of The GCV:
A letter of thanks was received from the
Tradescant Trust for the copy of Historic Vir-
ginia Gardens by Dorothy Hunt Williams,
which had been placed in the library at the
Ashmolean Museum in England.
Fallowing a comprehensive report on the
Marline Corporation's uranium exploration in
Virginia, members were encouraged to use
their influence to have this incompatible in-
dustry banned from the Commonwealth.
The Garden Club of Warren County was
hostess club for the 62nd Board of Governors'
Meeting in Front Royal on October 13, 14,
38
15, 1981.
As had been the practice for many years,
the Treasurer once again explained constitu-
tional membership to the club presidents.
This is the basis for dues paid by member clubs
and seems never to be fully understood.
The Rose Show held in October at the
Science Museum in Richmond, sponsored by
The James River Garden Club and the Tuc-
kahoe Garden Club of Westhampton, was ex-
pertly staged and was an outstanding event.
By popular request, the annual Artistic
Judging School would be resumed next Spring.
The Flower Shows Chairman praised the work
of the three Test Chairmen as well as the splen-
did cooperation received from the national
societies.
The Historian again reminded club presi-
dents that their club histories are needed.
These will be placed in individual boxes in the
Kent-Valentine House for the use of future
historians or those who would write the se-
quel to Follow the Green Arrow.
Gross returns for the 1981 Historic Gar-
den Week Tour were $220,265.07 and in the
words of the HGW Chairman, " ... it is easy
to see what an important part each has played
in HGW, making it the brightest jewel in the
crown of tourism in Virginia."
A new sketch of the history of the Kent-
Valentine House was prepared this year and
was printed in bulk for distribution to visitors.
The brochure was the gift of the President.
At a ceremony held on September 2 7,
1981, the interpretive garden of Lady Jean
Skipwith at Prestwould was presented to the
Prestwould Foundation.
Members of the Restoration Committee
participated in a ceremony October 28th at
the Governor's Mansion when Mrs. Dalton
presented the newly-planted North Garden
in memory of Anne Bassett Stanley.
Mrs. Richard D. McComas, Administra-
tive Officer at the Smithsonian Institution's
Conservation and Research Center in Front
Royal, was the speaker at this meeting. She
showed an interesting film on the center's work
with special emphasis on the research being
conducted there on animals of endangered
species.
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents
The oft-postponed Winter Board Meet-
ing 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 dedi-
cation 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 Judg-
ing School.
In discussing the activities of the JOUR-
NAL Editor and Assistant Editor, it was sug-
gested 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 en-
joyable and informative.
Lead articles to 670 newspapers
throughout the country were sent out in De-
cember. 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 oth-
ers, as well as travel magazines. Gratitude
was expressed to Charlotte Massie and Vir-
ginia Williams (Mrs. Richard B. Williams)
for all of their hard work for Historic Gar-
den Week.
Since the Auditor's report is no longer
being printed in the minutes, it was the deci-
sion of the Board to have the Treasurer give a
more detailed report at the Board of Gover-
nors' 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
and Adelia Matthews (Mrs. Irving L.
Matthews), former Editor and Director of
Publicity for Historic Garden Week, were re-
ported with great sadness.
The Board of Directors met before the
Annual Meeting in Virginia Beach May 18,
1982. There were positive reports from the
Chairmen present and from the liaison mem-
bers for Committees not represented on the
Board. The HGW chairman reported a gross
figure of $236,990.47 for 1982. The figure
improves each year!!!
At this meeting the registration fees for
the Annual and Board of Governors' Meet-
ings were raised to $30.00 and $25.00 respec-
tively.
The 62nd Annual Meeting of The GCV
was held in Virginia Beach May 18, 19, 20,
1982.
The Annual and Board of Governors'
Meetings Committee was thanked for the re-
vised Handbook which is a streamlined out-
line for future Meetings, adapted to today's
world.
The first two awards by the Common
Wealth Award Committee were won by The
Blue Ridge Garden Club for the C&O Walk-
ing Trail entrance in Lexington and The Prin-
cess Anne Garden Club for its project, Edu-
cating Youth for Environmental Service
(EYES) in Virginia Beach. The third award
would be $5 ,000 - twice as large as the first
one two years ago.
The Conservation Committee continued
its policing of many areas of concern, and the
members were thankful for their dedication
to the many facets of this Committee's work.
A resolution in support of the reauthorization
of a strong Clean Air Act as outlined by the
National Clean Air Coalition and its Virginia
Chapter was adopted by the General Assem-
bly. A logo designed by Rosalie Bell and Kate
Schultz was accepted and will be used on en-
velopes to accent our interest in conservation.
The long-planned visit of the Worship-
ful Company of Gardeners of London became
a reality when for one week in April we enter-
tained twenty-two members of the Company.
This was a most pleasant and interesting ex-
perience. At a dinner held in the Common-
 Follow the Green Arrow

MRS. JAMES B.
MONTGOMERY
President
The Garden Club of Virginia
1982-1984

Both my big feet are inad-

equate 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 wan-
ing days of 1981, to be Presi-
dent of The Garden Club of
Virginia, 1982-1984. But the
best part about following Jean
Mrs. James B. Montgomery. was that I would have Jean as
mentor, back-up, and good
wealth Club, the Freedom of the Company right arm, jobs she filled for me with as much
was conferred on the President of The Gar- finesse as she fills all others. Jean not only
den Club of Virginia. An exquisitely etched knows all there is to know about The Garden
crystal bowl honoring The Garden Club of Club of Virginia, but she has an instinct born
Virginia was presented. The bowl is in the of years of involvement with every facet of The
Kent-Valentine House and several articles, Club's work. She is a financial wizard, has an
written by Teen Martin (Mrs.
James B. Martin), giving details
of the visit, have appeared in The
JOURNAL.
In the President's closing re-
marks, Miss Printz
complimented the Officers,
Chairmen, and members with
whom she worked and thanked
them for their dedication. She
then said, "Travelling through-
out the state visiting member
clubs has been a rewarding ex-
perience-although not without
incident. Eating lunch on the
street in Norfolk following a
bomb threat at the Chrysler Mu- M-rs. Hugh L. Patte-rson, M-rs. Edward H. Quid III, Mn Frederic
seum while a guest of the five W. Scott, Mrs. Montgomery, Mrs. William H. Parker and M-rs.
area clubs, a slashed tire that self- James C. Godwin.
destructed just 14 miles from
Charlottesville, and microphones (that lli plu- insight that predicts, usually accurately, the
ral) which mysteriously went dead as the po- outcome of any initiative and she knows where
dia were approached, were a few of some the bodies are buried! I counted upon her not
rather strange happenings." to let me go too far astray.
Editor's Note: Miss Printz was awarded So with Mighty Mouse at my side, I waded
the Massie Medal in 1991. 10.

40
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents

Immediately after taking office, I was

felled by a rampant case of salmonella. Writh-
ing on my bed I wondered how, if I lived at
all-it seemed unlikely-I would ever make it
to Warrenton for the Lily Show, my first ob-
ligation. But fresh out of the hospital and as
pale as any lily in the room, I was there to
hand out the awards. I hoped this was not a
harbinger of things to come.
When I first became a member of a Gar-
den Club ofVirginia club, way back in the dark
ages, I found it an arcane world. There was
something called Historic Garden Week (what
in the world was that?) and something called
the Massie Medal and something else called
the deLacy Gray Medal. There were the "The
Restorations." There was "the Legislative arm
of the Conservation Committee." (You just
Mrs. Hugh L. Patterson, Mrs. William L.
had to know that.one was a biggie!) And much
Gilliam, Jr. and Mrs. Montgomery.
more. Good manners, we Juniors felt, rather
dictated that we be seen and not heard; ques-
tions, especially stupid ones, would not be Vice President, and a member of Danville's
welcomed. So we kept quiet, sat in the meet- Gabriella Garden Club, was asked to take on
ings trying to look knowing, and after awhile this formidable task, for which there was no
a sort of scanty knowledge began to seep in precedent to guide her. If she ever felt cowed
by osmosis. But far too much time had been at any time, she hid it well. She thought it all
wasted waiting for ignorance to blossom into through, established priorities, gathered her
enlightenment. team, consulted with me regularly and worked
With this experience under my belt, I had out a tentative financial plan with the "Money
thought for years that it was rather a lack that Mavens." In short, she took the ball and ran
new members had no reference book to which with it and before you could say Handbook,
they could turn for answers to these myster- we had an exquisite and informative one with
ies. Why not a Handbook, containing not only its cover a melange of scenes of the Kent-Val-
the official rules, but also the little nuances entine House and grounds. We were grati-
and subtle unwritten do's and don'ts that have fied at its reception by the clubs. As you read
evolved over the years and are so much a part this, it will have just undergone its first revi-
of us. sion and reprinting. The GCV owes Mrs.
The idea of such a publication was put Parker a great debt for a job beautifully ex-
before the Board early in my term and was ecuted.
met with a stony silence. "Why do we need For many years, The Garden of Virginia
it?", asked a few so steeped in knowledge of Journal had filled the need for which it was
The GCV they had forgotten what it was like established - gardening, articles, information
not to know. But then voices of support be- about the club's work, book reviews, lists of
gan to be heard. "Why haven't we thought of gifts, notifications of deaths and much much
this before?", asked one. I think it's a splen- more. But as time went on, it was becoming
did idea," said another. "How will we finance obvious that something else was needed. The
it?", asked another thoughtful one, raising a JOURNAL was published six times a year, an
very good question. It was decided the thing elegant and expensive magazine, growing
was worth pursuing. more expensive all the time. Why not a less
Mrs. William H . Parker (Peyton), Second costly, less formal, more informative "flyer"
41
 Follow the Green Arrow
Mrs. Montgomery with Mrs. John M. Stetson and
Mrs. Benjamin W. Mears, Jr.
type publication, to be interspersed between
fewer issues of the JOURNAL? The idea was
tossed around in Board meetings for many
months during which I was increasingly im-
pressed with the active minds and innovative
ideas of my Board. There has never been such
a group. What detail one didn't think of, an-
other did. And in the end, voihi! The Garden
Club of Virginia UPDATE. It was exciting
to be in on the advent of a new GCV creation,
one that now, thirteen years later, still seems
to be filling a definite need.
The days flew by. There were commit-
tee meetings, most of which I had never dark-
ened the door of before. As President, I was
expected to attend all of them, except Nomi-
nations, whether they wanted me or not!
Those meetings were learning experiences. I
always left with renewed awe at the talent that
was encompassed under the banner of The
Garden Club of Virginia and at how quietly
and effectively each member played her role.
And there were visits to The GCV clubs
- in my opinion the most important function
the President fulfills. I was invited to speak to
42 of the 45. Each of these meetings was
unique, as individual and attractive as the
clubs. Some included two or three large clubs,
held in lavish locations with gourmet food and
42
exquisite flower arrangements; some were less
elaborate, but just as lovely, with only one or
two clubs, often held at our impressive Kent-
Valentine House, where Mary Frances Flow-
ers (Mrs. George H. Flowers, Jr.) made us all
feel very special. And there were the small
meetings in someone's cozy living room with
a big fire going and a glass of wine before
lunch, just talking. Perhaps 20 of us just get-
ting to know each other. It's hard to say which
of these types of gatherings were my favor-
ites. When I relive those joyous days, my heart
returns to them all with smiles and great af-
fection.
However, not all the days were golden.
"Into each term, some rain .... " For during my
two years, we lost four of our treasured Past
Presidents. It was a blow that left a perma-
nent gap in our ranks. Mrs. Burdette S.
Wright (Elizabeth), Mrs.WW S. Butler (Sa-
rah), Mrs. Thomas W Murrell, Jr. (Jane), and
Mrs. James Bland Martin (Teen). Of these
four, the latter three died between one Meet-
ing and the next! Oh, help!
After the shock and grief, the next most
immediate concern was how to handle the
eulogies at the upcoming Meeting. Each of
these Presidents deserved to be remembered
individually, deserved a separate time in which
to recall her enormous contribution. But three
eulogies all in a row at the same meeting?
Whew! I dunno ....
Enter the 'Delta Force'-the remaining
Past Presidents. They all agreed: If these
Departed Ones could be given voice they
would say collectively, "Don't you dare! Good
Heavens, it will ruin the Meeting."
"Leave it to us," said the Past Presidents,
and oh! how gratefully I passed into their ca-
pable hands this delicate matter. The Past
President who had been closest to each of the
deceased composed a eulogy, then they put
them all together into one glowing tribute,
presented at the next Meeting. Timid about
possible slights or seeming slights, I was vastly
relieved that this one beautiful articulated ac-
colade, encompassing all four, seemed actu-
ally more effective than a separate one for each.
And I don't believe any but the Past Presidents
would have been adroit enough to carry it off!
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents

It was not the first nor the last occa-

sion I had to be in debt to the "Front
Line."
During my term, the Conserva-
tion and Beautification Committee
won the Common Wealth Award. It
was the first time ever that the award
had been won by a Committee instead
of a club or individual, and it was an
exciting time for this group and its
imaginative Chairman, Mrs. Edward
L. Dashiell (Charlotte) of The Vir- Mrs. Montgomery, Mrs. George H. Flowers, Jr. and Mrs.
ginia Beach Garden Club. She and Benjamin W. Mears, Jr. with Mr. Rudy]. Favretti, The GCV
her Committee conceived the idea of Landscape Architect, at the Kent-T'ltlentine House.
planting greenery and flowering
plants around the "Welcome to Virginia" signs In my two years, there were two success-
across the state. The GCV had always en- ful Historic Garden Weeks, four exquisite
joyed a most cooperative association with the GCV Meetings, eight challenging Board
Virginia Department of Highways and Trans- meetings, six breathtaking Flower Shows, two
portation, so Mrs. Dashiell asked if it would stimulating Conservation Forums, two proud
undertake the planting and maintenance, if Restoration presentations - and red-letter
The GCV provided the plant material. The days too many to mention. On each of these
Department quickly agreed and drew up at- occasions I was made to feel like "Queen for a
tractive plans for various locations, advised us Day." The weeks were full: often I would
on which plants would best withstand the as- leave home at daybreak on Monday and re-
sault of automobile traffic and found special turn after dark on Friday night. I travelled
prices on the plants. With this valuable help, through sunrise and sunset, rain and shine,
we were able to plant thirteen entrances to the sometimes in exhilaration, sometimes in frus-
state. It was an endeavor that encompassed tration, with a goal in mind, or a problem. But
both conservation and beautification - the always, I was sure with the goodwill of the
charge of this committee. membership, even when some were not in
There was, I believe, another 'first' dur- complete accord with me and my Board. It
ing my term: the awarding of the Massie was an enviable position.
Medal posthumously. At my final meeting in The Presidency of The Garden Club of
Danville, Jane Murrell's daughter Page Virginia is a unique experience. There are
Murrell Woltz was present to receive the legions in this organization who are capable
award for her mother. In the decision to honor of doing the job. The choosing of one is not a
Jane, the Massie Medal Committee took into task for the faint-hearted. No President, I
account] ane's own straight-forward and amus- think, comes into the office with the universal
ing remark of years previous: "Good Heav- approval of the membership. There is always
ens, the Past Presidents just can't sit around another whom some would have preferred.
giving the Medal to each other!" Jane's enor- But once the choice is made, everyone's shoul-
mous contribution to the advancement ofThe der is laid to the wheel to smooth the
Garden Club of Virginia could not be ignored, President's path and further the work of The
however, and the Committee members, not- Garden Club of Virginia. There is always
withstanding that dear Jane was probably look- plenty of input, many varying ideas of how
ing down upon them shaking her head in dis- best to resolve any problems, to reach any goal.
approval, decided it was appropriate to do what If we were forever in agreement we would be
they did. As it turned out,J ane was the ONLY a less powerful force than we are. From our
one who disapproved. differences evolves a strong consensus and out

43
 Follow the Green Arrow
of the sometimes-chaos comes a body of work her, served The GCV well in the years 1982-
and accomplishment of which 3000-plus Vir- 1984.
ginia women can be justifiably proud. And When Mrs. Mears received the gavel from
for which Virginians in general are grateful. Mrs. Montgomery in Danville in 1984, she
There have been many gratifications in spoke of beginnings and endings and this in-
my seventy-plus years. But one of the proud- deed was the beginning of her long love affair
est is being asked to serve in this happy capac- with The GCV. When her father, accompa-
ity. nied by her mother, seated at the rear of the
On my tombstone they should write: audience, informed her that he could not hear
"Not all good, not all bad. Wife of Jim, a word she said, she determined henceforth
Mother of Lisa and Lou. President of The to project loud and clear. Intimidated by the
Garden Club of Virginia." aforesaid eloquence of Mrs. Montgomery, she
That's plenty. was also prompted to compensate for this lack
of words by speaking "en francais" on occa-
MRS. BENJAMIN W. MEARS, JR. sion to "ses amies."
President The new administration convened, with
The Garden Club of Virginia husbands, at the mountain-top resort, Trillium
1984-1986 House, at Wintergreen for the summer board
meeting. Between being entertained by ex-
Following in the soft and easy footsteps tensive wildflower walks and squirrels being
of the gracious, gentle lady from Martinsville, catapulted from squirrel-proof bird feeders,
originally from South Carolina, would be a it was business as usual. Mrs. Mears reported
mean feat for Mrs. Mears as she assumed the on the presentation of the landscaped court-
role of the presidency. Mrs. James B. yard at the old Courthouse in Portsmouth to
Montgomery's eloquence in speaking and her the city of Portsmouth, at which occasion Mrs.
command of the English language were widely William Spong, mother of the beloved Bill
recognized, and her Spong, and a ninety-some year resident of the
determination to pro- city, spoke. A Restoration Committee meet-
tect at all costs the ing at Jean Printz's Wilton was described as
sanctity of the was a Lily Show given by the Chatham Gar-
50l(c)(3) status ofThe den Club at Hargrave Military Academy on
GCV epitomized the the hottest imaginable day in June.
iron fist in a velvet Cocktails and dinner under the Eiffel
glove theory. The at- Tower at Kings Dominion set the tone for the
tractive and indispens- Board of Governors' Meeting sponsored by
able new GCVHand- The Ashland Garden Club in October. Lunch
book was her brain- at Scotchtown followed by cocktails that
child, and all members evening at Williamsville, home of Mrs. Rob-
are indebted to her for ert W. Cabannis (Florence), were culminated
this service, as well as by dinner in the Estes Dining Hall at
for her accomplish- Randolph-Macon College. Trains, being the
Mrs. Benjamin W. ment in persuading symbol of Ashland and the theme of this meet-
Mears, Jr. the Virginia Depart- ing, were evident in miniature as we entered
ment of Transporta- the building and we were greeted by a pre-
tion to allow The GCY, with Common Wealth tend conductor and train devotee, Dr. Hill
Fund money, to plant "Welcome to Virginia" Carter, Jr. The Past Presidents' table was es-
entrances to the state. pecially lively on this occasion with Judith
Mrs. Montgomery's immaculately attired Godwin (Mrs. F. Whitney Godwin) in her
and coifed appearance, coupled with her genu- glory.
ine and sincere appreciation for each mem- At the business meetings, which were at-

44
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents
Mrs. Wyatt Aiken Williams presents the Massie
Medal to Mrs.]. Robert Massie, Jr., 1985 An-
nual Meeting.
tended by The GCV Honorary Member, Mr.
Robert Talley, Jr. in addition to the regular
members, members were informed by Mrs.
George H. Flowers, Jr. (Mary Frances) that
the Kent-Valentine House had been painted
and that the glass slides which had been cata-
logued by Mrs. Wyatt A. Williams (Dottie)
and which provide, as she says, "a rare inti-
mate appeal for a specific group" have been
copied with the originals sent to Dumbarton
Oaks library in Washington. Mrs. Jam es W.
Perkinson (Siggie) described an outstanding
rose show presented by The Garden Club of
Norfolk with the majority of awards won by
members of The Garden Club of the Eastern
Shore. Mrs. William Parker (Peyton) an-
nounced the winner of the Common Wealth
Award was The Garden Club of Fairfax. Dr.
Betty Diener, then Secretary of Commerce
and Resources, was the guest speaker at Round
Table discussions. Her topic was "The Chesa-
peake Bay and Its Importance" and it was met
with lively and enthusiastic response.
At the Board Meeting at the Kent-Valen-
tine House in January, Mrs. Mears compared
her role to that of a freshman in her first se-
mester of college with much to learn. In com-
parison with Mrs. Mears' role, Mrs. Edward
Barham, Jr. (Susan) told of a gathering she had
for Junior Garden Club members in Novem-
ber at the Kent-Valentine House where her
guests, all under 40, were also interested and
45
eager to learn all about The GCV. Mrs.
Henley L. Guild (Virginia), Restoration
Chairman, described the outstanding event
which took place at Smithfield Plantation
where the newly restored kitchen garden,
fences and walks were presented to the Mont-
gomery County Branch of the APVA. The
delight of the Branch members by this gift
from The GCV was evidenced by the tremen-
dous appreciation expressed as this restoration
joins Fincastle and Barter Theatre as our west-
ern most endeavors.
Mrs. Parke F. Smith (Alice), Historic Gar-
den Week Chairman, announced that this year
two especially interesting areas, Wintergreen
Ski Resort and an 18th Century Quaker Com-
munity in Loudoun County, would be open
for Historic Garden Week for the first time.
The highlight of the meeting was the re-
port on the Conservation F arum given by Mrs.
John Clarkson (Kirk), Conservation Chair-
man. "Lady Bird" Johnson was the keynote
speaker at the Forum and her talk on wild-
flowers was to a full house. Dealing with
25,000 varieties of wildflowers, she had as her
goal the promotion of the indigenous flowers
of America. "We want Maine to look like
Maine and Virginia to look like Virginia."
With her daughter, Lynda Robb, by her side
at the speakers' table, Mrs.Johnson proved to
be an attractive, intelligent and informative
speaker and easily won the approval of the 380
ladies present.
Jean Printz's lovely home, Wilton, was the
setting for the Board Meeting in May preced-
ing the Annual Meeting sponsored by the
Rivanna Garden Club at the Boar's Head Inn
in Charlottesville. Jean's faithful Ruby wel-
comed the members graciously and prepared
a sumptuous feast. The meals at Wilton al-
ways have that wonderful Cuban touch.
Members were welcomed to the 65th
Annual Meeting of The GCV by Mrs. Will-
iam Edwards who said, "the spirit of
Charlottesville, as you well know, centers
around the genius of one remarkable man,
whose personality lives and permeates this area
as vibrantly today as when he actually lived
here two centuries ago." The Jefferson per-
meation was quite obvious as members were
 Follow the Green Arrow
Mrs. Mears and Mrs. William S. Edwards at the
65th Annual Meeting.
treated to lunch in the Rotunda, a tour of the
Pavilion Gardens of his "Academical Village,"
and cocktails at his beloved mountain-top
home, Monticello. At the banquet we learned
that Charlotte Massie (Mrs. J. Robert Massie,
Jr.) had won the Massie Medal Award. To see
her children come forward to share in her
honor was a moving sight. One associate re-
marked on her nomination for this award,
"Charlotte has made Historic Garden Week
big business for The GCV because she is will-
ing to work full time in a part-time job."
The social events were only slightly
dimmed by the business meetings as Mrs.
Mears recounted tales of a daffodil-filled air-
plane hanger, the site of the Daffodil Show in
Charlottesville presented by the Albemarle
Garden Club. A "Day of Wine and Roses,"
thanks to Mrs. Robert Wood (Mina), Horti-
culture Chairman, was the theme for the Field
Day in early May. A tour of Ingleside Nurs-
ery and Vmeyards, a winery sampling, and
lunch and tour at Stratford made for a delight-
ful outing - with gracious hospitality extended
by the Flemer family and their intriguing
French winemaster and Mr. Ronald Wade, the
English gardener at Stratford.
A long-range planning committee with
Mrs. William Gilliam (Anne) at the helm has
been appointed to discuss upcoming needs and
issues that might face The GCV in the fu-
ture. A decision to reprint 3,000 copies of
46
Historic Virgi,nia Gardens was announced as was
the fact that The GCV had received an award
from the Department of General Services of
the Commonwealth of Virginia in recognition
of its outstanding contributions to the State,
in particular the labeling of trees in Capitol
Square and help in planting the Colgate
Darden Garden adjacent to the Square, this
latter feat largely done with the expertise of
Mrs. George M. Cochran (Lee).
Members were advised of the importance
of protecting Virginia's unique natural lands
by a spokesman for the Nature Conservancy
at one of the business meetings and were ex-
cited by Nick Lucketti, archaeologist for The
Research Center for Archaeology in
Yorktown. He spoke on the progress of the
dig at the gardens at Bacon's Castle, funded
by The Garden Club of Virginia Restoration
Committee.
Ending the idyllic stay in Charlottesville,
Mrs. H. Gordon Leggett, Jr. (Pat) in her
thank-you to the Rivanna Garden Club said,
"The Rivanna Garden ladies were our host-
esses supreme, and Mr.Jefferson our host, this
is surely not a dream."
With gallant and ever-patient husbands
again in tow, the members met for the sum-
mer Board Meeting atThe Homestead in Hot
Springs. It appears that the members enjoy
keeping the best resorts in Virginia busy. Be-
tween tennis and golf games and an occasional
massage, compounded by delicious meals, the
meetings of the Board were conducted as
usual. Mrs. Lilburn Talley (Nancy), former
editor of UPDATE, has passed the reins on
to Mrs. Lewis F. Jolly (Betty) who will be our
second editor of that publication. Apprecia-
tion was expressed to Mrs. Talley for her fine
job in getting the newsletter off the ground.
Mrs. W. TayloeMurphy,Jr. (Helen) reported
that "in a parking lot in Richmond on one of
the hottest days of summer, the official roster
of The GCV was transferred from the hands
of the Treasurer (Mrs. Jam es C. Godwin;
Ellen) to those of the Parliamentarian and
Editor of the Register (Mrs. Murphy). Air
conditioning has been installed on the second
and third floors of the Kent-Valentine House
and reports are that it is "whisper quiet." This
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents

was made possible

by the gracious gen-
erosity of the Resto-
ration Committee
of The GCV.
Mrs. Mears re-
ported on an out-
standing Lily Show
in the Old Colony
Hotel in Alexandria
presented by The
Hunting Creek
Garden Club. A
glimpse of our
Capital's landmarks
was reflected in the
interpretations of
"Washington Re-
flections."
The 66th
Board of Gover- Mrs. Mears with Mrs. George]. Savage, Jr. and Mrs. Wilkox Ruffin, Jr.
nors' Meeting con-
vened amidst the glorious fall foliage at Airlie individual ideas.
in Warrenton with the Fauquier and Loudoun The members heard about a well-at-
Garden Club. Members were assigned rooms tended luncheon which the President had held
in various converted farm buildings with the for the member club presidents at the Kent-
President firmly ensconced in the silo. After- Valentine House where there was a lively ex-
noons were spent with trips to Meredyth Vme- change of ideas. Mrs. John Clarkson, Con-
yards where the group learned about Virginia servation Chairman, reported that her Com-
wine production and to Willow Oaks, the mittee is still fighting for the bottle bill, fight-
home of Governor and Mrs. Averell ing against uranium mining in the state and
Harriman. Tea was served in the guest house supporting a phosphate ban to aid in the pres-
and members were warmly received by their ervation of the Chesapeake Bay. She further
host, Mr. Harriman. Travel to dinners at the urged the members to attend the Conserva-
homes of retired ambassadors among others tion Forum where the topic would be "Cre-
was by stretch limo, and a feeling of luxury ative Land Conservation" and the lead speaker
prevailed. The banquet at Airlie House, at would be Dr. El Ashry.
which time it was announced that the Hill- Mrs. Murphy announced that the newly
side Garden Club won the Common Wealth revised GCV Bylaws had been accepted by the
Award for the restoration of the Anne Spen- Board. Mrs. Guild delighted members with
cer Garden, was complete with a presentation the information that the third stage of the ar-
from the "East Virginia Toadsuckers." chaeology was being undertaken at Bacon's
Michael Gore, Director of Belle Grove, Castle's Garden with a video being made to
spoke at one of the business meetings, and the record work being done there.
other was devoted to reports from the presi- A significant event which occured at the
dents of member clubs with the topic this year Rose Show given by The Rappahannock Val-
being "What is the most important contribu- ley Garden Club in Fredericksburg in early
tion your club has made to the community in fall was the winning of a very special award by
the past two years?" This gathering is a won- a little old lady in town who had only one rose
derful arena for the presidents to express their bush. What a thrill for her.

47
 Follow the Green Arrow
Following the recommendation of Mrs.
Gilliam's long-range planning committee,
"that The GCV needs a professional financial
profile including advice on money manage-
ment and diversification of investments," two
representatives from an investment firm in
Richmond were the first on the agenda at the
Winter Board Meeting inJ anuary. The GCV
has surely progressed into the wave of the fu-
ture with this new approach and with the idea
of buying a computer for The Club under in-
vestigation.
1984-1986's "Top Blossom".
The Historic Garden Week guidebook
under the supervision of Mrs. John Robert
Massie, Jr. was due to go to press immediately
and would include two intriguing new tours
this year - miniature houses in Fairfax and
houses on the Norfolk Naval Base which were
built for The Jamestown Exposition in 1907.
Richmond was the site for the Annual
Meeting in 1986 with the Hyatt House as
headquarters for lodging and meetings. Mrs.
Hunter H. McGuire, Jr. (Alice) was hostess at
her lovely home on Rothesay Circle for the
Board luncheon, and Mrs.James C. Hamilton
(Helen) entertained all visitors with cocktails
48
and dinner in her charming Bridgeway Road
home. Husbands of Three Chopt Garden
Club members, hostesses for the Annual
Meeting, were commandeered into serving as
bartenders, and a great feeling of informality
and camaraderie prevailed. Mrs. George M.
Cochran (Lee), currently a member of the
Board of Visitors of The University of Vir-
ginia, brought to the morning meeting Mr.
Robert M. O'Neil, President of the Univer-
sity ofVirginia, who complimented The GCV
for its contribution of beauty to the state and
especially to the University where further
work on the Pavilion Gardens is in progress.
Lunch and the afternoon were spent at the
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, which afforded
members a chance to view the Mellon and
Lewis collections. Cocktails and dinner were
held at the stateliest of all clubs, The Com-
monwealth.
Mrs.Jam es C. Godwin, treasurer, began
the morning meeting by stating that after her
four years in office "the money was all intact,
thank God." Mrs.Joel Crenshaw (Pat), Daf-
fodil Test Chairman, described the recent
Daffodil Show in Martinsville, the home of
Honorary Member and daffodil expert, Mr.
William Pannill, and expressed thanks to The
Martinsville Garden Club for its endeavor.
A double-decker bus was the mode of con-
veyance at the recently held Field Day with a
visit to Dumbarton Oaks with its splendid
gardens and to The National Arboretum for
lunch and a tour with emphasis on the bonsai
collection.
The APVA presented to the Restoration
Committee of The Garden Club of Virginia
its Historic Preservation Award for the year
at its Annual Meeting in Williamsburg in
1986. Mrs. Mears gratefully accepted the
award under a tent at the Dora Armistead
House in the historic area.
As the meeting drew to a close, Mrs.
David Peebles, Chairman of Public Relations,
presented Mrs. Mears with a scrapbook com-
piling activities of her two years as President
of The GCV. Mrs. Mears said in her final
remarks to the assembly, "to be President of
The GCV is to labor in the knowledge that
the charge you bear was defined for all time
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents

by the former Presidents of this organization. The new

It is my hope that the past two years have dig- President, Mrs.
nified our traditions, brought honor to the James C.
members I was elected to serve, and truly made Godwin, re-
this Club's future worthy of its past." ceived the gavel
Following these remarks and in accor- from her dear
dance with the acceptance of the report of the friend, Katty
Nominating Committee Chairman, Mrs. Mears, and an-
Frederic Scott (Elizabeth), the gavel was duly nounced .that
passed from Mrs. Mears to the new President, "Thin is no
Mrs.James C. Godwin. As a grand finale, Mrs. longer in, as
Mears' sister, Mrs. Murphy, presented the Mrs. Mears
outgoing President with a flower bedecked hat shoes would be
and the words: hard to fill, and
"Roses are red, her clothes im-
Violets are blue, possible."
To our dear top blossom, Ellen Godwin
These buds are for you." said when she
took office,
The Garden Club of America presented "What we share
its medal for Historic Preservation to The is very precious
Garden Club of Vrrginia at its annual meet- to me. What I
ing in Pittsburgh in May 1986. Mrs. Mears will represent is
and Mrs. Godwin flew to Pittsburgh to ac- very important Mrs. James C. Godwin.
cept the Medal at The GCA banquet which to us all so, with
was held at the Architectural Hall at the the help of a great Board of Directors, expert
Carnegie Museum. It was a thrilling moment Chairmen, and tinder the watchful eye of the
for these two ladies which culminated the end Past Presidents, I will try very hard to be a
of the term of one and addressed the begin- LADY."
ning of the term of the other. Especially pleas- The two Presidents, past and present,
ing was the statement on the presentation that having roomed together for many years (BBP)
"this nation and all who seek to preserve the before being President, shared their hopes and
best of the past, are richer for the foresight, dreams for The Garden Club of Virginia.
dedication and teamwork of the members of Five days later Mrs. Mears and Mrs.
The Garden Club of Virginia." Godwin forayed to Pittsburgh to receive the
Historic Preservation Award of The Garden
MRS. JAMES C. GODWIN Club of America on behalf of The Garden
President Club of Virginia. The GCV was nominated
The Garden Club of Virginia for this award by The Garden Club of Nor-
1986-1988 folk and seconded by The James River Gar-
den Club.
Mrs. Mears was greatly admired for her Mrs. Godwin admitted that having her
creativity as a flower arranger, her knowledge first meeting sponsored by her own club, The
of horticulture, and her work in restoration Nansemond River Garden Club, in October
and preservation. She was truly a member's 1986, offered great challenges. Mrs. Lawrence
President, extraordinary in her support, up- N. Smith agreed that even Mrs. Godwin's
to-date in her knowledge and inspiring with husband had been pressed into service as he
her leadership. Katty Mears stepped down to had handpainted the tote bags given to all par-
thundering applause and stepped into the ticipants.
APVA as its next President. At the fall Board of Governors' Meeting,
49
 Follow the Green Arrow

that a brochure on the archaeol-

ogy of the garden at Bacon's
Castle had been printed and dis-
tributed. Major work was being
done on the Pavilion Gardens at
the University of Virginia,
Smith's Fort in Surry County, the
Kent-Valentine House, plans for
the front grounds at Carlyle
House in Alexandria and an in-
stallation of an Educational Ex-
hibit to interpret the grounds
were underway.
The Massie Medal was
awarded to Mrs. Charles K.
Woltz (Dawn) of Charlottesville
Mrs. Godwin with Mrs. Herbert Carden (The Garden Club ofthe for her gift of beauty and her joy
Northern Neck), Mrs. William C. Trenary III (The Garden Club in the giving. Mrs.John W Clark
of Warren County), and Mrs. William L. Gilliam, Jr. (Chair- (Sally) was awarded the deLacy
man, Common Wealth Award). Gray Medal for her lifelong dedi-
cation to the beautification of
The Board of Directors met at
Whitehall, the home of Mrs. F.
Whitney Godwin Oudith). Enter-
tained as only Judith can do, the Di-
rectors were served a six course lun-
cheon, including three kinds of liba-
tion. After the luncheon, the Presi-
dent conducted the meeting and all
were surprised when reading the
Secretary's minutes how much had
been done.
Mrs. Godwin announced that a
magnificent diamond brooch had
been given to The Garden Club of
Virginia by Mrs. Clayton B.
Etheridge, of the Garden Club of
Fairfax, who requested that it be worn
by the President of The Garden Club
of Virginia during her term of office.
Mrs. George H. Flowers, Jr.
(Mary Frances) was made Honorary Mrs. Godwin tells Mrs. George H. Flowers, Jr. of her new
President ofThe Garden Club ofVrr- position, Honorary President of The Garden Club of Virginia.
ginia for her distinguished service and
inspirational and untiring work at the Kent- Martinsville. The Common Wealth Award
Valentine House. was given to the Rivanna Garden Club of
During Mrs. Godwin's term, The GCV Charlottesville for the Miller School Arbore-
received a bequest of Mark Catesby prints tum.
from Mr. Robert H. Talley, Jr. With the help of a professional archivist,
The Restoration Committee reported the Kent-Valentine records and files were re-

50
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents
to Mrs. C. Harrison Mann,
Jr. (Betty) of Alexandria for
"heart and mind and talents
... in service to The Garden
Club of Virginia." The
deLacy Gray Medal was
awarded to Mrs. S. W. Rawls,
Jr. (Ami Peace), "a dedicated
conservationist who, during
her lifetime, opened her
home to young people for
the study of conservation and
horticulture." The Common
Wealth Award was given to
The Mill Mountain Garden
Club in Roanoke for the Mill
Mountain Wildflower Gar-
The GCV Auxiliary at Stratford Hall, 19 87. den.
viewed, consolidated and purged, when nec- The Garden Club of Virginia promoted
essary. the Constitution Oak Project with the Virginia
Mrs. Richard B. Williams (Ginny) re- Department of Forestry, and 1,000 seedlings
signed as Executive Secretary of Historic Gar- were planted.
den Week and Mrs. William Washington The Inter-Club Speakers' Bureau Book-
Flowers (Susan) was hired as Executive Sec- let was updated and reprinted.
retary of HGW.
Mrs. Godwin announced at the
68th Annual Meeting in
Williamsburg that The Garden Club
of Virginia and Colonial
Williamsburg began in the same de-
cade 1920.
Mrs. John W. Stetson (Sally) re-
tired after 27 years as Editor of the
GCV JOURNAL and Mrs. Lewis F.
Jolly (Betty) was appointed Editor of
TheJOURNALandUPDATE. An
Editorial Board was established to
work with the new Editor.
Mr. Rudy]. Favretti was elected
an Honorary Member ofThe Garden
Club of Virginia. Approval was given
to begin the restoration of the 17th
Century Garden at Bacon's Castle.
The Garden Club of Virginia en-
couraged the passage of The Chesa-
peake Bay Preservation Act in the
1988 General Assembly.
Horticulture Field Day was held
at the garden at Oatlands. Mrs. C. Harrison Mann, Jr. and Mrs. Godwin at the 1986
The Massie Medal was presented Lily Show.

51
 Follow the Green Arrow
Mrs. Edward A. Barham, Jr. gives Mrs. Godwin the traditional picture of her Board.
Mrs. Godwin announced some highlights
and headlines of her administration:
1. "We hire a new secretary and a new
editor. Headlines read- GCV Pick Flowers
JOURNAL Editor is Jolly
2. Conservation Forum -
Ladies discuss wastes at Delicious Luncheon
in Charlottesville.
3. Harry Byrd speaks at the dedication
of the Belle Grove Project - Byrd heard at
Belle Grove.
4. Late winter affects her daffodils -
Bad Weather keeps Flower Show Committee
in their cups.
5. Last year's Garden Week -
HGW in Virginia draws Record Clouds.
52
6. After Black Monday on Wall Street-
GCV Assets Pruned.
7. After a trip to Elizabeth Arden Farm-
The GCV President loses at Maine Chance."
Upon Mrs. Godwin's retirement, Mrs.
Benjamin W Mears, Jr., paid tribute to "the
grace, diligence, faithfulness, humor, intelli-
gence, and charm with which she served like a
great lady."
MRS. LILBURN TRIGG TALLEY
President
The Garden Club of Virginia
1988-1990
Mrs. Godwin's keen wit and high humor
masked an ability to move mountains. In lead-
ing The Garden Club of Virginia to take a
public stand on Virginia legislation, she
opened the door for those activists among the
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents
Mrs. Lilburn Trigg Talley.
membership who wished to do so to stand up
and be counted with greater credibility. In
adapting The Garden Club ofVrrginia's sound
fiscal policies to contemporary standards of
prudent management, she paved the way for
ever wiser use of GCV resources. She and
the new President engaged in a mock-battle
of the colleges, for Mrs. Godwin's Randolph-
Macon Woman's College degree, she con-
tended, was far superior to Mrs. Talley's from
Sweet Briar College. Although Mrs. Talley
could not agree, she could admire Mrs.
Godwin's intellectual powers. She spent two
years building upon Mrs. Godwin's accom-
plishments as President of The Garden Club
of Virginia.
The new administration began with the
summer meeting of The GCV Board of Di-
rectors, held July 23 at the Tides Lodge with
a number of husbands attending.
Already the outgoing Horticulture Com-
mittee Chairman, Mrs.Jack C. Fuson (Geor-
gia), had masterminded a stunning Horticul-
ture Field Day in the gardens-and in the
houses-at Oatlands, near Leesburg, where
horticulturist Alfredo Siani evoked ghosts of
George Carter the builder, Mrs. Corcoran
Eustis the owner-gardener, and even Gertrude
53
Jekyll.
In addition, The GCV 46th Annual Lily
Show, sponsored July 22-23 by The Little
Garden Club of Winchester, attracted nearly
twenty-five percent more blooms than usual.
Mrs. Talley had represented The Garden Club
of Virginia at a Governor's Mansion recep-
tion on June first, when Governor Charles S.
Robb announced Commonwealth support for
a campaign to restore Poplar Forest.
Restorations were going swimmingly, ac-
cording to Mrs. Robert L. Hopkins, Jr. (Lula),
Chairman of the Restoration Committee. The
Committee met July 6-7 at Royal Orchard,
on Afton Mountain, with Mrs. Hunter H.
McGuire, Jr. (Alice), as hostess, and reported
the refurbishing of the University of Virginia
Pavilion Gardens, being done in tandem with
a major renovation of the pavilion buildings,
and the letting of contracts underway at
Bacon's Castle. This restoration was being
video-taped as it progressed, the first Resto-
ration Project so recorded.
Board members at the July 23 meeting,
held at the Tides Lodge, Irvington, were de-
lighted by Mrs. Arthur S. Brinkley,Jr.'s report
for the Historic Garden Week Committee.
The preliminary gross receipt report of
$341,130.86 was updated at the fall Board of
Governors' Meeting to a final figure of
$349,617.58. With such good news, the His-
toric Garden Week office request for a rented
postage meter was unanimously approved, and
Mrs. Austin T. Darden, Jr. (Mary Hart) was
asked to chair an ad hoc committee to study
computers for the office also.
Mrs. Lewis F.Jolly (Betty) had begun her
term as Editor of The JOURNAL and UP-
DATE after The GCV 1988 Annual Meet-
ing. At the summer Board Meeting, Mrs.
Charles H. Schutte, Jr. (Betty), Parliamentar-
ian, initiated steps to bring the Chairman of
the newly established Editorial Board, which
would provide hands-on help to Betty J ally,
to The GCV Board of Governors' and An-
nual Meetings. A jazzier format for three,
rather than six, issues of The JOURNAL, with
three issues of UPDATE to back it up, was
planned; the first issue would appear in the
fall.
 FolloW the Green Arrow
Mrs.RobertCarterandMrs. WilkoxRuffin,Jr. , 1988Board ruins and imagine the grandeur of
of Governors' Meeting.
The GCV fall Committee meetings were
punctuated by the 52nd Annual Rose Show
sponsored by the Hillside Garden Club in
Lynchburg. Outstanding meetings were held
at the Kent-Valentine House by the Conser-
vation Committee for member club chairmen,
with Joseph Maroon of the Chesapeake Bay
Foundation and State Senator Joseph
Benedetti as speakers, and by the Publications suit with a mink collar; in a rare feat of after-
Committee, withMrs.JohnA. Hugo (Nancy),
a horticulture writer and Ashland Garden
Club member, as speaker.
The Directors met again on October 11
at Glarus, the home of Mrs. Robert L. Trim pi
(Pauline), gathering on a terrace overlooking
the river to enjoy the cool October sunshine
before luncheon - they requested, and later
were sent, the recipe for that sinful chocolate therefore a new Honorary Member, Mrs.
pie - and met in the dining room after lun-
cheon.
The Garden Club of Gloucester set a high
standard indeed when it sponsored The GCV
Board of Governors' Meeting October 11, 12,
13. The first evening the entire meeting was
welcomed for dinner at Purton, the home of
Mr. and Mrs. David Stifel (Ann). Staying at
the Duke of York Motel, with its views of the
York River, placed members near the
Yorktown Victory Center, where hor-
ticulture exhibits (a live wreath of suc-
culents or herbs) were displayed and
the final banquet was staged. Cross-
ing the York the first morning, mem-
bers were bused to the charming vil-
lage of Gloucester to meet in the old
courthouse just as the sun was lifting
th.e early morning fog. Three majes-
tic homes were open for luncheon
with Mrs. William Ingles (Connie) of
White Marsh, Mrs. Bolling Powell
(Mary) of Warner Hall and Mrs.
David Peebles (Mary) of Lisburne as
hostesses. That morning was capped
by a slide presentation by Col. Cecil
Wray Page about Rosewell, where
members were taken after luncheon
to view the impressive vine-covered
what was in its day called the finest
house in all Virginia.
Piped into the Victory Center with fife
and drums, members entered a banquet hall
decorated with flags and patriotic arrange-
ments to hear an address by Mrs. Catesby G.
Jones, Jr. (Spotswood), a Gloucester Garden
Club member and well-known historian. Di-
minutive Spotswood Jones, who looked as if
she might be made of porcelain, wore a silk
dinner speaksmanship she made the Virginia
Convention of 1775 at once accessible and
entertaining.
The Meeting was noted not just for pag-
eantry, but also for accomplishment. The
Board of Directors, having approved the rec-
ommendation of the Admissions Committee,
its Chairman, Connie Ingles, announced
Charles E. Pennebaker, and reported, "Kay
Pennebaker has since 1969 made all those
charming sketches for our Historic Garden
Week guidebooks. She now lives in Pennsyl-
vania and is an honorary member of the Gar-
den Club of The Eastern Shore. We are de-
lighted that she is also an Honorary Member
of The Garden Club ofVirginia."
Mrs. Edward A. Barham, Jr. (Susan),
54
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents

Chairman of the Common Wealth Award at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science,
Committee, reported at the banquet that the with a lecture by the Director, Dr. Frank 0.
Mill Mountain Wildflower Garden was named Perkins, followed by a tour, and box luncheons
the 1988 Common Wealth Award winner. from The Williamsburg Garden Club. Mrs.
Following a vote by The GCV Board of Carroll W. Bartlett (Joanne), president of The
Directors the day before, Mrs.John D. Varner Garden Club of Gloucester, was everywhere,
(Betsy) announced that an increase in dues, justly proud of the executive committee for
from $10 to $15 per member, would be the Meeting: Mrs. Ingles, Mrs. Peebles, Mrs.
brought to the 1989 Annual Meeting. Poor Ben B. Pickett (Kay) and Mrs. H. C. K.
Betsy Varner was Finance Committee Chair- Spotswood (Mickie). The bags from the meet-
man ten years earlier, the last time the dues ing, with screen prints of Gloucester views and
were raised. smart navy-and-red trim, remained in evi-
Mrs.JereM. H. Willis (Barbara) reported dence across Virginia for years.
her project as Historian and Custodian of As Mrs. Talley began her visits to mem-
Records was to sort
through all the papers in
the Kent-Valentine
· House attic and base-
ment, labeling them and
storing them in acid-free
folders and boxes. That
this was completed over
a two-year period was a
major contribution.
Mrs. Spotswood B.
Hall, Jr. (Katie), Kent-
Valentine House Chair-
man, reported that Jon
Philippe was our tenant
in the house, all the
Mark Cates by prints had
been hung, the Linden
Row Inn had opened,
and insurance had cov- Mrs. E. Carruthers Bruce, Mrs. Douglas E. Quarles, Jr. and Mrs. George
ered the sprinkler system H. Flowers, Jr. visit at a Conservation Forum.
struck by lightning.
Mrs. David Diller (Genie), The GCVLily ber clubs, she studied the membership and
Test Committee Chairman, announced Board found it filled with leadership of all sorts.
approval for lily judges being allowed to ex- During her term she pointed this out in her
hibit at The GCV Lily Shows. addresses to them, praising The Garden Club
Mrs. Robert Carter (Bessie), Conserva- of Virginia for the accomplishments of its in
tion Committee Chairman, reported a Forum dividual members.
that all agreed was exceptional. Dr. John "This is an institution whose members'
deGrove, an internationally known consult- lives have changed with changing times, but
ant, was brought from Florida to keynote land whose commitment to beauty, and whose plea-
use problems, addressed also by the Hon. W. sure in association, has not changed," she told
Tayloe Murphy, Jr., for the Chesapeake Bay each club group. "The first woman to serve
Commission and Katherine Imhoff for the on a bank board in Virginia is a member of
Piedmont Environmental Council. The Garden Club of Virginia and has served
The final session of the Meeting was held it as President. The first woman to serve as

55
 Follow the Green Arrow
chairman of a bank board in Virginia is a mem-
ber of The Garden Club of Virginia. The
mayor of Winchester is a member of The
Garden Club of Virginia; a leading member
of Winchester's City Council is on our Daf-
fodil Test Committee and is an ADS horticul-
tural judge. A past president of my own club
has for years held a job as a computer consult-
ant to a large corporation doing highly classi-
fied government work. The present president
of one of our member clubs is a practicing phy-
sician-she's married to a surgeon, and three
At the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden with Director Robert Hebb, fice was explained. Technology
May 1989.
of their five children are doctors. The judge
of the Domestic Relations Court in
Lynchburg is a member of The Garden Club
of Virginia. The owner and operator of the
largest Charolais cattle farm east of the Mis-
sissippi is a member of The Garden Club of
Virginia.
"You are realtors, teachers, and nurses.
You are published authors and painters exhib-
ited nationally. You started and run success-
ful vineyards. You serve on local school boards
and on the boards of colleges and universi-
ties. You have helped establish and led count-
less institutions that are the pride of the Com-
monwealth; among them are the Chesapeake
Bay Foundation, the Preservation Alliance, the
Conservation Council, and numerous local
historical societies, hospital auxiliaries and in- made up for this on the 28th, however, when
dependent schools. The Garden Club of Vir-
ginia is proud to claim you, and proud that
you include its work among your chosen
56
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-Val-
entine 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 Rich-
mond.
The Restoration Committee had ap-
proved 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 res-
toration of the Grace Arents
Garden at Bloemendaal, the
Lewis Ginter Botanical Gar-
den, both awaited approval of
their respective boards; these
were subsequently granted.
The new telephone system for
the Historic Garden Week of-
was catching up with The
GCV-and vice versa.
Mrs. Carter announced for the Conser-
vation Committee a gift of $1,000 from The
Ashland Garden Club, the income to pay for
the Meritorious Achievement Award made
annually at the Forum to an industry, organi-
zation, or individual not a member of The
Gcv. On the.Conservation Committee's rec-
ommendation, the Board approved a new des-
ignation, the Elizabeth Cabell Dugdale Award
for Conservation, to honor a lifelong conser-
vationist who organized the first Conserva-
tion F arum and served as Chairman of the
Conservation Committee, 1956-1958.
Snow did not cause schedule problems for
the January meetings in 1989, but waited un-
til March 8, the day of the annual Judging
School, which had to be rescheduled. March
Horticulture Field Day at Bloemendaal
danced with daffodils in full bloom. Daffo-
dils danced also in Danville April 12 and 13,
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents
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.
when the Gabriella Garden Club sponsored
the 55th Annual Garden Club of Virginia
Daffodil Show.
The GCV Board of Directors meeting
that preceded theMay9, 10, 11 Annual Meet-
ing in Richmond was held at Upper Brandon,
with luncheon as guests of the James River
Corporation. Mid-term difficulties in this
administration were largely money-oriented.
The income from the deLacy Gray Medal
endowment was no longer sufficient to pay for
the medal. At the May meeting the Board of
Directors asked Miss Jean Printz to investi-
gate a different material for the medal. More
serious, the Common Wealth Fund, placed in
a Kemper Government-Plus Bond Mutual
Fund in 1986, was losing money, and was in
1989 placed with other GCV endowed funds
in Sovran Bank's Trust Department, where the
capital would build up as income use was re-
duced. After a shake-down year, publishing
two issues of The JOURNAL and three of
UPDATE, the Publication Committee recog-
nized that the new format was too costly. In
spite of cost-cutting measures, the problem
57
would be solved only by a second radical
change in the publication. On the bright side,
Jody Brinkley announced at the Board Meet-
ing a record preliminary Historic Garden
Week gross of$368,583.20 for 1989, her final
figure to report as Chairman of Historic Gar-
den Week.
The 69th Annual Meeting of The Gar-
den 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 Val-
entine 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 deco-
rated 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 with-
out effort. The only hitch added to the enter-
 Follow the Green Arrow
tainment: a bus driver misunderstood his di-
rections, and drove to Brandon empty to pick
up ladies at 3:30 Tuesday afternoon rather than
meeting the waiting ladies at the Hotel
Jefferson. Scheduled for 4 p.m. registration
Horticulture Day at Wintergreen.
and a tour of the lovely gardens overlooking
the James River at the family home of the Hon.
and Mrs. Daniel, the ladies were a little late.
The gardens were magnificent nonetheless,
Linda and Bobby Daniel unflappable in their
welcome, and dinner in a tent outside the Play-
house elegant in spite of unseasonably cool
weather.
At the Annual Meeting, Rudy J. Favretti
presented his plan for the Grace Arents Gar-
den at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and for
the trees at Virginia Union University, which
were approved as restoration projects. Four
outstanding speakers were presented at ses-
sions open to the public: Robert P. Winthrop
on Richmond's historic architecture, William
G. Pannill on Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden,
A. Howe Todd on the Haxall Canal and David
Bailey on the Evironmental Defense Fund.
Mrs. Kenneth S. White CJ ane) of the Hillside
Garden Club was awarded the Massie Medal
for the reclamation of the Anne Spencer Gar-
den in Lynchburg. A writer and rosarian,J ane
White became one of the youngest recipients
of this prestigious Garden Club award. The
deLacy Gray Medal was given to Mrs.James
C. Godwin (Ellen), immediate Past President
58
of The Garden Club of Virginia and long an
effective leader in conservation for the Com-
monwealth. To take home was a bag trimmed
in navy with The James River Garden Club
logo and happy motto, "Blessed Be God for
Flowers."
After the 1989 An-
nual Meeting was ad-
journed, Gardens
&Landscapes of Virginia
was born. Members of
the Restoration Com-
~ mittee present at the
Annual Meeting joined
Lula Hopkins at lun-
cheon with Richard
Cheek, ultimately pho-
tographer for the book.
On a terrace at lovely
Redesdale, home of Mr.
and Mrs. (Ann) Charles
Larus Reed, Jr., where
the Boxwood, Three
Chopt and Tuckahoe Garden clubs were pro-
viding box lunches, the details of sponsoring
a book were discussed at length.
Glorious late-spring sunshine at Bacon's
Castle for the presentation of the landscape
restoration at "the largest, earliest, best-pre-
served, most sophisticated garden that has
come to light in North America,'' as Mr.
Favretti is frequently quoted, drew a large
crowd of Garden Club of Virginia and Asso-
ciation for the Preservation of Virginia An-
tiquities members Sunday afternoon, May 14.
With Mrs. Talley presiding, former Goverp.or
Harrison delivered an address, Rudy J. F avretti
remarked upon the restoration, and Mrs.
Hopkins made the presentation from The
GCV to the APVA. Mrs. Benjamin W. Mears,
Jr. (Katty), Past President of The GCV, ac-
cepted the gardens on behalf of the APVA, of
which she was president. Initiated when Mrs.
Henley L. Guild (Virginia) was Chairman of
the Restoration Committee, the project had
consumed five years and brought national rec-
ognition to both organizations. It would have
its share of problems as a garden-indeed, the
presentation was made before planting was
established, causing Mrs. Talley to ask, "Who-
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents
ever said we needed a garden for a presenta-
tion?"-but it would continue to be a source
of pride.
Under the leadership of Mrs. William L.
Roberts,Jr. (Gale), the Horticulture Commit-
tee sponsored a second Horticulture Field Day
May 18 at Wintergreen, with guided wood-
land walks and a wildflower lecture at a time
when the wild azaleas were in bloom on the
Blue Ridgeway Parkway.
The 47th Annual GCV Lily Show was
marked by a horrendous storm. Sponsored
by The Garden Club of Warren County in
the gymnasium at Randolph-Macon Academy
in Front Royal, the show was attractively
staged and well-attended. June 14 remained
calm. However, just as the show opened, the
heavens did, too. While awards were being
made, thunder rolled. Lightning flashed first
outside, then in the gym's vast ceiling, as light- P. Duffey (Lillian) of the Winchester-Clarke
ning fixtures attracted lightning. Upper win-
dows blew open, bringing the driving rain in-
side also. No one panicked, by some miracle
the electricity did not go out, and every award
was made.
Airfield, the woodsy 4-H Center near
Waverly, was the setting
for The GCV Summer
Board of Directors
meeting July 15. Mrs.
Hopkins, Mrs. Herbert
W Jackson III (Betsy;
Mrs.JackM. Parrish,Jr.)
and Mrs. H. Gordon
Leggett, Jr. (Pat) were
the hostesses. Two new
members, Mrs. Paul W
Mengel (Lois) and Mrs.
William C. Trenary III
(Melba), were wel-
comed. Reports from Round table discussion, 1989.
two ad hoc committees,
one on member club membership procedures
and one on simplifying The GCV Annual and
Board of Governors meetings, were added to
the committee reports. Mary Hart Darden,
Director-at-Large and liaison to the Publica-
tions Committee, reported, "Representatives
of the Publications and Finance Committee
met June 20 to explore ways of cutting pro-
59
duction costs of The JOURNAL and UP-
DATE. This group will meet again on Au-
gust 29." Betsy Varner added, "Publications'
financial problems seem to mount. We have
tried to find ways to cut costs as The GCV
cannot continue subsidizing our publications."
For the Restoration Committee, Lula
Hopkins reported concern about Bacon's
Castle. "There are a number of problems,
most of which are related to severe soil com-
paction. Mr. Favretti and representatives of
the Committee and the APVA will meet with
Nick Luccketti (the project archaeologist) to
decide what must be done to establish proper
drainage. Once the situation is corrected the
garden work can continue."
On a more cheerful note, this Meeting
approved Gardens & Landscapes of Virginia and
learned that with the advice of Mrs. Maurice
Garden Club the Historic Garden Week of-
fice was almost ready to choose a computer
system.
The Virginia Department of Transporta-
tion invited representatives of several organi-
zations interested in highway beautification to
a work session at VDOT headquarters Fri-
day,July 28. It was a meeting punctuated by a
bomb scare, so that the participants were
crowded on a sidewalk while the building was
inspected. The real shocker for Mrs. Talley,
who represented The GCV, was to hear the
president of the Virginia Federation of Gar-
den Clubs, seated across the conference table,
 Follow the Green Arrow
praise billboards if properly landscaped. Mrs. GCV's insurance portfolio by Johnson &
Talley put The GCV on record as opposing Higgins, Inc. Facing the fact of a litigious
billboards, landscaped or not. society, The GCV increased its coverage for
The following month, Mrs. Talley repre- the Kent-Valentine House and for the
sented The GCV in the Circuit Court at Vir- institution's liability, as advised by the insur-
ginia Beach, at a hearing on a special plea thatance experts and by legal counsel.
The Garden Club of Virginia was entitled to Fall got underway early with Mrs. Talley's
charitable immunity in connection with an luncheon for member club presidents at the
accident that occurred during Historic Gar- Kent-Valentine House Thursday, September
den Week 1987. The judge delivered an im- 7. To have the Chairmen of both the Resto-
mediate decision dismissing The GCV from ration and Common Wealth Award Commit-
tees present was a
plus, for club presi-
dents had an oppor-
tunity to ask ques-
tions about how the
money they helped
raise was being
husbanded and
spent.
The Judging
School, held Sep-
tember 20 at the
Virginia Museum of
Fine Arts with
Georgia Vance of
Staunton as instruc-
tor, drew more than
200 to learn more
about period ar-
rangements. The
Mrs. James B. Murray and Mrs. Benjamin W. Mears, Jr. with Mr. Fred Krupp, Septem her 28
1989 Forum. workshop for club
conservation chair-
this action at law. The lawyers involved be- men focused on recycling. Speakers were
lieved this judgment would set a precedent Betty Byrne Ware (Mrs. H. Hudnall Ware Ill)
protecting The GCV and Historic Garden and Judith Kator, active in recycling in Rich-
Week in the future. mond, Roanoke and Williamsburg.
The proceedings were not publicized, and The Boxwood Garden Club sponsored
Mrs. Talley attended the hearing with no other the 53rd Annual Garden Club ofVirginia Rose
GCV members present. She remembers that Show, October 4-5, in the Virginia Science
the lawyer for the plaintiff seemed surprised Museum, a superb example of adaptive use for
that no GCV member and no homeowner those who remember catching the train in
receives money for Historic Garden Week. Richmond's venerable Broad Street Station.
She was grateful that she could answer all the Mrs. Talley joined the President of the
questions asked her on the stand, particularly Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs in the
that she could be positive about the disposi- receiving line for the October 23 opening gala
tion of all Historic Garden Week funds . of Fine Arts and Flowers, which the two or-
Before the hearing, one result of the suit ganizations joined to sponsor at the Virginia
had been the independent examination of The Museum of Fine Arts. This biennial event

60
 The Gardro Club ofVirgi.na Presidrots

drew an enormous crowd for a glamorous

party.
The fall meeting of The GCV Board of
Directors was held Tuesday, October 24, in
the Board Room of the Chesapeake Bay
Bridge and Tunnel Commission, prior to The
GCV Board of Governors' Meeting for which
the Garden Club of the Eastern Shore was
hostess. Mrs. Lucius J. Kellam (Dot) and Mrs.
Mears, Jr., were luncheon hostesses as well as
Board of Governors' Meeting co-chairmen.
Reporting for an ad hoc committee on
investment procedures, of which she was chair-
man, Mrs. Guild said, "As you know, the Board
of Directors voted in 1986 to have Sovran
Bank manage our capital funds. Prior to 1986
these funds were maintained by The GCV
Treasurer. At that time an investment com-
mittee was appointed to guide us through this
transition period. The committee still meets
periodically to monitor the account. Our com- The Sisters : Mrs. Brojamin W. Mears, Jr. and
mittee recommends the discharge of the ad Mrs. W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr. at the 1990 Annual
hoc committee, to be replaced by a Special Banquet.
Committee under Article K. Section 1-B of
the Bylaws." Mrs. Schutte recommended, and ment as everyday-and as indispensable-as
the Board adopted, this change in the Bylaws, the old Royal typewriter.
following her Parliamentarian's report. The GCV 70th Board of Governors'
As liaison to the Publications Commit- Meeting, October 24, 25, 26, opened with an
tee, Mrs. Darden reported with regret the res- oyster roast on the beach at America House,
ignation ofBettyJolly as editor of The JOUR- Cape Charles. The Garden Club of the East-
NAL and UPDATE. Mrs. Charles C. Freed, ern Shore was hostess for the meeting, and
Jr. (Nan), Publications Chairman, had worked Mr. and Mrs. George F. Parsons were hosts
with Mrs. William W. Old III (Marguerite), for the informal evening, a beautiful time from
Chairman of the newly formed Editorial dusk into a crisply star-studded evening. The
Board, to make the transition from long-time business meeting the next morning was held
Editor Sally Stetson's tenure, and although at the Northampton County Courthouse at
Mrs. Jolly's professional background lent an Eastville; Thursday's meeting took place at the
expert's hand to the enterprise, her commit- Wildlife Center in Cape Charles. The horti-
ments as principal in a Harrisburg marketing culture exhibit, "berried treasure," filled
firm became conflicts. America House entrance rooms. The Historic
A dehumidifier in the vault at the Kent- Garden Week 1989 final tally in the firstpub-
Valentine House, a jeweler to supply the lic report by Mrs. Merritt W. Foster, Jr.
deLacy Gray Medal at a more reasonable cost (Mary), 1989-1991, Chairman, was a whop-
than the former supplier's, and the replace- ping $393,657.14. While Virginia gardeners
ment (and bolting) of insured benches stolen had enjoyed a summer without drought, Mrs.
from the Kent-Valentine House porch were Hopkins bemoaned the continuing problem
behind the scenes accomplishments since The of soil compaction at Bacon's Castle, where
GCV Board of Directors last met. A com- unusual rains had slowed work to a halt. As
puter system for the Historic Garden Week club presidents voted among Common Wealth
office had been installed, to become equip- Award finalists, they heard reports from win-
61
 Follow the Green Arrow
Mrs. Henley L. Guild with Mrs. Talley.
ners and finalists in 1987 and 1988.
After luncheon at Oakwood with Mrs.
Carlton L. Byrd (Clare) and Mrs. Richard F.
Hall, Jr. (Pete), Meadville with Mrs. Henry P.
Custis, Jr. (Linda), or Bailywicke with Mrs.
Mildred M. Scarborough, participants visited
Kerr Place, headquarters of the Eastern Shore
Historical Society and a recent 0982) restora-
tion of The GCV. Cocktails at Kendall Grove
Point, home of Mr. and Mrs. C. A Turner, Jr.
(Cecile), in Eastville, were followed by a ban-
quet at Eyre Hall. Furlong Baldwin, whose
family has owned Eyre Hall since the 18th
century, opens the mansion for Historic Gar-
den Week each year, and was present to wel-
come guests that evening. Although the house
was crammed upstairs and down with prop-
erly appointed round tables, its spirit of el-
egance was not lost. The announcement that
The Garden Club of the Eastern Shore had
won the 1989 Common Wealth Award seemed
particularly fitting in such surroundings.
Thursday's round-table discussions on
individual club programs were stimulating,
with excellent give-and-take, allowing presi-
dents to share and take home ideas for enrich-
ing members' minds and clubs' coffers alike.
The members of the Restoration Com-
62
mittee at the Board of
Governors' Meeting
car-pooled to meet the
rest of the Committee in
Annapolis, where they
planned tours as well as
the regular quarterly
Committee meeting.
Mrs. Talley, who was
driving, stuffed The
Garden Club of Virginia
gavel with her papers in
the back seat. When she
stopped to let Mrs.
George M. Cochran
(Lee) out at her bed-
and-breakfast, the gavel
came to the floor with
Mrs. Cochran's luggage
and somehow became
lodged in the door as it
closed. The gavel is
made of chestnut from a tree at Kenmore and
Mrs. Talley was crushed along with its handle.
She remembers the moment as the low point
in her term. In a bit ofluck, the owner of the
bed-and-breakfast was a handyman who in-
sisted on taking the gavel to see ifhe could fix
it. He could, and did.
The 1989 Conservation Forum, held
Wednesday, November 1, at the Common-
wealth Club, addressed air quality and featured
Environmental Defense Fund National Direc-
tor Fred Krupp, an authority on global warm-
ing.
The winter meeting of The GCVBoard
of Directors was held Thursday, January 18,
1990, at the Kent-Valentine House, with Mrs.
Guild and Mrs. Murphy as hostesses. "Per-
haps the happiest report I have for you today
comes from the lawyer representing our in-
surance company in the suit against The Gar-
den Club of Virginia," Mrs. Talley said, in her
first mention of the matter on record. "Al-
though there are still some loose ends to be
tied, it appears certain that the judgment of
last August, that the plaintiff has no case, will
stand. This judgment will be useful to The
Garden Club of Virginia."
There were additional encouraging as-
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents
pects at that meeting. The Flower Shows
Committee had made several important policy
changes at its December 7, 1989, meeting, ac-
cording to Mrs. Hugh]. Hagan, Jr. (Alice),
Committee liaison. These included deleting
the professional classification listed in show
schedules for The GCV members; removing
the Inter-Club Class from consideration for
the Tri-Color Award at all three shows, and
adding a fourth team of judges at each show,
in or~er to give judges more opportunities for
experience.
Mrs. Hopkins reported that the Restora-
tion Committee, as it had announced at the
Conservation Forum, made a $10,000 dona-
tion to replace trees destroyed by Hurricane
Hugo in Charleston. "When Mr. Favretti re-
turned from the area," Mrs. Hopkins said, "he
was so enthusiastic about the two possible
projects presented to him, telephone calls were
made and the Committee, without waiting for
its winter meeting unanimously accepted his
recommendations. A donation of $8,000 was
given to fund LowCountry RELEAF's cer-
emonial Arbor Day tree planting throughout
the tri-county area ....A gift of $2,000 was made
to the Confederate Home and College to re-
place the gigantic elm and Deodar cedar in
the Home's courtyard and garden, which is
used as a mini-park by 12,000 to 20,000 of
Charleston's citizens and visitors each year; any
money left will be used to replace other plants
in the borders. In addition, Mr. Favretti is
providing a landscape plan for the restoration
of the Home's courtyard."
Mrs. Hopkins reported also a gift from
theAPVAin excess of$28,000 for the Bacon's
Castle work. This gift consisted of a grant
from the Scott Foundation and a donation in
memory of John W. Riely. Mrs. Hopkins
noted that Dr. Thomas W. Murrell, Jr. was
chiefly responsible for the gift. She asked the
Board's endorsement of new work at the
Woodrow Wilson Birthplace in Staunton to
fund landscaping of the connector area be-
tween the Woodrow Wilson House complex
and the newly acquired administration build-
ing adjacent to it.
Mrs. Carter outlined plans for General
Assembly Day in February and received Board
63
approval to support three recycling bills, three
bills relating to Chesapeake Bay oil drilling, a
bill to protect wetlands, a bill to establish a
study commission on Scenic Highways and
Byways, and two national recycling bills.
Bessie Carter's careful study of such bills, and
others she did not recommend, had been a
hallmark of her widely admired Chairmanship
of the Conservation and Beautification Com-
mittee. Her manner in presenting these leg-
islative matters, calm and authoritative,
charming and intelligent, did much to explain
her success in working with legislators in Vir-
ginia and in Washington.
At the end of the winter Board of Direc-
tors' Meeting, Mrs. Talley proposed a toast to
the next President of The Garden Club of
Virginia and announced the nomination of
Mrs. Henley L. Guild to this office.
Among several qualified candidates Mrs.
Clarkie Patterson] ester of Lynchburg, a mem-
ber of the Hillside Garden Club, was chosen
editor of The JOURNAL and UPDATE.
Mrs. Talley dug the first sod when The Gar-
den Club of Alexandria planted a Cornus
kousa at the American Horticultural Society
headquarters, River Farm, in her honor.
Spring weather in January and February, and
winter in March, demolished daffodils state-
wide, but The Mill Mountain Garden Club
produced a splendid, although smaller-than-
usual, 56th Annual GCV Daffodil Show.
The GCVBoard of Directors met Thurs-
day, May 9, at the home of Mrs. Raymond H.
Brown in Hampton. Among reports abbrevi-
ated at the Annual Meeting the next day was
that of Mrs. William C. Trenary III, liaison to
the Historian and Custodian of Records. The
Historian and Curator of Records, Mrs. Jere
M. H. Willis, had asked Lee Langston-
Harrison, curator of the James Monroe Mu-
seum in Fredericksburg, to visit the Kent-Val-
entine vault and make recommendations about
the preservation of The GCV records. Mrs.
Langston-Harrison was given permission by
Mary Washington College, administrator of
the Monroe Museum, to consult without
charge. "On March 27, 1990, Barbara Willis
and Lee Langston-Harrison spent several
hours in the Kent-Valentine House in the vault
 Follow the Green Arrow
Gardens & Landscapes of Virginia: photography
by Richard Cheek, text by Rudy]. Favretti.
and in the third floor records room," Mrs.
Trenary reported. "Mrs. Langston-Harrison
wrote a six-page report on archival recommen-
dations, ending with 'Don't despair-The
Club's records are in better condition than
most!"'
After a festive gathering on the patio of
the Radisson Hotel, with an hors d'oeuvres
table that resembled a banquet, most of the
participants in the 70th Annual Meeting of
The GCV went on to a Dutch-treat dinner at
the James River Country Club.
Mrs. Talley's report that opened the busi-
ness meeting the next morning was a summary
of the past two years. She cited especially two
banner Historic Garden Weeks and four suc-
cessful restoration projects; maintenance and
a new highboy at the Kent-Valentine House;
computer, postage meter and upgraded tele-
phone system for Historic Garden Week; work
in conservation, particularly support for the
64
establishment of the Virginia Commission on
Population Growth and Development; newly
formatted JOURNAL and UPDATE, and
now a new Editor.
In her Conservation Committee report,
Mrs. Carter congratulated a number of clubs
on activities from city-wide recycling to the
establishment of summer nature camps, from
adopting a highway to publishing a conserva-
tion brochure to be distributed during His-
toric Garden Week. Mrs. Varner, reporting
for the Finance Committee, recommended a
budget of $51,735, and said, "Ten years ago
our budget was $30,485. From thattime The
Club has seen a $21,2 50 increase and a $5 dues
raise. Quite a few categories have more than
doubled-many have remained the same. Our
largest increase has been Publications. Insur-
ance was $3 ,000 and is now $7 ,000. Audit was
$2,000andisnow$5,250. In the 1980-81 bud-
get we were also repaying past budget deficits
-$5,485 worth. We raised the dues then and
again now."
Mary Foster pointed with pride to initial
gross Historic Garden Week receipts of
$349,492.23, and Lula Hopkins recommended
two new properties for landscape restoration:
additional work at the Woodrow Wilson
House endorsed by the Board of Directors in
January, and the two-and-a-half-acre walled
garden at Montpelier, home of James Madi-
son. Mr. Favretti explained the work that
would be done at both sites, which was unani-
mously adopted.
The group welcomed David West, Cura-
tor of Horticulture at the Virginia Living Mu-
seum, who gave a colorful presentation about
wildflowers. The meeting was recessed for
luncheons in the homes of members and an
afternoon tour of the Virginia Living Museum,
where an ailing bald eagle being nursed back
to health was an exhibit all will remember.
Sovran Bank was host to a lavish banquet at
the Radisson, where not one but two Massie
Medals were awarded, to Mrs. Lucius J.
Kellam, of the Garden Club of the Eastern
Shore, and Mrs. J. Robert Walker (Edith) of
The Martinsville Garden Club. For its land-
mark Operation Plant-a-Tree, The
Lynchburg Garden Club received the deLacy
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents
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, say-
ing, "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 ex-
citing future with you and your club mem-
bers 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 pas-
sion 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, 1967-
1969, 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 well-
mended 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."
65
THE GARDEN CLUB OF VIRGINIA
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 Kent-
Valentine House and furnish it with their
handsome iron furniture. The porch was com-
pleted in 1992 and adds a touch of elegance to
the house.
Possible changes in the Board of Gover-
nors' 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 Hon-
orary Member of The Garden Club of Vir-
ginia.
Long-Range Planning Committee Chair-
men 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 long-
range 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
 Follow the Grem Arrow
tower wing would include necessary and re-
quired 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-Val-
entine House was another aspect of the mas-
ter 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, profes-
sor 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 Gar-
den 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 Rec-
ognition of 60 years of Historic Garden Week
in Virginia was given to The Garden Club of
Virginia.
Among the outstanding gifts to the Kent-
Valentine 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 gar-
den 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. HENLEY L. GUILD
President
The Garden Club of Virginia
1990-1992
To know Nancy Talley is to admire her.
She is poised, articulate, and superbly orga-
nized. Her keen mind and exceptional com-
mand of the English language make her a natu-
ral leader. She can be proud of her many con-
tributions to further the goals of The Garden
66
Club of Virginia.
At the 70th Annual Meeting of The Gar-
den Club of Virginia in Newport News May
10, 1990, Mrs. Henley L. Guild accepted the
gavel and diamond pin from outgoing Presi-
dent, Mrs. Lilburn T. Talley.
Virginia
Guild, past
president of
The Hunting
Creek Garden
Club, was well
known to most
of the members
of The Garden
Club of Virginia
as she had been
giving talks to
other member
clubs for a long
time on flower
shows, flower
arranging, and
the restorations
of The GCV.
In July the Mrs. Hmley L. Guild
new Board of
Directors of The Garden Club of Virginia
traveled with husbands to Mountain Lake for
its first meeting. While the ladies carried on
the business of The GCV, husbands relaxed
in the serenity of this beautiful part of the
Commonwealth.
During the summer the Editorial Board
worked with Clarkie Jester, the new editor of
The JOURNAL and UPDATE, to prepare
The JOURNAL for publication. To the de-
light of the entire membership, this informa-
tive magazine with a new look arrived in our
mailboxes in September.
The Restoration Committee met in the
Tidewater Area inJulywith visits to the Adam
Thoroughgood House, Portsmouth Court-
house, Smith's Fort, and Bacon's Castle.
With the spectacular GCV Lily Show in
June sponsored by The Garden Club of War-
ren County still a fond memory, October
found us at Westminster-Canterbury in
Irvington for the 54th Annual Rose Show clev-
erly produced by The Garden Club of the
 The Garden Club ofVtrgina Presidents

Northern Neck.
On October 7 Mrs. Guild
presided over the presentation of
the 33rd restoration of The Gar-
den Club of Virginia, The Grace
Arents Garden, at the Lewis
Ginter Botanical Garden,
Bloemendaal. Here her three-
month old granddaughter, Molly
Adair Guild, attended her first
event of The GCV and promptly
upstaged her grandmother.
The 71st Board of Gover-
nors' Meeting of The GCV was
sponsored by the Leesburg Gar-
den Club October 16, 17, and 18.
The Board of Directors was wel- Mrs. Richard J. Cabaniss receives an award from Mrs. Guild at
corned at a delicious luncheon the 1990 Rose Show. ·
followed by a meeting Tuesday
afternoon at the home of Mrs. 0. Leland thor of Growing Up and Good Times.
Mahan. That evening everyone was enter- The very next week the 32nd Annual
tained at small dinner parties in the homes of Conservation Forum was held at the Com-
club members - a real treat. monwealth Club in Richmond with a record
Wednesday morning Mrs. Guild called on attendance of 300. Later that same week the
former President Ellen Godwin (Mrs. James Restoration Committee met in Charlottesville
G. Godwin) for a tribute to Mrs. F. Whitney with visits to Monticello and the Pavilion
Godwin, President of The Garden Club of Gardens at the University of Virginia. That
Virginia 1956-1958, who died August 11, evening the Committee was entertained by
1990. In her tribute, Ellen said, "She was Mrs. Hunter H. McGuire,] r. (Alice), at Royal
charming, witty and loved to dance and sing. Orchard. As it happened the date was Octo-
She had more beaux at 70 than most girls did ber 31, Halloween, and the entire Committee
at 17, for she loved attention and was a master including Mr. Favretti, the Landscape Archi-
at getting it." tect for The Garden Club of Virginia, ap-
1990 proved to be a record year for His- peared for dinner in costume! A great time
toric Garden Week. Mrs. Merritt W Foster, was had by all.
Jr. (Mary), Chairman, reported a final gross Just as clubs were winding down for the
figure of $3 64, 706.88. up-coming holidays the President caused some
Before recessing for lunch and an after- excitement when she underwent emergency
noon tour of Oatlands Plantation Mrs. Will- heart surgery in November. Mrs. W Tayloe
iam L. Roberts (Gale), Common Wealth Murphy,Jr. (Helen), First Vice President, and
Awards Chairman, announced that "Wild- Mrs. Robert C. Wood ill (Mina), Second Vice
flowers by the Sea,'' a project of The Virginia President, were on stand-by until Mrs. Guild
Beach Garden Club had won the Common had fully recovered in time to preside at the
Wealth Award. Since 1979, this award had Winter Board of Directors Meeting in Janu-
helped launch eighteen club projects through- ary 1991. At this meeting the Board voted to
out the state. affiliate The GCV Daffodil Show with the
Guest speaker at the Awards Dinner at American Daffodil Society at the request of
Rockland, home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry B. R. Patricia Crenshaw (Mrs.Joel Crenshaw), Daf-
Brown, was Russell Baker, columnist, New fodil Test Chairman.
York Times, and Pulitzer Prize winning au- Mrs. H. Gordon Leggett,Jr., Restoration

67
 Follow'the Green Arrow
Mrs. Herbert L. Aman III, Mrs. Guild and Mrs. Edward A. Barham, Jr. at Judging School.
Chairman, reported that Mr. Richard Cheek
would begin photographing in the spring for
the new book to be published by the Restora-
tion Committee.
In March the Artistic Judging School was
held at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in
Richmond. April was a busy time with The
GCV Daffodil Show sponsored by The Mill
Mountain Garden Club where the Roanoke
ladies handled 9 51 stems of horticulture and
66 gorgeous arrangemnts. The gross proceeds
for Historic Garden Week in 1991 were
$395,646.98 in spite of the torrents of rain in
some areas. We were awed by the beauty of
acres of trillium in bloom at the Horticulture
Field Day at Thompson Wildlife Manage-
ment Area in Linden.
On May 3rd, Mrs. Guild took part in the
ceremony to commemorate the opening of the
new museum at the Woodrow Wilson Birth-
place in Staunton. Landscaping the museum
was the third major garden improvement
project provided to the Birthplace by The
Garden Club of Vlrginia.
The Virginia Beach Garden Club spon-
sored the 71st Annual Meeting of The Gar-
den Club of Virginia May 14, 15, 16. Co-
chairmen, Anne Gilliam (Mrs. William L.
Gilliam, Jr.) and Betty Jo Bruce (Mrs. E.
Carruthers Bruce) left no stone unturned to
68
make everyone welcome. T he Board met at
the home of Mrs. Nicholas G. Wilson ill for
a delicious lunch and long afternoon meet-
ing.
Lucy Ellett (Mrs. Frank T. Ellett), Con-
servation Chairman, made a motion that The
GCV adopt a resolution strongly supporting
energy policies, on both the state and the na-
tional level, that encourage conservation, en-
ergy efficiency, and development of renewable
energy sources. The motion passed.
Mina Wood, Second Vice President, re-
ported 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 Ma-
rine Science Museum, members had the op-
portunity 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 re-
muneration.
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents
Mrs. John H. Bocock.
Pat Leggett, Restoration Committee
Chairman, presented a new project for the
membership's approval: to restore a 60-foot
section of the north wall in the garden at
Oatlands Plantation in Leesburg. The wall,
thought to have been
designed by Thomas
Jefferson, is of great his-
toric interest in the an-
nals of Virginia garden
history.
After a wonderful
afternoon, beginning
with a luncheon at the
Royster Cottage and
ending with a cruise of
Linkhorn Bay, the group
returned to the hotel to
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 cli-
max of the evening was
the awarding of The GCV's highest honors.
A very surprised and disbelieving Jean Printz,
a former President of The GCVand a mem-
ber of the Rivanna Garden Club for 31 years,
was the recipient of the Massie Medal for her
outstanding work in gardening and the com-
munity. An equally surprised Bessie Bocock
Carter (Mrs. Robert Carter) was awarded the
deLacy Gray Medal for championing Envi-
ronmental Action in Virginia. Bessie's mother,
Mrs.John H. Bocock, had received the medal
69
in 1966.
George Mason University was the scene
of The GCV 1991 Lily Show beautifully
staged by the Garden Club of Fai~fax. That
same morning was the presentation of the
landscape setting provided by The GCV to
Carlyle House, a property of the Northern
Virginia Regional Park Authority.
The summer meeting of The GCV Board
of Directors was held in Charlottesville. The
Board met at Farmington with hostesses Ellen
Godwin, Lois Mengel (Mrs. Paul W Mengel),
and Bessie Carter. Including husbands at this
meeting had become a tradition over the years.
This year the President's husband, Henley
Guild, designed golf hats for all the members
of the "GCV Men's Auxiliary."
Since this year marked the 20th Anniver-
sary of the purchase of the Kent-Valentine
House, the Kent-Valentine House Commit-
tee decided to seek the advice of John G.
Zehmer, Executive Director of the Historic
Richmond Foundation. Mr. Zehmer stressed
the importance of planning for all the future
use at the time a structure's physical and mas-
ter plan is formulated. He indicated that a
"team project is absolutely vital" and referred
to a team as an architect, engineer, and con-
tractor. The Committee voted to pursue the
formulation of a master plan and to use the
interest from the General Maintenance Fund
for the necessary study and survey by Taylor
and Parrish, Inc. of the Kent-Valentine House
structure and all systems. The study and sur-
 Follow the Green Arrow
vey were made during the sum-
mer months when the house was
closed.
Publications Committee liai-
son, Anne Rowe (Mrs. Josiah P.
Rowe III), informed the Board
that The GCV Members Hand-
book was obsolete. She was au-
thorized to work on a revision to
be completed in the spring.
Helen Murphy announced
that the topic for the presidents'
Round-Table Discussion at The
GCVBoardofGovernors' Meet-
ing in October would be "How Mrs. Guild and Mrs. Arthur P. Sibold, Jr., 1991 Conservation
the Kent-Valentine House can Forum.
better serve The GCV Membership."
That evening we joined Bobby and Bessie
Carter at their home, Redlands, for cocktails
and dinner, a highlight of the meeting.
A number of fall meetings were scheduled
to take place in The Kent-Valentine House.
The club historians met with Millicent West,
Historian and Custodian of Records, for an
inspiring meeting with guest speaker, Mrs.
Catha Grace Rambusch, Curator and Direc-
tor of Wave Hill, which houses "The Catalog
of Landscape Records in the United States."
Mrs. Rambusch emphasized the importance
of keeping records of an organization, and the
club historians returned home with a clearer
idea of what was expected of a club historian. highly successful 1991 Tour. At the end of
In September Mrs. Guild gave a luncheon
for member club presidents. For some it was
their first visit to the Kent-Valentine House
where they were treated to a tour and history
of the house by Mary Frances Flowers (Mrs.
George H. Flowers, Jr.), Honorary President
of The GCV.
The following week all club conservation
chairmen were invited to the house for a work-
shop. These popular workshops are an im-
portant means of communication for environ-
mental ideas.
Franklin was the site of the 72nd Board
of Governors' Meeting of The Garden Club
of Virginia October 8, 9, 10. The Board of
Directors gathered at noon for a delicious lun-
cheon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W: M.
Camp,Jr. before the afternoon business meet-
70
mg.
All Board of Governors participants en-
joyed an informal dinner in the garden at the
Courtland home of Mr. and Mrs. J. Matthew
Pope. The evening was brisk with a bonfire,
hot barbecue, and blue grass music.
At the end of the business meeting the
next morning, the Chairman of the Common
Wealth Award Committee announced that the
winner of the Common Wealth Award was the
project of The Huntington Garden Club for
its Backyard Habitat Educational Garden at
the Virginia Living Museum.
Mrs. St.Julian Oppenhimer,Jr. (Emma),
Historic Garden Week Chairman, reported a
her report, she read the following quote from
the Virginia Division of Tourism: "The Vir-
ginia Division of Tourism is keenly aware of
the huge positive tourism and economic de-
velopment impact that Historic Garden Week
has on the Commonwealth and we look for-
ward to continuing our mutually beneficial re-
lationship."
Fallowing the meeting, members boarded
buses for a luncheon at the Smithfield Station
Marina. After lunch we had a special tour of
the house and garden at Bacon's Castle. Cock-
tails at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hanes Byerly
and a banquet at the Cypress Cove County
Club climaxed a long and busy day.
At the morning meeting the next day, Mrs.
George H. Flowers, Jr. gave an informative
history of the acquisition of the Kent-Valen-
 The Gardm Club of Virgina Presidmts

tine House by The GCV in 1971. Mrs. Flow- Jam es Bland Martin. Teen Martin was the
ers said: "In spite of its growth in importance, 22nd President of The Garden Club of Vir-
there are only two major changes in The Gar- ginia and the author of Follow the Grem Ar-
den 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
1929 and using revenue from this yearly will directed that The GCV receive such items
project to restore historic Virginia gardens. of furnishings in their home as desired for use
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 ven- 1978, Teen wrote; "The greatest joy in my life,
tures are ahead for us!" Following Mrs. Flow- aside 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-Valen- and it will give me great satisfaction to have
tine House. the things I love come to rest at the Kent-Val-
The GCV Board of Directors met in entine House." The will further stated that a
Richmond inJ anuary 1992. Bessie Carter, Li- cash amount would be left to the Past Presi-
aison to the Admissions Committee, moved dents' Fund of The GCV.
that The Garden Club of Virginia invite the Mrs. Guild then announced that the
Junior Garden Club of Norfolk to member- Board of Directors had authorized her to ap-
ship. The motion carried and would be taken point a Long-Range Planning Committee to
to The GCV Annual Meeting in May as a rec- work 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 in-
crease 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 Nominat-
ing 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
rare treat. plan for the Kent-Valentine House. Mrs.
In her report to the membership, Mrs. George M. Cochran (Lee) and Mrs. Richard
Guild told of a wonderful and generous be- Catlett, Jr. (Barbara), were appointed Chair-
quest to The GCV from the estate of Mrs. men of the Committee.
71
 Follow the Green Arrow
Mrs. Guild and Mrs. W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr.
She said surely among the accomplish-
ments 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 meet-
ing.
At the banquet at the Boonsboro Coun-
try 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 dem-
onstrated a love for the natural environment
and a responsibility for its preservation.
The speakers the following morning were
Barbara Hill, President of Sweet Briar Col-
lege, and Linda Koch Lorimer, President of
Randolph-Macon Woman's College. They
spoke on women's education.
A motion was made that the slate pre-
sented by the Nominating Committee be ac-
cepted and the Secretary be instructed to cast
a unanimous ballot.
In her introduction of the new President,
72
Mrs. Guild told the member-
ship; "You have chosen well-
her keen mind, unyeilding in-
tegrity, and wonderful sense of
humor give Helen the steady
hand to take the helm for the
next two years." In presenting
Mrs. Murphy with the gavel
Mrs. Guild said; "And now,
Helen, it is with mixed emo-
tions that I turn over to you the
72nd Annual Meeting of The
Garden Club of Virginia, and
with it our admiration, our sup-
port and our love."
MRS. W. TAYLOE
MURPHY, JR.
President
The Garden Club of Virginia
1992-1994
When Mrs. Lilburn T.
Talley (Nancy) introduced the
new President of The Garden Club of Vir-
ginia, Mrs. Henley L. Guild (Virginia), to the
Annual Meeting in Hampton in May of 1990,
she said in part: "She is a Barbara Bush type
who knits beautifully, cooks expertly, grows
fine flowers and sews clothes a designer would
be proud to wear-I suspect she understood
more than most of us what Mrs. Bush told the
Wellesley seniors last week: 'If I'd done any
more I'd have died.'" Mrs. Guild, expert
flower arranger and artistic judge, supplier of
exquisite dried flower arrangements for the
State Department, and popular lecturer, held
many chairmanships and offices in The Gar-
den Club of Virginia and was an extremely
popular choice to be President. Shortly after
her election, she said, "I consider this the
greatest honor I have ever received .... As a
native Vrrginian, I was born knowing about
The Garden Club of Virginia." Her succes-
sor, Mrs. W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr. (Helen) said
of her: "She is the personification of grace and
class. In her unpretentious way, she has led
The Garden Club of Virginia during the past
two years, and her very evident love for the
organization is matched by its members' de-
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents
Mrs. W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr. with her mother Mrs. George L. Turner Mrs.James B. Murray (Bunny),
and her sister Mrs. Benjamin W. Mears, Jr.
votion to her."
Mrs. Murphy's club, of which she was a
founding member, The Garden Club of The
Northern Neck, received the Massie Medal
at the banquet the night before she was elected
President of The Garden Club of Virginia
which made the 1992 Annual Meeting even
more special for her. Her mother, Mrs.
George L. Turner (Wilson) a charter mem-
ber of The Boxwood Garden Club, and her
sister, Mrs. Benjamin W. Mears, Jr. (Katty),
President of The GCV 1984-1986, were
present to see Mrs. Turner's second daughter
receive the gavel. Mrs. Murphy not only ac-
knowledged their presence, but also attributed
to them her interest in The Garden Club of
Virginia. In her remarks Mrs. Murphy said,
"This club is much like a family in that I have
a strong sense that its members are as anxious
for me to succeed as I am." She continued to
feel this support throughout her term and cite
its responsibility for any successes she might
have enjoyed.
The GCV Lily Show, sponsored by The
Garden Club of Fairfax, was Mrs. Murphy~
first big, official function as President. Ad-
73
mitring that she knew very little
about Flower Shows, she re-
quested, and received, permis-
sion from the Chairman, Mrs.
James F. Tyler (Lynn), to stay
on the floor during the judg-
ing. She continued this prac-
tice for all of the shows during
her term, and not only did she
learn a great deal, but also the
Flower Shows Committee was
most appreciative of her inter-
est in this important aspect of
TheGCV.
The Summer Board Meet-
ing in 1992 was held at
Farmington Country Club in
Charlottesville. On Friday
evening we had cocktails in
Earlysville at Panorama Farms,
home of The Honorable and
and dinner in Charlottesville at
the home of a gracious Past
President of The GCV, Miss Jean Printz. Sat-
urday night we were the guests of Mr. and Mrs.
Robert Carter, Jr. (Bessie) at Redlands. In
between we swam in the pool, enjoyed get-
ting to know the members of the "Men's Aux-
iliary" (our supportive husbands), and had a
meeting of the Board. In her report Mrs.
Murphy said that a fantastic par~ had been
given in her honor by The Garden Club of
the Northern Neck at which she received a
leather briefcase, a variety of American holly
called "Miss Helen," and a pair of running
shoes decorated with jewels and flowers!
Mrs. H. Gordon Leggett, Jr. (Pat), First
Vice President, reported on the first meeting
of the Kent-Valentine House Long-Range
Planning Committee with Mrs. George M.
Cochran (Lee) and Mrs. Richard H. Catlett,
Jr. (Barbara) Co-Chairmen. She said, "The
Committee is in consultation with three ex-
perts: Mr. Fred Cox, architect with the firm
Marcellus Wright Cox and Smith; Mr. Jack
Zehmer, Executive Director of the Historic
Richmond Foundation; and Peter Knowles,
President of Taylor and Parrish, Inc. which
has been in charge of past repairs to the
 Follow the Greerz Arrow
house". Among the issues to be considered
by this Committee were the installation of an
elevator, handicapped access, and improved
usage of space to accommodate The GCV
needs.
Mrs. Leggett also reported that "Mrs.
James Bland Martin in her will gave The Gar-
den Club of Virginia first choice of her home
furnishings, including a lovely collection of
wrought-iron furniture. She also left a gift of
$2 5,000. Because of these two acquisitions, it
was decided Phase I of the Long-Range Plan
would be to enclose the west porch."
Mrs. Murphy had known for months of
Mrs.]. Robert Massie, Jr. (Charlotte's) desire
to retire as Editor of the Guidebook and Di-
rector of Publicity for Historic Garden Week.
Mrs. Massie had given 27 years of dedicated
service to The Garden Club of Virginia. The
Chairman of the Historic Garden Week Com-
mittee, Mrs. St. Julian Oppenhimer, Jr.
(Emma) announced at the July meeting that
Mrs. Edwin P. Munson (Suzanne) had been
hired, and the Board voted to change the By-
laws so that her title would be Editor of the
Guidebook and Executive Director of Historic
Garden Week. In September a lunch was
given in Mrs. Massie's honor at the Common-
wealth Club in Richmond, and she was pre-
sented with a pearl necklace with a gold disk
bearing the seal of The Garden Club of Vir-
ginia in the center.
At the Board of Directors' Meeting at the
home of Mrs.]. H. Tyler Wilson (Bambe) near
Warrenton in October 1992, Mrs. Murphy
announced the death of one of our "Great
Ladies," Mrs. Benjamin F. Parrott, President
of The Garden Club of Virginia from 1966 to
1968. She told the Board that The Club fol-
lowed the tradition of giving the altar flowers
at the funeral. The next day Mrs. John D.
Varner, Past President, gave a lovely tribute
to Mrs. Parrott.
The liaison to the Kent-Valentine House
Committee, Mrs. Talley, announced that the
House Chairman, Mrs. George H. Flowers,
Jr. (Mary Frances) had reluctantly agreed to
raise to $5 the price of the delicious lunches
at the house.
In 1992 the Board of Governors met in
74
Virginia's "Hunt Country" at Airlie near
Warrenton and enjoyed three days of perfect
fall weather. After lovely dinners at private
homes on Tuesday evening, Mrs. Murphy an-
nounced at the business meeting the next day
that if she "had to chose one word to describe
the office of the President of The Garden Club
ofVirginia, it would be 'fun'." She hoped that
it was obvious how much she was enjoying her
new job.
Mrs. Charles H. Seilheimer, Jr. (Mary
Lou) wore many hats at the 73rd Board of
Governors' Meeting. She was chairman of the
Meeting, hostess for a dinner at her gorgeous
home on Tuesday night, and, as The Garden
Club of Virginia Horticulture Chairman, in
charge of the plant exchange. She announced
in her report that the Horticulture Field Day
would be at James Madison University in
March 1993. We were invited to "see an ex-
hibit from the British Museum of thirty her-
barium specimens collected in Virginia in the
early 1700s by the botanist, James Clayton."
The plans also included two speakers of un-
usual intellectual calibre, a box lunch, and a
tour of the Jam es Madison Arboretum.
Various Chairmen reported that Historic
Garden Week continues to bring in record
sums ($419,795.24), that Virginia Shepherd,
Editor of Virginia Wildlife, spoke to the Pub-
lications Workshop, and that the member club
presidents had voted the Common Wealth
Award of $5,000 to the landscaping and beau-
tification at Shalom et Benedictus project of
Winchester-Clarke Garden Club and $1500
to the Central Rappahannock Regional Li-
brary, a project of the Rappahannock Valley
Garden Club.
After a delicious lunch at Fauquier Springs
Country Club, the group was treated to a tour
of three fascinating houses: North Cliff,
Farley, and Salubria, and then the banquet at
Airlie. One can be assured of being well-fed
at Garden Club meetings.
The business meeting the next day was
held in a church, the Warrenton Bible Fellow-
ship, and Mrs. Murphy said that it was the most
unusual place in which she had presided over a
meeting since she did so on board the "Miss
Ann" in the middle of the Rappahannock River
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents
Mrs. Murphy ready for the famous James River
Raft Trip.
when she was president of The Garden Club of
the Northern Neck.
Club presidents made reports on "Inno-
vative Ideas for Annual and Board of Gover-
nors' Meetings" and those present were par-
ticularly charmed by the cleverness and vivac-
ity of Mrs. Townsend Brown, Jr. (Candy),
President of Harborfront Garden Club, our
brand new member club. We had high ex-
pectations for these young Norfolk women
and were certainly not disappointed. After a
quick box lunch, many of us joined the Resto-
ration Committee as it presented a restored
wall to Oatlands, Inc., a part of the National
Trust for Historic Preservation. A garden
party followed in one of Virginia's most de-
lightful gardens on one of the prettiest days
of the year.
Mrs. Murphy's husband served in the Vir-
ginia House of Delegates while she was Presi-
dent of The GCV. She walked the two short
blocks from the Jefferson Hotel where she was
75
staying for the General Assembly Session to
preside over the January 1993 Board Meeting
at the Kent-Valentine House. The Board was
pleased to see the new FAX machine in the
Garden Week office and to learn that the first
message received was from Kenmore.
Mrs. Murray reported that the Conser-
vation Forum held in November was so suc-
cessful financially that our dues as a member
of the Steering Committee of the Virginia En-
vironmental Network could be paid from the
proceeds. Saying that "there is certain uncer-
tainty about any individual piece of legisla-
tion," she asked that the Board not support
certain specific bills, but broad concepts such
as recycling and "standing" which she so ably
explained to us. Mrs. Murray's dedication to
and vast knowledge of conservation, together
with her familiarity with the environmental
community and gracious manner, made her a
well-respected and popular Conservation
Chairman.
Mrs. Talley's motion that the President
appoint an ad hoc Committee to study the pos-
sibility of a sequel to Follow the Green Arrow
passed. Mrs. Leggett reported on the recom-
mendations of a committee which studied ways
to lessen the financial burden of Member
Clubs when sponsoring Annual or Board of
Governors' Meetings. The Board voted to
have prepaid "Dutch Treat" dinners on the
first night of the Meetings and to raise the
registration fee to $100 for two-night Meet-
ings.
Later in January of 1993 during the Leg-
islative Field Day, Mrs. Murphy and Mrs.
Oppenhimer stood in the center aisle of the
House of Delegates to receive not only a reso-
lution commending the 60th Anniversary of
Historic Garden Week, but also a standing
ovation for The Garden Club of Virginia as
well. It was a thrilling moment!
The Artistic Judging School at the Vir-
ginia Museum of Fine Arts featured abstract
and free form taught by Dr. David Diller,
noted husband of our Lily Test Chairman.
Many ladies braved pouring rain to attend and
learn.
The Conservation Committee made the
front page of the Richmond Times-Dispatch
 Follow the Green Arrow
when members donned wet suits at the Kent-
Valentine 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 conser-
vation 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 Gar-
den Club of Virginia which she heard.
One of the most embarrassing moments
of Mrs. Murphy's term (if not of her life) oc-
curred 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 mem-
bers 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 com-
pleted 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 mem-
bers went to a tea in Staunton to celebrate 60
years of The Garden Club of Virginia's rela-
tionship with Woodrow Wilson's Birthplace
and also to Orange County for the presenta-
tion 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 Vir-
ginia 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-chair-
men, the two-day event was pure pleasure.
There was even enough money left over that
76
a sizable contribution was made to the Kent-
Valentine Long-Range Plan Fund!
The Board met at the charming home of
Mrs. John Paul C. Hanbury. A well-known
hybridizer of lilies, one of the country's top
judges, and a great friend of The Garden Club
of Virginia, Mr. Ron Chiabotta, was elected
an Honorary Member of our organization.
Mrs. Charles H. Schutte, Jr. (Betty) and
her Committee which had been exploring the
possibility of a sequel to Follow the Green Ar-
row were authorized to go forward to publi-
cation. The Restoration Committee Chair-
man, Mrs. Mears, reported that "the challenge
to restore the three sites voted on by you at a
meeting of the Board a year ago had been ac-
complished. These were the public garden of
Robert E. Lee House at Washington and Lee
University, the grounds at Belmont, and the
wilderness walk at Kenmore."
The informal dinner on a cruise boat, to
which we walked from our hotel, was an ex-
citing way to begin the Annual Meeting. The
next morning at the business meeting, the
Executive Director of Historic Garden Week,
Mrs. Munson, told us that each homeowner
had received a letter from the Virginia Divi-
sion of Tourism expressing its gratitude for
participation in this springtime event. Its bill-
ing as "America's Largest Open House" had
been picked up by the media nationwide, and
visitors came from many states and countries.
The Chairmen of the Kent-Valentine
House Committee, Mrs. Flowers, announced
a gift of 25 serving pieces of Georg Jensen sil-
ver from Mrs. Clayton B. Ethridge, a mem-
ber of The Garden Club of Fairfax then liv-
ing in Texas. She had made other nice gifts to
The Garden Club of Virginia, including the
exquisite diamond pin which is worn by the
President during her term.
The will of Mrs. James W. Denton,
deLacy Gray Medal for Conservation winner
from Warren County, left a collection of 1100
slides of wildflowers to her club, and at the
Annual Meeting, the president of The Gar-
den Club of Warren County presented this
valuable gift to The Garden Club of Virginia.
The Honorable William B. Spong, Jr.
gave a delightful talk on the history of Ports-
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents
At the business meeting the next morn-
ing ~s. Cochran, Co-Chairman of the Kent-
Valentine Long-Range Planning Committee,
made a motion "that the membership accept
the conceptual presentation of an elevator
wing addition to the northeast corner of the
Kent-Valentine House." The motion passed,
and Mrs. Cochran assured the membership
that no building would begin before funds
were in hand to pay for it.
The Summer Board Meeting in 1993 was
held at the Princess Anne Country Club in
Virginia Beach. Mrs. Mears reported that the

Mrs. Charles R Urquhart receives the deLacy Gray

Medal from Mrs. James B. Murray.
mouth before our lunches in private homes
and tea at the quarters of the Commandant of
the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. The banquet
that night at one of our restorations, the His-
toric Portsmouth Courthouse, was absolutely
spectacular! The flower arrangements were
smashing and
the food
beautiful as
well as deli-
cious. After
dinner, the
Conservation
Committee
awarded the Mrs. Murphy with her club's ribbon winning en-
deLacy Gray try, 1993 Lily Show.
Medal to
IJ1C::::::::-.-a~-::. Mrs. Charles Restoration Committee had granted Mrs.
· <:J,,. • F. Urquhart, Cochran's request that it underwrite the ma-
M rs. H u~h J. H.agan,.J'. gives J (D t)fr jor portion of the cost of schematic drawings
Mrs. Robert L. Hopkins, Jr; the Fr.anklino. i: om
. r 10ra for the Kent-Valentine House. The new His-
Massze Medal. 1ong lieie 0.me toric Garden Week Chairman, Mrs. Robert
of service in conservation to her garden club A. Bristow (Anne), reported that the title of
and the community. The excitement of Mrs. Mrs. William W. Flowers (Susan) had been
Robert L. Hopkins, Jr. (Lula) being awarded changed from Secretary to Administrator to
the Massie Medal was heightened when we better reflect the many additional duties which
learned that exactly 33 years ago her mother she has so capably and willingly assumed. The
and father were given the same award. The Board adopted a resolution of appreciation for
choice of Mrs. Hopkins was a popular one, our long-time tenant and friend, Mr. Robert
and the Past Presidents, Board, and Commit- W. Stewart, who was quite ill. The Kent-Val-
tee Chairmen gathered in Mrs. Murphy's suite entine House liaison, Mrs. Talley, reported
after the banquet and toasted Lula with a glass that Mrs. John Tyssowski (Catherine), a be-
of Northern Neck wine. loved member of Fauquier and Loudoun Gar-
77
 Follow the Green Arrow
~~'~
Mrs. Murphy, Mrs. Arthur S. Brinkley, Jr., and and Mrs. William T. rectors met at the Old
Tucker, 1993 Rose Show.
den Club, had died at age 103 and left to The
Garden Club of Virginia three pieces of fur-
niture: a small sideboard, an empire chair, and book on which she and her Committee had
a very fine antique sewing table. Earlier she
had given the club $1000 to buy the dining
room chairs now used at the Kent-Valentine
House.
After the meeting some of the Board
Members joined their husbands for a dip in
the ocean before a delightful dinner at the
ocean-front cottage of Mrs. Arthur S. Brinkley,
Jr. (Jody).
Right after Labor Day the calendar once
again was crowded with committee meetings.
The club historians were inspired by Mrs.
Catesby G.Jones,Jr.'s (Spotswood) talk at the
Kent-Valentine House. The Restoration
Committee met at Monticello.
The first Awards Workshop was held at
the Kent-Valentine House in the fall of 1993.
Newly appointed awards chairmen of the
member clubs met to hear about the qualifi-
cations and procedures for proposing candi-
dates for the Massie and deLacy Gray Med-
als, the Common Wealth Award, and the Hor-
ticulture Award of Merit.
At the Fall Workshop of the Conserva-
tion Committee Teri Cofer of the Virginia
Environmental Network described the "tak-
78
ings" issue, and Kat
Imhoff, Executive Di-
rector of the Commis-
sion on Population,
Growth and Develop-
ment, discussed the need
for a strategic plan for
the Commonwealth's
anticipated growth. The
Princess Anne Garden
Club again sponsored
the Rose Show in Vir-
ginia Beach. The theme
was "By the Beautiful
Sea," and a local televi-
sion station gave the
show extensive coverage.
The Board of Di-
Towne Holiday Inn in
Alexandria on October
12, 1993. Mrs.JosiahP.Roweill(Anne)pre-
sented the outstanding new Members' Hand-
worked so hard. Mrs. George A Horkan, Jr.
(Ann Mari), liaison to the Horticulture Com-
mittee, reported that an attempt was being
made to formulate a list of plants which could
be incorporated in the gardens of members to
produce material for our Historic Garden
Week flower arrangers.
Mrs. Mears, Restoration Committee
Chairman, reported that tornadoes had caused
extensive damage at both Prestwould and
Mary Washington House and that the Com-
mittee intended to render assistance to both
of these properties as soon as their needs could
be completely assessed. She then said that "the
moment we have all been waiting for" has ar-
rived and showed to the Board for the first
time the Committee's book, Gardens & Land-
scapes of Virginia. This beautiful volume with
photographs by Richard Cheek and text by
Rudy J. F avretti, Landscape Architect for The
Garden Club of Virginia, met with raves, and
the Board was pleased to hear that distribu-
tion and sales would begin shortly.
Mrs. Talley, liaison to the Kent-Valentine
House Committee, reported that "an inven-
tory of the Kent-Valentine House contents has
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents
been taken, the gift of Committee member,
Mrs.]. Paul Bullock, Jr. (Betsy), who offers
this service as a professional. With the help
of Mrs. Carlton P. Moffatt, Jr. (Camilla), she
has made a written and pictorial record of the
Kent-Valentine House Collection."
There was a discussion about how the
expenses of Historic Garden Week could be
decreased, and the consensus was that the of-
fice in Richmond had a very tight budget
which could not be cut any further. The mem-
ber clubs were urged to withhold for expenses
as little of their profits as possible. Some clubs
find it advantageous to hold parties for
homeowners, but the expenses for these events
should be taken from club treasuries. The
Board approved a motion recommended by
the Restoration Committee that no proceeds
from Historic Garden Week should ever be
used for the purchase of alcoholic beverages.
After a Dutch Treat Dinner at the 219
Restaurant Tuesday evening, the business
meeting was opened on Wednesday, October
13, with a prayer by Past President, Mrs.
Lucius]. Kellam (Dot).
Mrs. Arthur F. Sibold,Jr. (Lib), president
of The Hunting Creek Garden Club, wel-
comed everyone but especially those who were
present in 1972 when Hunting Creek spon-
sored the Annual Meeting. She told about
what positions they had held then which
brought back many memories.
Mrs. Murphy said in her report: "The
Garden Club of Virginia is filled with excit-
ing and talented women who seldom confine
their interests to one field. The thing that
unites us all is a love of beauty and a dedica-
tion to enhance appreciation of it in others.
Some of us grow flowers, some arrange them,
some work to try to save native plants, and
some do all three. To me the strength of The
Garden Club of Virginia is in its diversity."
Mrs. Mears unveiled the new Restoration
Committee book to loud applause, but was
sorry to report that delays in customs made it
unavailable for distribution at the Meeting. As
part of her Finance Committee report, Mrs.
Talley said: "One reason The Garden Club of
Virginia can run a tight ship is the generosity
of its Officers and Committee Chairmen, who
79
give not only of their time and talents, but also
their resources in their work for The Garden
Club of Virginia."
Mrs. William W Flowers, Historic Gar-
den Week Administrator, displayed the 1994
brochure, the first ever on recycled paper and
in two colors. Mrs.Jester, Editor of The Gar-
den Club of Virginia JOURNAL, distributed
a new, easy reference publication booklet.
Mrs. David Diller, Lily Test Chairman,
said that she had bad news: "Gilbey's Gin is
turning to plastic bottles! The square frosted
glass bottles will be no more. I'm asking you
and your club members to collect these old
bottles for the Lily Test Committee and bring
them to The Lily Show next year. Ask your
friends and bartenders to save these bottles for
you. This is serious."
Mrs. Catlett, Co-Chairman of the Kent-
Valentine House Long-Range Planning Com-
mittee, described Phase II "which will include
the addition to the house on the east side of a
tower wing.... which will contain necessary and
required fire safety and handicap access stairs,
and handicapped rest room facilities.... An
elevator will also be included."
Miss Julia Claypool, Historic Site Admin-
istrator of Carlyle House, a Garden Club of
Virginia restoration, spoke on the history of
the house. Mrs. Murphy called on Mrs. David
F. King (Bev) to announce the results of the
vote for the Common Wealth Award. The
Princess Anne Garden Club received $6,000
for its project to restore the garden at the
deWitt Cottage in Virginia Beach. The group
then recessed and enjoyed a delicious lunch
in several private homes followed by walking
tours of Old Towne. That night a Scottish
piper welcomed us to Carlyle House where
we enjoyed a feast under a huge tent.
The Thursday morning business meeting
was predominantly round table discussions on
"Educating Ourselves ... Educating Others,"
followed by Mr. L.John Trott, Jr., who spoke
on Virginia's native birds. After Mrs. Hugh].
Hagan's (Alice) clever tribute to The Hunt-
ing Creek Garden Club, Mrs. Murphy de-
clared the meeting adjourned. It was not un-
til the box luncheon sponsored by The Gar-
den Club of Alexandria that she realized she
 Follow the Green Arrow
had conducted the
whole meeting with
the price tag hang-
ing from the sleeve
of her brand new
suit!
Fine Arts and Flow-
ers at the Virginia
Museum of Fine
Arts took place later
in October. Mrs.
Murphy and her
husband were proud
to stand in the re-
ceiving line to rep-
resent The Garden
Club of Virginia.
The Conservation
Mrs. Murphy and the Forum at the Com-
price tag. monwealth Club in
Richmond late in
the month had as its topic "Environmental Co-
operation-Three Perspectives."
Mr. and Mrs. Murphy and the Restora-
tion Committee Chairman, Mrs. Mears, en-
joyed the fine hospitality of the National Trust
for Historic Preservation at a reception fol-
lowed by dinner at the Sulgrave Club in Wash-
ington. The Garden Club ofVirginia was rec-
ognized for its contributions to all four Trust
properties in Virginia (Belle Grove, Montpe-
lier, Oatlands and Woodlawn) and a plaque
bearing The Garden Club of Virginia name,
along with other generous donors, had been
placed in the Trust headquarters building.
The President had a heavy schedule of
engagements to speak to member clubs and
was described by the president ofThe Augusta
Garden Club as having been "on the road
more than Charles Kuralt and Willie Nelson
put together." Each visit to a club was a spe-
cial occasion, but the joint meeting of her own
club, The Garden Club of the Northern Neck,
with The Rappahannock Valley Garden Club
in the Council House at Stratford was a mov-
ing experience for Mrs. Murphy. Her 90-year
old mother, Mrs. Turner, and her sister, Mrs.
Mears, surprised her by coming to be with her
on that day.
The new year (1994) began with many
80
committee meetings, followed by the Board
of Directors' Meeting, all held at the Kent-
Valentine House within a week. Mrs. Rowe
reported that almost 800 of the new Mem-
bers' Handbooks had been sold, and the Board
also learned that the new Flowers Shows
Handbook, which Mrs.John R. Eagle (Sandra)
masterminded, would be available atJudging
School. Mrs. Mears reported that brochures
for the sites that wanted them have been writ-
ten by Mr. F avretti and would soon be printed
and distributed. She also said: "Due to vari-
ous circumstances, including the acquisition
of additional property necessitating the need
for a new master plan of the property, Poplar
Forest has withdrawn its request for our help
with screen planting on the property. This is
a disappointment, but we shall respect its de-
cision."
Mrs. Bristow reported that advertising
fees cover nearly 70% of the printing costs of
the Guidebook. Mrs. Leggett, liaison to the
Kent-Valentine House Long-Range Planning
Committee, told the Board that the next step
is to raise money for Phase II, installation of
the "tower" addition to the house, and that
Past President, Mrs.James C. Godwin (Ellen)
would be the financial advisor. Mrs. Schutte
announced that a grant had been received from
the Perry Foundation which, together with
funds on hand, would enable us to proceed
with the sequel to Follow the Green Arrow. Mrs.
Robert C. Wood III (Mina), Parliamentarian,
proposed numerous Bylaws changes, and the
Board expressed i~ gratitude not only to her,
but also to her husband on whose legal knowl-
edge she had relied. The Board adopted a
Resolution in appreciation of Mrs. Bullock for
her documentation of the Kent-Valentine
House contents. At the close of the meeting,
Mrs. Murphy announced that a new garden
club, The Garden Club of the Middle Penin-
sula, had been formed and that The Garden
Club of the Northern Neck was helping it to
get started. She was the liaison between the
two clubs. Just before adjournment, the Presi-
dent read the Nominating Committee's pro-
posed slate of Officers for 1994-1996. She
said that she was beginning to feel a bit like a
lame duck, but many exciting occasions
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents
awaited her still.
Legislative Field Day, an event sponsored
by the Conservation Committee during the
General Assembly Session, drew a large group
of members from most of the member clubs.
There was an unusual amount of cold weather
and several ice storms during the winter of
1994, but the Artistic Judging School was the
only event that had to be cancelled and was
re-scheduled for September.
The raft trip on the James River in the
spring of 1993 had been so successful that the
Conservation Committee planned two trips
in early spring: a canoe trip in the North Land-
ing River property of the Virginia Nature
Conservancy and an overnight stay on Hog
Island, one of the Eastern Shore's Barrier Is-
lands held by the Virginia Coast Reserve. Both
events were educational, but also a pleasant
reward for this dedicated Committee.
The Restoration Committee met in early
April at Christ Church and Stratford Hall in
the Northern Neck. The next week The
Ashland Garden Club had a one-day Daffodil
Show that attracted an unusually large num-
ber of blooms which had evidently thrived
during the harsh winter. Historic Garden
Week grossed over one-half million for the
first time in 1994. The success was attributed
to both outstanding publicity and pleasant
weather. The President fulfilled her custom-
ary role as Chief Hostess at Mount Airy, the
Tayloe home in Richmond County, went to
four other tours, and was thrilled to be asked
to pass out ribbons to young children who
brought flowers (and also those who did not)
to a tea held for them, their mothers, and
grandmothers at the Woman's Club in Rich-
mond.
The presentation of the garden at
Belmont, the Geri Melchers Estate, took place
on one of the loveliest days in April. The
President presided and watched her sister,
Mrs. Mears, present the garden to her cousin,
Dr. William M. Anderson, Jr., President of
Mary Washington College, which owns
Belmont.
The May, 1994, meeting of the Board of
Directors took place at Panorama Farms, Mrs.
Murray's lovely home near Earlysville. The
81
Board presented the soon-to-be-retired Presi-
dent 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 af-
filiated with The Garden Club of Virginia.
Mrs. Mears announced that at its April meet-
ing, the Restoration Committee voted to
pledge $200,000, payable over a four-year pe-
. riod, to the East Tower addition to the Kent-
Valentine 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 ap-
proached my duties with some apprehension.
I thought of all those who had been Presi-
dent since I attended my first Annual Meet-
ing and was sure that the job required the busi-
ness sense of Jean Printz, the charm of Dot
Montgomery, the style of Katty Mears, the
sense of humor of Ellen Godwin, the intelli-
gence of Nancy Talley, and the talent and grace
of Virginia Guild. While all of these qualities
 Follow the Green Arrow
Mrs. Murphy and her Board, 1993 Board of Governors' Meeting.
are certainly desirable and I covet them, I now
realize that the most needed attribute for a
President of The Garden Club of Virginia is
the constitution of an ox."
One of the highlights of Wednesday
morning's session was the introduction of Dr.
Charles Brownell, Associate Professor of Art
History at Virginia Commonwealth Univer-
sity, and Laura Carr, one of his students, who
reported on her research into the history of
the Kent-Valentine House. Mrs. Cochran,
Co-Chairman of the Kent-Valentine House
Long-Range Planning Committee, presented
the schematic drawings for the improvement
of the house and said: "The long range plan
which includes renovations to the basement,
research and redecoration of the first floor and
renovations to the second and third floors as
well as the new elevator tower came to
$1,478,732." Mr. Peter Hatch, Director of
Horticulture at Monticello, closed the first
morning's meeting with a talk on "Jeffersonian
Plants and Herbs." We then recessed for a
very special visit and lunch at Ash Lawn pro-
vided by The Charlottesville Garden Club and
a tour ofTufton and the Historic Plant Cen-
ter at Monticello. That evening there was a
fabulous banquet at Farmington Country
Club at which Past President, Mrs. Toy D.
Savage, Jr. (Hunter) was awarded the Massie
Medal.
82
The report from the Publications Com-
mittee was given by Charlottesville Garden
Club member, Mrs. William D . Bayles (Ma-
vis), who had been Treasurer and Circulation
Manager of The JOURNAL since 1980 and
one of The Garden Club of Virginia's unsung
volunteers. The Horticulture Committee
congratulated the clubs on their fine exhibits
of "A Basketful of Herbs for Mr. Jefferson"
which they had assembled for the Meeting.
At the conclusion of the business meet-
ing Mr. Edward E. Clark, Jr., President and
Director of the Wildlife Center of Virginia,
gave an informative and hilarious talk on "Life
on the Wildlife Ward," and Mrs. Robert
Carter (Bessie) gave a clever tribute to the
Albemarle Garden Club.
Mrs. Godwin gave the report of the
Nominating Committee, after which Mrs. H.
Gordon Leggett, Jr. was elected President of
The Garden Club of Virginia. In her intro-
duction of Mrs. Leggett, Mrs. Murphy said:
"I am thrilled for this organization I love, be-
cause we shall have superb leadership for the
next two years, and I am thrilled for my friend,
Pat, because she will enjoy this job more than
she can imagine." Mrs. Murphy told of Mrs.
Leggett's many qualifications and accomplish-
ments and then continued, "Charlotte Massie,
whom most of you knew as Editor of the
Guidebook and Director of Publicity for His-
 The Garden Club ofVirgjna Presidents
toric Garden Week for 27 years, used to say physically with the greatest aplomb. She was
frequently that The Garden Club of Virginia our "jogging" President. She ran the country
always has the right President at the right time. lanes and city streets throughout Virginia.
I cannot imagine any time for which Pat During her term, Helen stayed in great shape
Leggett would not be right." Mrs. Murphy and so did The Garden Club!
then presented the Ethridge diamond pin and These two years were very special to The
the gavel to Mrs. Leggett and said, "We look Garden Club of Virginia, for it was time to
forward to your leadership and pledge to you celebrate two important birthdays. On May
our support. Congratulations, Madam Presi- 13, 1995, The Garden Club of Virginia had
dent." reached 75 years of age, and in this same year,
the Kent-Valentine House was 150 years old.
MRS.H.GORDONLEGGETr,JR Time had brought many changes over
President these years. The Dow average went from 90
The Garden Club of Virginia to 5,000, and Babe Ruth was replaced by
1994-1996 Michael Jordan on the sports scene. A
Charleston dancing flapper, who was given the
For an incoming President to receive the right to vote in 1920, could not have envi-
gavel from Mrs. W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr. sioned a society which would nurture a female
(Helen) was an inspiring moment. Her devo- astronaut.
tion and dedication to The Garden Club of The Garden Club of Virginia is a won-
Virginia set the highest standards for her suc- derful success story. Member clubs have in-
cessor to uphold. Helen had tremendous pride creased from 8 to 46. Historic Garden Week
in the organization's accomplishments, and in Virginia has raised over 5 million dollars to
this pride was visible to all who met and restore 38 historic gardens and landscapes. We
worked with her. The pursuit of her respon- continue to educate our membership on con-
sibilities was a pursuit of pleasure. servation issues and to encourage the protec-
She brought experience and knowledge tion of the environment.
to the presidency. The Riclmzond Times- Dispatch offered con-
She had the best gratulations in the following lead editorial:
credentials for hold- Virginia's Gardeners
ing office. She Call members of the Garden
served as a board Club of Virginia that- Virginia's Gar-
member of state or- deners - and you won't be wrong. For
ganizations involved in the threescore and 15 years this or-
in areas of educa- ganization has existed, it has labored
tion, conservation lovingly to make Virginia a garden
and beautification. spot of pre-eminent aesthetic and his-
As an active sup- toric importance. Now, as it prepares
porter of her hus- to celebrate the 75th anniversary of
band and his suc- its founding with a dinner at the
cessful political ca- Tredegar Iron Works, is an appropri-
reer in Virginia's ate time to salute it for its contribu-
legislature, she kept tions to the Commonwealth.
a reading on the An alliance of 46 community-
State's political based clubs, the Garden Club of Vir-
pulse. ginia has been wholly or heavily re-
This 37th President sponsible for the restoration of nearly
ran The Garden 40 historic homes and gardens open
Mrs. H. Gordon Club of Virginia for the enjoyment of Virginians and
Leggett, Jr. mentally and also tourists. Thomas Jefferson's garden
83

<Tlie 9arden Club of Virginia
invites you to a
9ala
in celebration of our
7stfi <Birthday
<Tuesday, October tentli
sir-tliirty in tfie evening
rTredegar Iron Worfi.s
'Riclinwnd
'R.s.v.p.
at Monticello, the gardens at
Woodrow Wilson's Birthplace in
Staunton, the gardens at Woodlawn
Plantation in Fairfax County, the
Washington and Lee University gar-
den at the Robert E. Lee House in
Lexington, the Lewis Ginter Botani-
cal Garden in Richmond, and the
master tree-planting plan at
Richmond's Virginia Union Univer-
sity are examples of the club's good
works.
Earlier this year, the Virginia
General Assembly praised the club
for its substantial contribution "to the
enhancement of historic properties,
the beauty of communities and high-
ways, and the protection and conser-
vation of natural resources ... " That
resolution was added to a long list of
honors the club has received over the
years.
To finance its projects, the orga-
nization raises money primarily
through its unique annual Historic
Garden Week tour featuring some of
Follow the Green Arrow
Virginia's most beautiful homes and
gardens from the Atlantic to the Ap-
palachians. Tourists from all over
America travel to Virginia for this
event, which is the largest and oldest
of its kind in the country.
The club can celebrate its 75th
birthday with pride. It has earned
Virginia's gratitude, admiration and
best wishes.
It was a time for celebration and celebrate
we did. On October 10, 1995, we had a Gala
at the Tredegar Iron Works in Richmond
which truly was the social event of the season,
or maybe for the next 7 5 years. Never having
given a Garden Club party, we were not sure
what the response would be. All summer the
President kept dreaming that she and her hus-
band were the only ones on the dance floor in
a building looking much like an airplane
hanger. But the response was overwhelming
and over-subscribed by 150 people whose
'Black. tie checks had to be returned.
The night was magical. Co-Chairmen of
the Gala were Mrs. William T. Tucker
(Nancy), Mrs. Herbert A. Claiborne,Jr. (Kitty)
and Mrs. Hunter H. McGuire, Jr. (Alice) who
called themselves the "troika." The President
called them the "triumvirate," for these ladies
did a magnificent job working throughout the
year and attending to the myriad of details.
They provided the leadership as Co-Chair-
men for this Gala and with their committees
deserve our approbation, appreciation, and ap-
plause for creating the magic of the evening.
Their sub-committee chairmen and vol-
unteers represented member clubs through-
out the Commonwealth. The Patrons Chair-
men were Mrs.John E. Clarkson (Kirk), Mrs.
Carter B. S. Furr (Huffy) and Mrs. Clifton A.
Woodrum III (Emily); the Flowers Chairmen
were Mrs. William B. Power (Leslie) and Mrs.
Charles C. Wentworth II (Ann); the Invita-
tions, Mrs. Walter M. Zirkle, Jr. (Widgee);
Treasurer, Mrs. Gus W Dyer, Jr. (Barbara);
Arrangements, Mrs. Peter C. Toms (Blanche);
Reservations, Mrs. Hill Carter, Jr. (Diana);
Programs, Mrs. Richard P. Buckingham IV
(Missy).
The Commonwealth Club catered the
84
The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents

0 Alice and Rich·

ard Tilghman
(left), visit with
P•a Sydnor of
Charlottesville.

dan of Cbarlottesvil le
before dinner.

8 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.

Photographs and Article taken frrmz: Style Weekly

85
 Follow the Green Arrow
dinner, and more than 460 guests dined on
smoked salmon and scallops, filet mignon, and
baby vegetables. The piece de resistance was the
dessert, a white chocolate mousse topped with
a candy medallion inscribed with the number
75.
The Tredegar Iron Works was trans-
formed. Small trees were adorned with lights.
Flowers arrived in vans from all over the state
to be placed on round dining tables and in ar-
rangements cascading from huge urns placed
throughout the room. Roses were in abun-
dance, and with the Rose Show the week be-
fore, there could not have been one blooming
rose left anywhere in the Commonwealth.
The flower centerpieces at each table rested
on mirrors on which glass marbles had been
spilled. With the use of votive candles, these
marbles reflected the light giving the illusion
of sparkling diamonds. A 75th anniversary is
often represented by diamonds. This Gala was
a DiamondJubilee.
The invocation was given by the Honor-
able W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr., a member of the
Virginia House of Delegates and husband of
former President, Helen Murphy. A brief pro-
gram followed. Eleven Past Presidents rep-
resenting three decades of leadership were in
attendance: Mrs. Wyatt A. Williams, Mrs.
George H. Flowers, Jr., Mrs. George M.
Cochran, Mrs. John D. Varner, Mrs. Toy D.
Savage, Jr., Mrs.James B. Montgomery, Mrs.
Benjamin W. Mears, Jr., Mrs. James C.
Godwin, Mrs. Lilburn T. Talley, Mrs. Henley
L. Guild, Mrs. W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr. Mrs.
Lucius J. Kellam and Miss Jean Printz were
not able to be present. The dedication to The
Garden Club of Virginia and talents of these
former Presidents are legendary. Each came
forward to receive a huge "diamond" ring
which was given as a token of appreciation for
her service. Mrs. H. Gordon Leggett, Jr., the
current President, toasted each "great Lady."
"A diamond is a symbol of your brilliance and
value. You are the real diamonds in our crown.
You have guided our successful course. Thank
you."
Mrs. Cochran gave a brief history of the
past 75 years which closed the program. All
danced to the music provided by the Tommy
86
Whitten orchestra.
The second important birthday that we
shall be celebrating is that of our headquar-
ters, Kent-Valentine House. This house was
built in 1845 by Mr. Horace Kent, originally
from Connecticut, and the proprietor of a suc-
cessful 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 renova-
tions 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 contrib-
ute, and we shall be going outside "our fam-
ily" 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 evalua-
tion 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 sprin-
kler 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 ca-
pability that we should have in order to stay
current on legislative, conservation, and pres-
ervation issues.
Because the house is a meeting place for
all our committees, the meeting space must
be improved and enlarged. Adequate climati-
cally-controlled storage for all the records and
historic garden restoration plans which are
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents
deposited in the basement is needed. The li-
brary of garden history needs a space of its
own.
A stair/elevator tower will make the Kent-
Valentine House accessible to the physically
impaired. With the additional entrance in the
tower, a more flexible use of the building will
be realized. The tower elevator will be used
to transport heavy materials to each floor, and
much needed cloakrooms and handicapped-
accessible bathrooms will be located on each
level.
The renovations will convert the first
floor to a reception area which can be used by
our members for private parties which pro-
vide a source of income. The second floor
will include enlarged Historic Garden Week
offices, a library room, a board room, and an
office for the President. A large meeting room
with a built-in sound and projector system will
be located on the currently unusable third
floor.
The first improvement to the house has
already been made. Enclosing the first floor
porch has provided more interior space and
brought wonderful light into the southwest
corner of the building. This porch is being
used for small meetings and is a handsome
addition made possible through a bequest by
Mrs. James Bland Martin, a former President
and historian/editor of Follow the Green Ar-
row.
The capital campaign has no development
office, trained personnel or slick brochures.
Mrs. P. William Moore, Jr. (Lisa) and Mrs.
Charles H. Seilheimer, Jr. (Mary Lou) are Co-
Chairmen of the campaign and doing a mas-
terful job. These two ladies are remarkable.
Their organizational skills, intelligence, and
keen perception will guarantee that this cam-
paign is successful.
Foundations have been solicited by Mrs.
Richard H . Catlett, Jr. (Barbara) and Mrs.
James C . Godwin (Ellen). Mrs. Austin T .
Darden, Jr. (Mary Hart) and Mrs. R. Walter
Jones IV (Leila). are in charge of finances and
investments. Mrs. George M. Cochran (Lee)
and Mrs. Benjamin W. Mears, Jr. (Katty) are
chairmen of the leadership gifts committee.
Miss Mary Jo Davis and Mrs. David F. King
87
(Bev) are overseeing special gifts. Mrs. Carter
is planning special events, and Mrs. Whitney
G. Saunders (Ellen) directs the public rela-
tions relevant to the campaign.
Member clubs have been encouraged to
make trips to visit the Kent-Valentine House.
Mrs. Alexander M. Fisher,Jr. (Rossie) and her
committee of docents have provided tours
from the dark basement to the cramped attic-
like third floor. Mrs. Charles H . Frischkorn,
J r. (Charlotte), Chairman of the Kent-Valen-
tine House, has graciously orchestrated all vis-
its and planned luncheons for the visiting clubs
and prospective donors.
The Restoration Committee has pledged
$200,000 over a four-year period. Founda-
tions have been solicited with great success.
Two challenge grants of $100,000 have been
met by the previous and present Board of Di-
rectors and the former Presidents respectively.
A challenge grant of $50,000 that requires a 3
to 1 match from member clubs is well on its
way to being met which, with the match, will
total $200,000. The response of the mem-
bership has been heartwarming. This cam-
paign has brought the membership closer to-
gether as they work to achieve the $2,000,000
goal.
The architectural firm of Marcellus
Wright Cox and Smith was chosen to provide
working drawings for the tower and renova-
tions. Taylor and Parrish will be the general
contractors. As soon as funds are raised, con-
struction will begin.
During these two years, business contin-
ued as usual. Successful Flower Shows and
Horticulture Field Days were held. In com-
memorating the 75th anniversary, historical
themes were often used for the Inter-Club ar-
rangements. Heirloom plants and member
clubs' most successful projects of the past were
subjects for horticultural displays. The Artis-
tic Judging School, moved to the month of
September, had greater participation than ever
before. The Conservation Forums were well
attended. The Forum held in Williamsburg
was open to the public and broadcast by Na-
tional Public Radio. A new format was tried
the afternoon before the Forum with a canoe
trip or visit to the new archaeological dig at
 Fol/ow. the Green Arrow
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 re-
mained the moving force in preservation and
restoration in the Commonwealth. The Res-
toration Committee continued to ensure that
Virginia's historic gardens remain a visual
legacy of the past. In the fall of 1994, the gar-
den 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 Resto-
ration Committee and approved by the mem-
bership at the 1995 Annual Meeting in Nor-
folk. Garden restorations undertaken by The
Garden Club of Virginia must be open to the
public on a regular basis; therefore, many pri-
vately-owned gardens have never been docu-
mented. Some of these gardens may be lost
to future garden historians. A Fellowship Pro-
gram will be instituted whereby graduate stu-
dents 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
88
of $5 ,000 for spending a spring, summer, or
fall term producing measured drawings of a
historically significant garden or landscape.
The Fellow would work during a three-month
period under the supervision of Mr. Rudy J .
Favretti, the landscape architect retained by
The Garden Club of Virginia, or his desig-
nated representative. These drawings, upon
completion, would be preserved in an appro-
priate archive. This Fellowship should create
a complete compendium of historic gardens
and landscapes in Virginia, and this program
will offer an exciting incentive to young pro-
fessional landscape architects to enter this field
of study.
The Garden Club of Virginia has been
recognized throughout the past 75 years for
its contributions to the Commonwealth. Two
important honors were bestowed during these
two years. First, at the 1995 session of the
Virginia General Assembly, a special Joint
House Resolution honored The Garden Club
of Virginia for its work in championing im-
portant historic and environmental programs;
and second, the Society of American Travel
Writers presented its Phoenix Award to The
 The Garden Club of Virgina Presidents

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 conser-
vation 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 "in-
creasing 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
with the original purpose always in mind, it
has grown in size, stature and sphere of influ-
ence. Through the years member clubs have
been admitted from almost all geographical
areas of the state. The Garden Club of Vir-
ginia is the umbrella, if you will, and these 46
member clubs are its ribs. Each club brings
strength to the overall fabric. One cannot
predict or envision the changes and possibili-
ties that will occur during the next 2 5 years
when the centennial anniversary will be cel-
ebrated. Surely the legacy of these 75 years
will give The Garden Club of Virginia the
impetus to continue its rich tradition of ser-
vice and commitment.

89
 THE MEMBER CLUBS
ALBEMARLE GARDEN CLUB
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 environ-
ment." 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 mem-
ber 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 Vir-
ginia Community College. Such a large en-
terprise required the collaboration of the lo-
cal 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
Jr. (Peggy) and Mrs.James B. Murray (Bunny),
received awards from both The Garden Club
of Virginia and The Garden Club of America
in 1975.
Other projects included planting trees - a
lot of trees - at Miller School in the county, at
the Downtown Mall and Jackson Park in the
city, and in the club's botanical collection at
Morea in honor of Albemarle's charter mem-
bers.
During these busy years the club spon-
sored the 54th Annual Meeting and the Con-
servation Forum of The Garden Club of Vir-
ginia in 1974. It reorganized its constitution
and in 1976 became incorporated and received
a tax-exempt status which served as a model
for many other clubs. The members still
found time to do what they did best: garden-
ing and flower arranging.
Members continued giving their well-at-
tended Nellie Hough Gardening Course each
fall, offering mini-gardening courses at local
libraries, holding flower arranging workshops
and demonstrations for the elderly, taking
flowers and greens to The Martha Jefferson
House, and providing buckets of flowers and
greens every week to the Time and Talents
Committee.
Garden Club of Virginia Horticulture
Awards were deservedly won by the following
Albemarle Garden Club members during this
decade: Mrs. William S. Weedon (Elizabeth)
1970; Mrs. W. Dimmack Buxton (Polly) 1972;
Mrs. W. Bedford Moore III (Jane) and Mrs.
Sydnor 1974; Mrs. Harry T. Marshall, Jr.
 The Member Clubs
(Jane) 1978.
The members produced a wealth of
wreaths and bedside arrangements for the sick
and bedridden every year during Christmas
workshops where good humor was fueled by
a "traditional stew" firmly laced with sherry.
Members serving as club presidents dur-
ing this decade were Mrs. Daniel G. Van Clief,
Mrs. G. Johnson Blair (Mrs . Amos T.
Hathaway), Mrs. Hunter Faulconer, Mrs. W
Dimmock Buxton, and Mrs. M. Jack Rinehart,
Jr.
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 en-
croach 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 pro-
fessors of landscape architecture at the Uni-
versity, 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 mod-
ernized its bylaws, consolidated its commit-
tees, and created a new award for The Gar-
den Club ofVrrginia, the Jennette Rustin Tro-
phy, which was first given at the 1982 Daffo-
dil 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.
91
More and more, the club became involved
or took the lead in broader projects involving
others. The club helped Virginia's Wildlife
Center at Weyers Cave receive recognition
and funding, fought with many others for the
ecological survival of the Chesapeake Bay, and
with The Charlottesville and Rivanna Garden
Clubs and a start-up from Piedmont Environ-
mental Council, organized a day camp in natu-
ral history in 1984. The club bought its own
two acres of tropical rain forest in the Rio
Bravo Conservation Area of Belize, and also
started "Limas for Lima," a modest affair
which grew to an enormous size when com-
mercial seed producers sent the club their left-
overs to be shipped to poor Peruvian farmers.
Still Albemarle did not neglect its annual
projects: Nellie Hough Gardening Course,
Time and Talent flower-arranging enterprise,
Christmas workshop, strong participation in
Historic Garden Week, and regular plant ex-
changes where members sold perennial divi-
sions to each other - an entertaining way to
add to the club's kettle and to insure the dis-
semination and survival of grand old favorites.
Distinguished visitors to Charlottesville were
offered private guided tours of members'
homes and gardens for the benefit of Time
and Talent. The club planted trees around
the parking lot of the Ivy Creek Natural Area,
where, in 1982, it organized a two-week "Na-
ture Experience" for severely handicapped
young people. In 1987 and 1988, it fenced
the Discovery Museum garden and landscaped
the grounds of the local Learning Center.
Some talented members devised the water
conservation game,"Perils of Pure Water,''
which was presented in fifteen local middle
schools.
The presidents who guided the club
through the 1980s were Mrs. Jack Rinehart,
Jr., Mrs. Alfred C. Kilham. Mrs. F. Bradley
Peyton III, Mrs.James B. Murray, Mrs. Walter
Wadlington, and Mrs. T. Austin Sydnor, Jr.
1990-1995
For the Albemarle Garden Club the nine-
ties have been, are, and will be the years of big
projects. Two rummage sales, known as "A
 Follow the Green Arrow
Whale of a Sale" held in the late 1980s had
already garnered some monies. In the spring
of 1992, Albemarle added the fat proceeds
from a major flower arranging workshop held
at Farmington Country Club. The hero of
the day, the renowned florist artist, J. Barry
Ferguson from New York, had a wealth of
magnificent fresh flowers flown in from Cali-
fornia and New York. Still, at the last mo-
ment, he asked for more "big things," and sev-
eral club members with no moral sense at all
rushed through the countryside cutting down
huge branches of blooming paulownias or
eight-foot-long ribbons of ivy wherever they
spotted them. It was for a good cause. It was
good fun, and it was a great success. Another
fund raiser was planned for June 1995 with
the noted gardener Bunny Williams.
Albemarle kept focusing on conservation
and joined others in efforts to amend laws, to
clean up and save our environment, and to
preserve diversity. In 1990, the club's conser-
vation committee and its chairman, Mrs.
William C. Preston (Mary Lyle) received rec-
ognition for the committee's study of air and
water pollution in Albemarle County and ways
to remedy the problem.
In 1993, the Albemarle Garden Club or-
ganized a public composting site in
Charlottesville's Darden Towe Park and land-
scaped its surroundings. The Natural His-
tory Day Camp flourished, and the club con-
tinued to send two youngsters every year to
Nature Camp.
It was the club's pleasure in 1994 to spon-
sor the 74th Annual Meeting of The Garden
Club of Virginia.
Other club endeavors blossomed. Ap-
proaching its 30th anniversary, the annual
Nellie Hough Gardening Course had become
a local mainstay. Time and Talent was busier
than ever, and the Christmas workshop con-
tinued to produce prettier-than-ever wreaths
and bedside arrangements for homes, hospi-
tals, and lonely bedridden persons. The club's
test collections and flower arrangements won
ribbons at The Garden Club of Virginia
Shows. The club keeps on trying.
After an unpleasant, protracted war over
the grounds of the club's Botanical Collection,
92
the University of Virginia recognized the
club's intrinsic interest in Morea and opened
the gardens at no charge to the public.
Historic Garden Week drew more visi-
tors from the farthest corners of the United
States, though the Albemarle, the
Charlottesville and Rivanna Garden Clubs
reduced Historic Garden Week to five days.
(The three clubs had been the only clubs to
open private gardens for eight days of that long
week). Then in 1993, these same three clubs
decided to reduce further our local Garden
Week to three days.
In all these endeavors the many active
young women, often working mothers, who
form Albemarle Garden Club's talented new
generation have taken on more responsibili-
ties and have started to replace their seniors.
Many are daughters, daughters-in-law, or rela-
tives of older members and are keeping the
horticulture, conservation, gardening, and
flower arranging traditions of the Albemarle
Garden Club alive and well. Proof of this lies
in the many awards, ribbons, and honors be-
stowed on club members.
Able presidents leading the club through
the early 1990s were Mrs. T. Austin Sydnor,
Jr., Mrs.John W. Barber and Mrs. Theodore
E. Loud.
THE GARDEN CLUB
OF ALEXANDRIA
1970-1980
The Garden Club of Alexandria cel-
ebrated its 45th Birthday in October 1970.
After years of restoring and maintaining the
18th-century garden at Gadsby Tavern, the
club was delighted to relinquish the responsi-
bility to the City of Alexandria which had ac-
quired the landmark.
In 1971, Mrs. Howard B. Bloomer, Jr.
(Kitty), a distinguished member, was awarded
the Massie Medal. Mrs. Bruce C. Gunnell
(Virginia) was Chairman of The GCV Con-
servation Forum and served as Recording Sec-
retary of The GCV. Mrs. John M. Maury
(Stuart) served for many years on the Resto-
ration Committee, and Mrs. Robert E .
 Th~ Member Clubs
Latham (Ella) was a GCV Director-at-Large
twice.
Interesting accomplishments of individual
members included a book, The Decorative Art
ofDried Flower Arrangements, written by Mrs.
James D. Vance (Georgia), and Christmas Cre-
ativity, written by Mrs. Clyde C. Lamond, Jr.
(Marguerite).
A junior garden club was organized for
members' daughters, and a category of ad-
vanced senior class was added to the arrange-
ments for the club's monthly flower shows.
The club joined The Hunting Creek Garden
Club to hold a joint daffodil show which has
become an annual event at Goodwin House.
The club gave a luncheon when The
Hunting Creek Garden Club sponsored the
Annual Meeting in Alexandria in 1972.
On The Garden Club of Alexandria's
50th anniversary in 1975, it sponsored The
GCV Annual Meeting. Members in the
junior garden club were taken into active
membership. The club contributed a
square for the needlepoint rug for the Kent-
Valentine House. The club sponsored the
GCV Rose Show in 1979.
Club presidents during this decade
were Mrs. John M. Maury, Mrs. John Y.
Kerr, Mrs. Wilfred]. Smith, Mrs. Owen M.
Jones, Mrs. Russell S. Crenshaw, Jr., and
Mrs. Smith Paul.
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, Califor-
nia, 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
Leslie, netting over $8,000. She also designed
bird houses replicating Old Towne houses
which were sold as a fund-raiser.
The firm of Doell and Doell of New York
was engaged to research plans for an authen-
tic 19th-century garden for the Lloyd House.
Members contributed to the research by delv-
ing into correspondence in the Library of
Congress. The plan was not implemented, as
archaeological digs did not discover any evi-
dence of a garden.
For education and fun, the club held an
"environmentally friendly" luncheon in which
everything, organic and inorganic, was either
composted or recycled. It also joined The
Garden Club of Fairfax in a three-session
workshop (Interpretive, Free Form, and Ab-
stract) to study and practice the art of modern
flower arranging.
A Cornus kousa was given to the Ameri-
can Horticultural Society in memory of Stuart
Maury and to celebrate Earth Day.
During the 1980s, the club was fortunate
to have as its club presidents Mrs. John H.
Wmant, Mrs. Robert L. Montague III, Mrs.
Frederick A Gage, Mrs. William Seale, Jr.,
and Mrs. William F. Smith.
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 Alexan-
dria 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.
 Follow the Green Arrow
THE ASHLAND GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
The Ashland Garden Club continued to
be a vital and energetic club. The club's worth-
while projects included: sending a child to
Nature Camp, joining with neighboring clubs
for presentations by the Presidents of The
Garden Club of Virginia, having plant sales,
and planting living memorials to deceased
members.
Mrs. Donald P. Reid (Edith) designed and
executed a lovely square featuring Scotchtown
for the needlepoint rug in the Kent-Valentine
House. Mrs. Robert L. Hopkins, Jr. (Lula)
was appointed Chairman of Admissions (1968-
1970) and Director of Public Relations (1972-
1974) of The Garden Club of Virginia.
The fiftieth anniversary of the founding
of The Ashland Garden Club was celebrated
on October 12, 1972 with a gala evening hon-
oring the charter members. The club's first
president and founder, Miss Mary McDermott
Beirne, was joined by charter members, Mrs.
Hall Canter (Carolina) and Mrs. Charles
Stebbins, Jr. (Ilus). Miss Mary, widely known
for hybridizing daffodils, was one of Ashland's
colorful inhabitants. She will be remembered
also for her colorful attire: blue smock, gar-
den hat, and basket.
The beautiful landscaping of Scotchtown
by The Garden Club of Virginia was com-
pleted and presented to the Association for the
Preservation of Virginia Antiquities. Mrs.
Newton Priddy CJ oan), Directress of the APVA
Hanover Branch and member of The AGC,
accepted the magnificent gift. The AGC had
requested The Garden Club of Virginia to
consider landscaping Scotchtown, so it was
with much pride that the club saw the fruits
of its labor. Mrs. Hopkins was elected a Di-
rector-at-Large (1974-1977) ofThe GCV.
The GCV Lily Shows were sponsored by
The AGC in 197 5 and 197 6. Rave reviews
were received and the 197 5 Show was declared
the world's largest lily show. The club's out-
standing horticulturist, Mrs. Arthur A.
Dugdale (Betty), won the Violet Niles Walker
Memorial Cup for the second time in 1973
94
and for the third time in 1975. Mrs. Hopkins
was elected Treasurer of The GCV (1978-
1980).
The club planted the area around the
front of the brick sign on the Randolph-Ma-
con College campus and landscaped the old
Railroad Station used by the Ashland Chris-
tian Emergency Services.
GCV Horticulture Awards of Merit were
presented to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur A. Dugdale
(Betty) and Mr. and Mrs. Louis A. Wright (Sa-
rah) during this decade. Both Mr. Dugdale
and Mr. Wright were dues-paying members
of the club and later were elected to honorary
membership. Mrs. Dugdale was awarded the
Massie Medal in 1978 for outstanding achieve-
ment in horticulture and stimulation of knowl-
edge and love of gardening among others.
Members serving as club presidents dur-
ing the 1970s were Mrs. Robert L. Hopkins,
Jr., Mrs. Rosalie W Priddy, Mrs. Newton
Priddy, Mrs. 0. K. Campbell, and Mrs. Rob-
ert W Cabaniss.
1980-1990
Many members were recognized for out-
standing service during the 1980s. Mrs.
Hopkins served again as The GCV Treasurer
from 1980 to 1982, Chairman of Finance
(1982-1984), Second Vice President (1984-
1986), 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 Vir-
ginia 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 at-
tire and furnished his train collection for table
decorations for the dinner in the Estes Din-
ing Hall at Randolph-Macon College. A good
time was had by all.
Mrs. James W Midyette, Jr. (Tudie) re-
 The Member Clubs
Courtesy of Herald-Progress
Mrs. Louis A. WrightandMrs. RobertA. Lybrand prepare for the
horticulture exhibit at the 1984 Board of Governors' Meeting.
ceived the Tri-color Award for the club ar-
rangement in The GCV Rose Show in
Fredericksburg in 1986.
Mrs. John A. Hugo (Nancy) was the re-
cipient of a GCV Horticulture Award of Merit
in 1988. Mrs. Paul McConnell (Helen), 80
years young, planted a forest of 18 acres
(11,300 trees) in conjunction with the Forestry
Service. She read that if everyone planted a
tree each year, we would have pure air and
water.
Betty Dugdale completed updating of
classification of the Royal Horticultural Soci-
ety for lilies. She wrote the column, "Gar-
dening in Virginia" for The Richmond News
Leader. Mr. Dugdale had been the former
writer of this column.
The club planted four red maples on the
grounds of the Hanover Arts and Activities
Center, a Virginia Historic Landmark. It was
formerly the First Baptist Church and was
used as a hospital during the War Between the
States. Arbor Day was celebrated with the
planting of four white dogwood trees at the
Hanover Courthouse Bicentennial Park.
These new trees, along with the crape myrtle
and two rows of tulip poplars, made a beauti-
ful setting for the 250th anniversary of the
building of the Courthouse. The club was in-
strumental in planting 30 Bradford pear trees
along the business section of Railroad Avenue.
Mrs. Ladell Payne, wife of the President of
Randolph-Macon College, gave a tea for lo-
95
cal clubs, including The AGC, in
appreciation of their decorating
Washington-Franklin Hall for
Christmas. The oldest building on
the campus, it had been completely
restored and enhanced the
grounds.
A fund-raising project en-
tailed making paper flowers at
Kings Dominion. The members'
talented fingers made works of art
out of tissue. At the end of each
afternoon, the warehouse looked
like a real garden with its myriad
colors. The club decorated
Scotchtown for the summer sea-
son and for Christmas candlelight
tours. Members entertained patients at the
Convalescent Center by helping them make
decorations for their rooms and by bringing
attractively wrapped cookies or candy to be
judged and distributed among the patients.
The club's daffodil show continued to be
an annual event for Hanoverians. The local
growers displayed their talents at this most
enjoyable event.
The Elizabeth Cabell Dugdale Award for
Conservation was presented for the first time
at the 1989 Conservation Forum. The AGC
wanted to recognize "its Betty" for her out-
standing contributions to conservation.
Club presidents during the 1980s were
Mrs. Robert W Cabaniss, Mrs. Ted C. Staples,
Mrs. Carroll R. Keyser, Mrs. Donald P. Reid,
Mrs. James W Midyette, Jr., and Mrs. Hill
Carter, Jr.
1990-1995
Life goes on and so did The Ashland Gar-
den Club. Lula Hopkins, one of the club's
and The Garden Club of Virginia's most dedi-
cated members, continued to provide leader-
ship for both. Her list of accomplishments
was awe-inspiring. During the 1990s, she
served The GCV as Chairman of the Massie
Medal Committee (1990-1992), as Recording
Secretary (1992-1994), and Historian (1994-
1996). When she received The GCV Massie
Medal in 1993, it was for "unparalleled dedi-
 Follow the Green Arrow
cation to the objects of The Garden Club of
Virginia." Her mother, Mrs. Frank]. Gilliam,
a former President of The GCV, and her fa-
ther, Frank J. Gilliam, Dean of Washington
and Lee University, also received The GCV
Massie Medal.
Members continued to participate in The
Garden Club of Virginia Flower Shows and
provided hostesses not only for the local tour,
but also for homes on the Jam es River, and
for the Executive Mansion during Historic
Garden Week.
Historic Garden Week in 1993 proved to
be one of the most successful. Members did
everything (even more so than usual) includ-
ing directing traffic so efficiently that the po-
lice felt things were in good hands and went
on to attend to other matters.
The club's "Lady Di," Mrs. Hill Carter,
Jr. (Diana), was appointed The GCV Direc-
tor of Public Relations (1992-1994) and a Di-
rector-at-Large in 1994.
The Ashland Garden Club was awarded
the Mrs. Littleton H. Mears Trophy for Best
Inter-Club Arrangement at The Garden Club
of Virginia Annual Daffodil Show in 1993.
The main concern and energy-consum-
ing project for 1993-1994 was preparing for
The GCV 60th and 6lst Annual Daffodil
Shows in 1994 and 1995. Mrs. Elmo G. Cross,
Jr. (Anne) did a masterful piece of engineer-
ing such a mammoth undertaking. The club
did it! What a thrill it was to walk midst the
daffodils, and what a relief to store the risers
and bottles until next year!
Club presidents during the early 1990s
were Mrs. Hill Carter, Jr., Mrs. William K.
Glave, Mrs. Cabell Luck, Jr., and Mrs. H.
Augustus Miller ill.
THE AUGUSTA GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
At the beginning of this decade, a sustain-
ing category and a provisional group were
added to The Augusta Garden Club's active
and associate membership. A first was an ori-
entation class for all new members.
These were the club's most productive
96
years of providing Officers and Committee
Chairmen for The Garden Club of Virginia.
Mrs. George M. Cochran (Lee) served as The
GCV Second Vice President (1970-1972),
President (1972-1974), Chairman of the Res-
toration Committee (1976-1978), and Chair-
man of the Nominating Committee (1978-
1980). Mrs. W.]. Perry (Virginia) was elected
The GCV Recording Secretary (1972-1974),
Mrs. McKelden Smith (Anne) Chairman of
The Garden Club of Virginia JOURNAL
(1976-1978), and Mrs. Thomas H. Tullidge
(Flo) Parliamentarian and Editor of the Reg-
ister (1978-1980.)
Mrs. W: W Sproul (Helen) won the
Eleanor Truax Harris Cup for lilies in 1978.
Mrs. J. Waller Callison (Tommy) stitched the
needlepoint square, a reproduction of the back
of the Woodrow Wilson Birthplace, for the
rug at the Kent-Valentine House. For Christ-
mas members made decorations for the lobby
at Western State Hospital, wreaths for the
doors of Kings' Daughters Hospital, and ar-
rangements for the mantels at the Woodrow
Wilson Birthplace.
The policy concerning the Elizabeth
Seymour Rawlinson book collection, owned
by the club, was changed to allow members to
take home the rare books while the public
could use them at the library. From the club's
early "Dogwood Campaigns," tree planting
was an important goal. Mrs. Smith presented
an overall planting plan for the Woodrow
Wilson Parkway. At the Conservation Forum
she was honored for her contribution and ef-
forts toward the program "Do Something
Beautiful." Tree planting continued at the Day
Care Center and Johnson Street Parking lot.
Mrs. George M. Cochran, Mrs. Thomas
G. Bell, Mrs. McKelden Smith, Mrs. Thomas
H. Tullidge, Mrs Richard W: Smith, and Mrs.
Colin]. S. Thomas, Jr. served as club presi-
dents during the 1970s.
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
 The Member Clubs
the opportunity to visit with and enjoy so many
energetic, beauty-loving, and civic-minded
women.
The club continued to provide leadership
to The Garden Club of Virginia. Mrs.
Tullidge was elected The GCV Chairman of
the Finance Committee (1980-1982), and a
Director-at-Large (1987-1990). Mrs.
Cochran was presented the Massie Medal in
1980 for "outstanding dedication, leadership,
and concern for The Garden Club of Virginia
and the Commonwealth of Virginia." Mrs.
Colin]. S. Thomas, Jr. (Susan) was Chairman
of Admissions (1984-1986).
Mrs. Perry had long been known as "Mrs.
Daffodil." For years she divided and distrib-
uted bulbs, instructed, and inspired. Two
young and enthusiastic growers, Mrs. Tho-
mas and Mrs. T. Claybrook Elder (Claiborne)
took over this responsibility. Their hard work,
along with Mrs. Gordon C. Page (Mopsy),
took the local show to new heights. It out-
grew homes and with an average of 100
blooms, Trinity Parish Hall became the set-
ting. A professional judge was brought in, and
a permanent silver trophy was given by Mrs.
Barbara H. Grant in memory of her mother,
Nellie Crass Hunter.
As a fall public project, the club sponsored
a series of classes on house plants, arranging,
horticulture, and landscaping. Tulip bulbs and
carry cans were sold. Another project was a
"Tasting-tea," with the use of recipes from
Historic Virginia Inns. The proceeds allowed
the club to help with a greenhouse for West-
ern State Hospital, to landscape the sign at
the northern city limits, to be a part of the
plantings project at the Augusta County
Courthouse, to purchase heirloom fruit trees
for the American Frontier Museum, and to
provide summer annuals for the city.
The club was proud that it had three
members, Mrs. Perry, Mrs. Thomas R. Nelson
(Frances), and Mrs. Thomas W. Dixon (Doris)
on The GCV Inter-Club Speakers' Bureau.
During the 1980s, the club went afield to
Fort Defiance, Middlebrook, Waynesboro,
rural Fishersville, and Wintergreen for His-
toric Garden Week tours. Proceeds increased
to over $12,000.
97
Mrs. Sproul won the Eleanor Truax Harris
Cup for lilies in 1981. In 1984, Mrs. Thomas
won the Tri-color for Best Bloom in The GCV
Lily Show, and in 1988 she and her sister-in-
law, Mrs. Wyat B. Timberlake ill (Mary), won
the Tri-color in the Inter-club Class. Mrs.
John R. Hamilton (Dede) won the Tri-color
and blue ribbon in in the Inter-club Division
in 1985. The AGC won blue for its test col-
lection in The GCV Rose Shows for three
years: 1987, 1988, 1989.
All through the years, members enjoyed
the warm friendship in meeting every other
year with The Spotswood Garden Club in
Harrisonburg and The Blue Ridge Garden
Club in Lexington.
Mrs. Malcolm H. Livick, Mrs. T.
Claybrook Elder, Mrs. William F. Sowers,
Mrs. Preston C. Manning, Jr., and Mrs. P.
William Moore, Jr., served as club presidents
during the 1980s.
1990-1995
Conservation went from members attend-
ing 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 1994-
1996.
On May 3, 1991, representatives of The
Garden Club ofVirginia attended the dedica-
tion ceremony of the Woodrow Wilson Birth-
place 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 land-
scape architect, included trees, bulbs, box-
wood, and perennials.
In the past a working relationship existed
between The AGC and the Staunton Public
 Follow the Green Arrow
Library. The club did the landscaping, gave
the memorials, and provided tender loving
care. It seemed proper that the club assume
some responsibility for the new public library,
a remodeled school building given by the city.
The club engaged Carlton Abbott, a landscape
architect, to draw a plan for the site, an entire
city block in the heart of town. It was the club's
largest project and a very special one.
Club presidents during the early 1990s
were Mrs. Rudolph Bumgardner, Jr., Mrs.
Barbara Hunter Grant, and Mrs. William W.
Gibbs.
THE BLUE RIDGE GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
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 lily-
lovers to proper places. Members giggled as
they passed to the next club both the pedes-
tals 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 Gar-
den 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 en-
larged). Members helped and encouraged
young people in the community in a "clean-
up" campaign to remove litter from the high-
ways.
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-at-
Large (1979-1982). Mrs. William W. Old III
98
(Marguerite) was The GCV Director of Pub-
lic Relations (1976-1978).
The Garden Club of Virginia completed
the brick terrace and plantings in front of the
Lee Chapel at Washington and Lee Univer-
sity in 1977. The club attended the dedica-
tion with pride.
Money was needed for the club to spon-
sor the Board of Governors' Meeting in Oc-
tober 1980 and to improve the entrance to the
Chessie Trail. Christmas house tours were the
answer.
Club presidents in the 1970s were Mrs.
W. P. Davis, Mrs. Thomas Gentry, Miss Mar-
garet C. Davis, Mrs. William Washburn, and
Mrs. George M. Brooke, Jr.
1980-1990
In October 1980, the Board of Governors'
Meeting was enjoyed by both members and
visitors. The first GCV Common Wealth
Award was given to The Blue Ridge Garden
Club for landscaping the entrance to the C&O
Walking Trail.
After three days of meetings and enter-
tainments with The GCV Board of Gover-
nors, the members took off their party clothes,
put on gardening gloves, and worked on the
trail by the river. The bushes and bulbs the
members planted were washed away when the
floods came in 1985. The next year all were
replanted.
When the hospital garden had to give way
to needed buildings, the interest in plants
moved to cemeteries, to Hopkins Green in
downtown Lexington, to the garden of the
Stonewall Jackson House, and to plantings
along Route 11 North. The GCV advised
learning about wildflowers, so wildflower
walks were held each spring. Members worked
in their gardens and arranged flowers for
shows in Lexington and for The GCV Flower
Shows. They received ribbons twice for In-
ter-Club arrangements. The BRGC minutes
stated firmly that the 1980s were "not a disas-
ter."
Mrs. Old was appointed Chairman ofThe
GCV Editorial Board 1988-1990.
Club presidents in the 1980s were Mrs.
 The Member Clubs
Mrs Thomas H Tullzdge, · · · an dMrs. Wi.,,
Mrs. B. McCluer Gzllzam
· · 8 d ,1·G 'M ·
iam W. Old III at the 19 0 Boar, o1 overnors eetzng.
George M. Brooke, Jr., Mrs. Carrington C.
Tutwiler, Jr., Mrs. I. Taylor Saunders II, Mrs.
William Old, Mrs. Farris P. Hotchkiss, and
Mrs. Albert C. Gordon.
1990-1995
To raise funds, members sold Christmas
greens to VMI and W&L, to the Horse Cen-
ter, and to downtown stores. To enhance the
beauty of the city and the bank account of the
garden club, all Lexington celebrated the holi-
days with lovely box and balsam. Pickles and
jams were sold at the community festival.
The club continued to tend to the Chessie
Trail, although another flood washed much
of what had been done away. Members saw
that "Welcome to Historic Lexington" signs
were installed at the four entrances to the
town, and plantings around the signs were put
in place. The trees along the road to the Horse
Center were saved from the Virginia Depart-
ment of Transportation's zeal to cut them
down.
Members continued to hold offices in The
Garden Club of Virginia. Mrs. Old was Chair-
man of the Editorial Board 1992-1994, and
Mrs. H. Laurent Boetsch (Elizabeth) was
Chairman of the Slides Collection (1992-
1994) and elected Recording Secretary (1994-
99
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 Gen-
try, and Mrs.John Prillaman.
THE BOXWOOD
GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
111-
Theb' Boxwood Garden
Cl
u s 1ast 2 5 years were
filled with learning, doing,
and having fun. Books on these subjects were
purchased, and a sizable collection was pre-
sented 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 headquar-
ters.
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 (Lo-
gan) to develop the James River area as a pub-
lic park.
In October of that same year Mrs. Ben-
jamin 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 mem-
bers to participate in some capacity. Mrs.
 Follow the Green Arrow
Walther Maser (Sally) painted roses on pink
aprons for the workers at the show.
Mrs. Edmund W. Hening, Jr. (Emily
Jane), 1973 project chairman, announced that
the City of Richmond Planning Commission
and the Urban Design Committee had ap-
proved the Boxwood design for planters for
the Richmond Library. The next year, while
Mrs. Richard H. Catlett, Jr. (Barbara) served
as project chairman, the club supplied three
large cement urns and seven rectangular plant-
ers for the library's east side. These were filled
with large attractive shrubs.
In 1974, a third Massie Medal came to
Boxwood when Mrs. Flowers received it as
an award to "Mary Frances Flowers who,
crowning a lifetime of service, became the
guiding spirit of the Kent-Valentine House."
Every two years, the Chairmanship of
Historic Garden Week rotates among the four
GCV Richmond clubs. Mrs. John S. Battle,
Jr. (Grace) ably led this endeavor from 1973-
1975.
Mrs. Charles B. Miller (Anne), GCV
Chairman of Conservation from 1978-1980,
was among those instrumental in starting the
Common Wealth Fund.
Mrs. Charles C. Broaddus, (Carolyn),
widely known for her roses, received The
GCV Horticulture Award of Merit in 1978.
In 1979, Boxwood sponsored the 59th
Annual Meeting of The Garden Club of Vir-
ginia. Co-chairmen for the meeting were Mrs.
Ivor Massey, Mrs. Owen, and Mrs. Charles L.
Reed, Jr. (Ann). Mrs. Robert E. Anderson ill
(Polly) received a GCV Horticulture Award
of Merit.
During the decade of the 1970s Boxwood
was ably led by its club presidents, Mrs. Ru-
therford H. Spessard, Mrs. Ivor Massey, Mrs.
DeWitt F. Helm, Jr., Mrs. Heth Owen, Jr.,
and Mrs. Merritt W. Foster, Jr.
1980-1990
As the 1980s arrived, Boxwood began to
have a great deal of concern and enthusiasm
for the restorations and beautifications of The
Garden Club of Virginia. Members, eager to
expand their knowledge of restorations,
100
planned programs to visit plantations and
homes.
The four GCV Richmond clubs shared a
project to help landscape the East Terrace of
the Science Museum of Virginia. With Mrs.
William A.Johns as chairman, the clubs spon-
sored a flower-arranging clinic conducted by
Sheila Macqueen, British authority on the sub-
ject. Boxwood's total contributions to the Sci-
ence Museum project came from these rev-
enues. This project, one segment of the Mas-
ter Plan for the museum, began in 1977 and
was completed in 1981.
Mrs. Richard P. Hankins (Eleanor) re-
ceived a GCV Horticulture Award of Merit
in 1981. Mrs. Charles L. Reed, Jr. was ap-
pointed Chairman of Historic Garden Week
(1981-1983).
In 1982, the Franklin Street project gave
the club an opportunity to work with the His-
toric Richmond Foundation, the Junior
League, and a private corporation, Comer
Associates, which owned the property at the
comer of Franklin andJefferson streets. This
project was to create an urban park. Land-
scaped and planted with appropriate shrubs
and trees, it added greatly to the charm of the
200 block of Historic West Franklin Street.
A flower show program was held in 1983
at the home of Mrs. Bruce C. Gottwald
(Nancy) for members and "our men." It was
called "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow."
Everyone was supplied with a schedule ahead
of time and the results were most interesting.
To the delight of all, this program was to be
repeated a few years later.
In 1984, Mrs. J. Kimpton Honey (Anne)
brought to the projects committee an idea
from a club in Boca Grande, Fla. She de-
scribed "Tablescapes," table settings for dif-
ferent social events, which became one of
Boxwood's most ambitious endeavors. After
lengthy discussion and hard work under the
direction of co-chairmen, Mrs. Benjamin
Harrison and Mrs. Richard H. Catlett, Jr.,
"Tablescapes and Fun Settings" was presented
in 1985 for the first time at the Tuckahoe
Woman's Club. It was a complete success in
attendance as well as proceeds.
Mrs. George L. Tumer (Wilson) attended
 The Member Clubs
the 64th Annual Meeting in 1984 and wel-
comed her daughter, Mrs. Benjamin W.
Mears, Jr. (Katty), as the incoming President
of The Garden Club of Virginia.
Mrs. Charles B. Miller, project chairman,
proposed in 1985 that the club landscape a
small entrance garden at the Virginia Home.
This was done with plantings of azaleas and
low shrubs around the circular drive and added
greatly to the pleasure of the residents of the
Home.
Mrs. Merritt W. Foster, Jr. (Mary) was
elected a Director-at- Large of The GCV
(1986-1989).
Mrs.John W. Bates III (Beverly) and Mrs.
Collins Denny III (Anne) were busy prepar-
ing in 1986 for "Tab1escapes II" to be given at
the Carillon in 1987. Mrs. Harrison, artistic
director for the event, acquainted] ohn Loring
of Tiffany's in N ew York with the magnitude
of the show. After seeing the brochure on the
original show, Mr. Loring asked to be allowed
to exhibit along with Boxwood members' 23
vignettes. H e prepared a beautiful entry and
in September 1987 published two pictures of
"Tablescapes" in his magazine, The Tiffany
Bride. "Tablescapes" appeared also in Veranda
Magazine.
The next large project was held at the
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. The club co-
sponsored, along with the other three GCV
Richmond clubs, the purchase of garden fur-
niture there. Each club gave $4000 toward
this garden, paying $1000 a year over a four-
year period.
In 1989, The GCV four Richmond clubs
were invited to take part in the Maymont
Flower Show at the Coliseum. With Mrs.
Hubert S. Taylor,J r. (Mary Glen) as chairman,
members filled baskets with beautiful flowers
and sold them at the show.
Boxwood sponsored The GCV Rose
Show at the Science Museum in 1989. Mrs.
Taylor headed "The Orient Express" which
was a beautiful example of the many talents of
all the clubs.
This decade was again ably led by Mrs.
Edmund W. Hening, Jr., Mrs. Richard H.
Catlett, Jr., Mrs. Charles A. Gregory,Jr., Mrs.
Robert E. Anderson III, and Mrs. Hubert S.
101
Taylor, Jr.
1990-1995
In the early 1990s, the club looked to the
future and made some changes.
In 1991-1992, the members voted to in-
crease membership from 55 to 65.
Historic Garden Week had as its Chair-
man in 1989-1991 Mrs. Merritt W. Foster, Jr.
Mrs. Hubert S. Taylor, Jr. received a GCV
Horticulture Award of Merit in 1992 .
Since 1953, the club had sent campers to
Nature Camp in Vesuvius. Now summer
campers are sent to nature camps at Maymont
and the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.
The club was proud to learn in 1992 that
Mrs. George L. Turner's other daughter, Mrs.
W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr. (Helen), was elected
President of The Garden Club of Virginia.
Members worked hard on the Fine Arts
and Flowers Show at the Vtrginia Museum of
Fine Arts in 1992. They have continued to
participate and exhibit in this successful en-
deavor.
Boxwood began to search for a new fund
raiser. The Bettie Bearden Pardee Lecture/
Luncheon was chosen and held in the spring
of 1993 in the Virginia Historical Society's
beautiful auditorium addition. Mrs. William
H. Neal (Mary Sue) assisted Mrs. Pardee in
countless ways. Mrs. Frank S. Miller III
(Loretta) and Mrs. Collins Denny (Anne)
served as co-chairmen, and the hard work by
members resulted in a tremendous profit for
the club.
From these profits Boxwood was able to
give $5000 to the restoration and renovation
of the Kent-Valentine House in honor of Mrs.
George H. Flowers, Jr. for her dedication and
countless hours of work for the house. Box-
wood member Mrs. Richard H. Catlett,Jr. was
serving as Co-Chairman of the Kent-Valen-
tine House Long-Range Planning Commit-
tee during this period.
Boxwood's interest in the James River
Park System continues. In 1993, under the
guidance of Mrs. Richard T. Hood III (Molly)
and Mrs. George Cook Howell III (Cissy), a
project was researched to educate children of
 Follow the Green Arrow
all ages on wildflowers. The end result was
the funding by Boxwood of the publication of
handouts identifying early spring, late spring,
and early summer wildflowers. A scavenger
hunt accompanied by a teacher's guide was also
developed and printed.
The four GCV Richmond clubs came
together once again in 1994 and sponsored
the Maymont Flower Show's opening night
Gala.
As the club approaches the end of this
twenty-five year history, its members are still
learning, doing, and having fun. It still exhib-
its fine leadership during the first half of this
decade with the following presidents: Mrs.
Frank B. Miller III, Mrs. Walter W. Craigie,
Jr., and Mrs. Charles L. Reed, Jr.
TIIE BRUNSWICK GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
The deed of the decade for The
Brunswick Garden Club was the 197 5 GCV
Rose Show in Lawrer!ceville. With a small
membership, it took derring-do to bring if off.
With each member serving on an average of
four committees, the results were rosy.
During the 1970s, the club presented nine
Historic Garden Week tours, ranging from
18th-century homes at Hampden-Sydney
College to new residences at Lake Gaston.
The home of Governor and Mrs. Albertis S.
Harrison, Jr. (Lacey Virginia), was included
on the Lawrenceville Tour.
The club cooperated with local organiza-
tions in the plantings at the historic Brunswick
County Courthouse and the new County
Government Building.
The club celebrated its 50th anniversary
with a luncheon at the Kent-Valentine House
in March 197 4. The Brunswick Garden Club
seal, stitched in needlepoint by Mrs. A. R.
Meredith, Jr. (Sue) from a design by Mrs. J.
B. Rawlings (Mildred) was donated for the rug
in the Kent-Valentine House. The club pre-
sented an inscribed antique brass candlestick
to Prestwould in honor of Mrs. R. W. Bragg
(Virginia) who had worked tirelessly as an early
102
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 ral-
lied to the call for hostesses at Brandon Plan-
tation several times and at Prestwould peren-
nially.
The tradition of a Christmas party for
members and spouses was begun with the
home of the lucky hostess completely deco-
rated for the season by club members. One
year the decorations were judged. The party
pushed back into November the annual "Holi-
day 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. ·
In community activities, the club worked
with the Lawrenceville Town Council in clean-
up projects at several unsightly spots and pur-
chased bluebird boxes for the Brunswick
Country Club and for Oakwood Cemetery in
Lawrenceville.
In 1987, all hands were called into ser-
vice when the club was hostess for The GCV
Board of Governors' Meeting. A pool-side
supper with (of course) Brunswick Stew
served, a cocktail party at the home of Gover-
nor and Mrs. Harrison, and a slide program
on wildflowers of Brunswick County were
among the offerings.
The club participated in 1988 in the
"Constitution Oak" project of The GCV and
the Vrrginia Department ofForestry. Ten oaks
were planted in the county, including one, with
ceremony, on the Brunswick County Court-
house Square.
During the decade, Mrs. J. T. Butler, Jr.
 The Member Clubs
Mrs. W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr. and Governor
Harrison, October 1987.
(Anne) served in three GCV positions: Chair-
man of the Admissions Committee, Chairman
of the Slides Collection, and a Director-at-
Large.
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 senti-
mental 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
103
ofTransportation in highway plantings. Wild-
flowers, crape myrtles, magnolia trees, and
canna bulbs have been planted at four sites on
Route 58 in Brunswick County. The club was
aided in this project by grants from Peebles,
Inc.
Historic Garden Week openings featured
old favorites including Prestwould, Amelia,
Hampden-Sydney College, and a newcomer,
Emporia. ·The club made donations to
Prestwould for two projects, the dining room
wallpaper and a slave building.
The club, for Earth Day 1990, made a
donation to the Nature Trail at Southside Vir-
ginia Community College. A few hardy mem-
bers hiked the trail the day of the presenta-
tion. Four bird feeders were installed at a lo-
cal nursing home in 1991, and club members
have supplied feed.
Twelve presidents, past and present, at-
tended the club's 69th annual birthday party
meeting in March 1993.
In April 1993, members were guests for a
sentimental "return visit" to Carter's Grove
with a business meeting and lunch in a con-
ference building, and a tour of the house and
grounds. Mrs. Archibald McCrea, who had
been a charter member of The Brunswick
Garden Club when it was founded in 1924,
and who with her husband had restored and
renovated Carter's Grove in the late 1920s,
had entertained the Brunswick Garden Club
fifty years earlier at a tea at Carter's Grove in
November 1934.
Club presidents during the early 1990s
were Mrs. Lloyd V. Bell, Jr., Mrs. Wilbur H.
Brown, and Mrs. Michael F. Moorman.
TIIE CHARLOTI'ESVILLE
GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
Early in this decade members braved hur-
ricane 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 de-
ceased member's husband (Mr. Charles
 Follow the Green Arrow
Barham) to become an honorary member of
The Charlottesville Garden Club, and he gra-
ciously accepted.
During this decade, the club continued to
work on the landscaping project at Bloomfield,
a home for handicapped children. New
projects included a contribution to "HANDS"
for the landscaping of Piedmont Virginia
Community College. This organization,
sponsored by Sears and dedicated to the beau-
tifying of the community, was coordinated by
the Council of Garden Clubs. The club also
undertook the landscaping of the Rescue
Squad's headquarters and continued this
project for several years. Contributions in-
cluded funds for the landscaping of the new
addition at the Martha Jefferson Community
Hospital, for the landscaping of Brownsville, a
local school, and for the Bicentennial Center.
Mrs. M. C. Wilhelm CJ ean), who taught
creative drama in schools as a volunteer, con-
ceived the idea of a Bicentennial project. It
consisted of poster boards with a picture and
short history of historic properties restored by
The Garden Club of Virginia. Other club
members made dried arrangements to accom-
pany the pictures. The project was displayed
in elementary schools and exhibited at the
Bicentennial Center during Historic Garden
Week in 197 6.
Each slimmer children were sent to Na-
ture Camp. Flowers were taken on a regular
basis to the University of Virginia Hospital,
and members planted a small plot of the
J effersonia diphylla plant at Monticello. The
club donated books to the Kent-Valentine
House in honor of or in memory of members.
Books dealing with environmental concerns
were purchased for schools. Members made
Christmas wreaths for Bloomfield, libraries,
and Martha Jefferson House, a retirement
home.
Miss Virginia Bowen was Co-Chairman
of The GCVFlower Shows (1973-1974).
In 1973, Historic Garden Week chairmen
considered the difficulties and duplications en-
countered by the three Charlottesville clubs of
The GCV and decided to cooperate in the
planning. One club would have the responsi-
bility of selecting the homes and overseeing
104
the total operation. The other two clubs
would obtain ads and take care of the publicity.
The plan was implemented and worked well.
In 197 6, a committee worked with mem-
bers of St. Anthony Hall, a UVA fraternity
with the oldest house on the grounds, to im-
prove its landscaping. In 1979, the club in-
vestigated and established a rooftop garden at
the UVA Hospital. This project was ultimately
named the Common Wealth Award winner.
To finance these projects, flower arrangements
were made for social events in the commu-
nity, bluebird houses were sold, an annual
pansy and perennial sale was held, a Flower
Conditioning Calendar and needlepoint kits
of theJeffersonia diphylla were sold to mem-
bers, a gardening handbook, "How Green is
Your Thumb," was compiled and sold, and in-
club Christmas auctions of seasonal and hand-
made items were held.
The J effersonia diphylla, the club's logo,
was chosen for the needlepoint rug represent-
ing The GCV member clubs. Mrs. Peyton E.
Weary CJ an) was the artist, and Mrs. William
D . Bayles (Mavis) did the needlepoint.
The five club presidents who gave in-
spired leadership to The Charlottesville Gar-
den Club during this decade were Mrs.
Bennett H. Barnes, Jr. (Gene), Mrs. Legare
K. Tarrant (Cornelia), Mrs. Byrd S. Leavell
(Nancy), Mrs. Richard M. Brandt (Tice), and
Mrs. Peter C. Manson (Nancy).
1980-1990
During the 1980s, the club was extremely
active with projects and fund raising. To raise
funds many gardening items, including our
highly desirable garden gloves, were sold
within the club. In 1980, the club sponsored
a lecture and workshop with Sheila Macqueen,
outstanding English gardener.
In December 1983, the Piedmont Envi-
ronmental Council asked The GCV clubs in
Charlottesville to help found an ecology camp
for children. Mrs. Robert Blizzard (Gladys)
met with representatives of the other two clubs
and developed plans for ARC - Albemarle,
Charlottesville and Rivanna Clubs. Betsy
Dagleish, an environmental teacher and ex-
 The Member Clubs
perienced camper, was secured as Director. A
location for the camp was provided by Mr. and
Mrs.James B. Murray (Bunny). The club par-
ticipated by giving $100 toward operating ex-
penses, sponsoring two scholarships, and send-
ing volunteers to help during sessions.
The club sponsored The GCV Daffodil
Show in 1984. With giant painted daffodils
in the foreground, 1582 daffodils nodded and
85 artistic arrangements lent glorious color to
the site, the UVA Cage.
The club joined The GCV's other two
Charlottesville clubs in nominating Paul
Saunier who won The GCV Award For Meri-
torious Achievement in Conservation in 1985.
Paul was instrumental in getting the Ivy Creek
Natural Area started.
In the fall of 1986, the club explored a
new project, the University of Virginia Fra-
ternities Landscape Renewal Project. Mem-
bers met with the Dean of the School of Land-
scape Architecture who appointed students to
research the project. Five fraternities were
involved, and the members were enthusiastic
and cooperative. Preliminary plans were com-
pleted in May, 1987, and the club committee
met with the UVA Arboretum Committee.
The plans were approved and The Historic
Renovation Corporation became involved.
The club applied for The GCV Common
Wealth Award in 1988 and won second place.
The $2000 awarded to the club was matched
by the Historic Renovation Committee, and
the club voted to allocate $5000 toward the
next phase of the project.
In 1989 the club sponsored another lec-
ture and workshop with Sheila Macqueen.
The club continued to give financial sup-
port of varying amounts to organizations shar-
ing its goals.
During the 1980s, the club was fortunate
to have as its presidents, Mrs. Robert A.
Rutland (Peggy), Mrs. John Page Elliott
(Lois), Mrs. Edward W. Hook Gessie), Mrs.
Edmund H. Henderson (Achsah), and Mrs.
Robert S. Gilliam, Jr. (De).
1990-1995
In the fall of 1991, the club started pre-
105
paring for one of its most ambitious fund-rais-
ing endeavors,"An Entertaining Experience,"
with Keith Knost, a well-known interior de-
signer 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 sup-
ply 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 gar-
dens. 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 rib-
bons 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).
CHATHAM GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
The Chatham Garden Club was hostess
for The Garden Club ofVITginia Rose Show
held at the National Guard Armory in
Chatham in 1970 and 1971.
Gilman Court, a parcel ofland which was
originally deeded to the Chatham Garden
Club in 1936 "to be kept and maintained as a
park," has been lovingly tended through the
years by club members. A Norway spruce was
planted there in 1970 and decorated annually
with white lights during the holiday season.
Also a magnolia tree, a Bradford pear, and sev-
eral dogwood trees have been planted in the
 Follow the Green Arrow
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 Chair-
man of the Board of Supervisors was held June
9, 1971. James W Moody, Executive Direc-
tor of the Virginia Historic Landmarks Com-
mission, was the guest speaker. The Clerk's
Office was originally built in 17 67 at Callands,
eleven miles west of Chatham. The restora-
tion, 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 al-
ways 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 commu-
nity. She created four different formal gar-
den 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 varia-
tion of a square. Each design featured walk-
in paths and a center space for a decorative
garden figurine, bird bath or sundial. In
March 1976, club members made table ar-
rangements 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. Jo-
seph 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
and beautify Chatham. In cooperation with
other garden clubs, members worked to deco-
rate the town by hanging wreaths and garlands
on public buildings. The club annually co-
sponsored a doorway decoration contest and
encouraged the placement of single white
candles in windows by citizens throughout the
community. Members continued to provide
the Pittsylvania County Chamber of Com-
merce with flower arrangements for its annual
banquet and flowers fat special occasions at
the three local private schools.
Chatham won many awards from the
Keep Virginia Beautiful Commission, includ-
ing the award for "the most beautiful town in
Virginia" in 1982. Club members continued
to be very active on the Chatham Beautifica-
tion Committee.
The first annual Christmas Tea was held
in 1986. Club members decorated the home
of the hostess with lovely wreaths and Christ-
mas arrangements, and each invited a guest
from the community to share the Christmas
spirit at this occasion. This project also pro-
vided ideas for decorating members' own
homes.
In May 1986, the club sponsored the first
annual "Picnic-in-the-Park" which was held
in the Town Park. Enthusiasm for this project
has grown each year and is now eagerly an-
ticipated by the community. Proceeds from
this event provided new entry markers for the
park, replaced geranium boxes on Main Street,
purchased hundreds of red geraniums, and
helped to beautify and maintain the Town
Park. Also, each year part of the proceeds was
given to the Pittsylvania Historical Society and
the Chatham Beautification Committee.
As a memorial to Mrs. Vernon Geyer,
(Mickey), who was the daffodil test chairman
for many years, the club planted a bed of daf-
fodils from her test collection garden in the
Town Park. This greatly enhanced the gar-
den in the park and honored the daffodil test
chairman who was also a charter member of
the Chatham Beautification Committee.
To further beautify the community, the
club planted nandina bushes, a crape myrtle,
azaleas, and boxwood in front of the Chatham
Rescue Squad.
 The Member Clubs
Club presidents during the 1980s were
Mrs. Thomas F. Motley III, Mrs. Claude S.
Whitehead, Jr., Mrs. Ben J. Davenport, Jr.,
Mrs. William E. Dickerson, Jr., and Mrs.
Henry C. Hurt, Jr.
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 rec-
ommend 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) super-
vised the special planting of the gardens at
Chatham Hall for the school's centennial cel-
ebration in April 1994.
Mrs. Andrew W. Todd and Mrs.
Theodore E. Bruning served as presidents of
The Chatham Garden Club in the early 1990s.
THE GARDEN CLUB OF DANVILLE
1970-1980
The decade of the 70s was one of accom-
plishment and cooperation for The Garden
Club of Danville. The club sponsored the
annual Daffodil Shows of The Garden Club
of Virginia in 1971 and 1972. Held in the
Stratford College Gymnasium, the Show had
as its theme "Designs for the 70s." Husbands
participated by building a full-sized gazebo to
107
grace the setting. These talented and loyal
men were made honorary members of the
club.
As conservation became a very timely
topic, the club joined this crusade. Using re-
cycled leaves, the members bagged, hauled and
sold mulch by the bag or pick-up truck load.
Price: $1.00 per bag or $7 .00 for a truck load.
Oh, for the good ole' days!
Upkeep of Grove Street Cemetery (dat-
ing from 1833) had always been of great in-
terest and concern to the club. In 1978, mem-
bers voted to form a committee to hold an
annual Grove Street Cemetery "Spruce-up
Day." Each April, club members armed with
shears, rakes, clippers, and trash bags de-
scended upon the ancient grounds and worked
enthusiastically until lunch time. One year
the committee decided that each participant
should bring a tidbit to enjoy following the
work day. Committee chairmen were con-
cerned about having an adequate amount of
food. They need not to have worried! Food
came in such abundance that one member lik-
ened it to food falling like manna from heaven,
complete with pitchers ofBloody Marys. Fol-
lowing this Lucullan feast, the committee de-
cided to appoint hostesses yearly to prepare a
light lunch for Spruce-up participants.
Club presidents during the 1970s were
Mrs. James W. Jennings, Mrs. W. Hugh
Moomaw, Mrs. Dudley Overbey, Mrs. A.
Banks Turner, and Mrs. Charles C. Freed, Jr.
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 be-
cause of the number of items to be sold: trees,
ferns, house plants, shrubbery, pots, and deco-
rative items for house and yard.
Successful fund raising and careful prepa-
rations culminated in a lovely Annual Meet-
ing 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-
 Follow the Green Arrow
rics. Everyone was much surprised when a
strong wind came up sending tablecloths bil-
lowing in the air. No one dreamed that this
might be an ill wind until the next evening
when the formal banquet was held at the
Danville Golf Club. The tables were beauti-
fully set; the arrangements were exquisite.
Only one thing seemed slightly awry. The
grand piano needed to be moved just inches.
Waiters came forth quickly to move the pi-
ano. Crash! Legs of the old piano splintered
and the piano went down on the floor. What
to do? The committee proved itself to be val-
iant. Undaunted, they called a local company
which, within the hour, delivered a substitute
piano, and an innovative member threw a
beautiful tablecloth over the collapsed one.
The catastrophe lent excitement to the
evening.
In 1985, there was also a catastrophe at
the Memorial Mansion, now the Danville
Museum of Fine Arts and History. Upkeep
of the Mansion grounds continued to be a
project of the club. During a period of heavy
rain, the lower floor of the mansion flooded,
and many of the plants had to be moved in
order for repairs to be made. The shrubbery
did not survive the move, and the club made
two major contributions to the grounds com-
mittee for replacements. The back entrance
of the museum was changed by the addition
of an elevator. A dogwood tree, shrubs, and
mulch made the entrance more attactive. This
project continued to be of major interest to
the club. In the words of a past chairman of
the Memorial Mansion grounds committee,
"it is a constant and never-ending project," as
members weed, water, plant, and donate plants
from their gardens.
Club presidents during the 1980s were
Mrs. Richard G. Barkhouser, Mrs. Gordon R.
Woody,Jr., Mrs. Calvin W. Fowler, Mrs. Ken-
neth R. Bell, and Mrs.John M. Stoneburner.
1990-1995
Seasons change, time moves on, and the
1990s arrived. The Garden Club of Danville
remained devoted to the Grove Street Cem-
etery and Memorial Mansion projects. For a
108
Lily Test Collection, Mrs. Francis H.
McGovern (Rebecca) prepared beds and lov-
ingly planted her lilies. She waited in vain for
signs of growth. Finally, Mrs. McGovern dis-
covered that something had enjoyed her lilies,
even if she and the garden club members had
not. Voles had eaten every bulb. Voles did
not devour the lilies of Mrs. Charlton B.
Strange, Jr. (Carol). Her talents and her lilies
commingled and won for Mrs. Strange and
The Garden Club of Danville the Presidents
of The Garden Club of Virginia Trophy for
the best Inter-club arrangement at The GCV
Annual Lily Show in 1992.
The club was saddened by the death ofits
beloved member, Mrs. James W. Perkinson
(Siggie) in 1993'. Mrs. Perkinson served as
The Garden Club of Virginia Rose Test Col-
lections Chairman from 1978 to 1990. AtThe
GCV Annual Meeting May 10, 1990, Mrs.
Lilburn T. Talley (Nancy), The GCV Presi-
dent, read a letter praising Mrs. Perkinson for
her love of roses and for her work as Rose Test
Chairman.
And so, as the seasons progressed, the club
looked forward to Historic Garden Week and
a plant sale for The GCV Daffodil Show the
club will sponsor in 1996 and 1997. Will these
be picture-perfect shows, with no ill winds
blowing or???. Only the next history of The
GCV will tell.
Club presidents 1990-199 5 were Mrs.
Charlton B. Strange, Jr., Mrs. Gus W. Dyer,
Jr., and Mrs. William]. Erwin, Jr.
DOLLEY MADISON GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
The 1970s were busy years for Dolley
Madison Garden Club. Members worked to-
ward excellence in horticulture, conservation,
and beautification. They performed duties
locally and were Chairmen of Committees in
The Garden Club of Virginia.
A Past President of The Garden Club of
Virginia (1964-1966), Mrs. Wyatt A. Williams
(Dottie) was a dedicated gardener. She re-
ceived the Eleanor Truax Harris Challenge
 The Member Clubs
Cup at The GCV Lily Show in 1970 and The
Sponsor's Cup at the Lily Show in 1972. Mrs.
Williams was appointed The GCV Chairman
of Finance in 1974-1976.
Mrs. Joseph M. Mercer (Virginia) was Chair-
man of The GCV JOURNAL from 1970-
1972 and was awarded the Violet Niles Walker
Memorial Cup at The GCV Lily Show in
1977. Mrs. Wilfred T. Grenfell, Jr. (Nora)
served as The GCV Lily Test Collection
Chairman 1976-1980. Mrs.John S. Mcintyre
(Ann) was awarded the Yancie Donegan Casey
Memorial Award in 1979 for old garden roses.
Mrs. Williams' scholarly book Historic
Virginia Gardens was published by The Gar-
den Club of Virginia in 1975. For this valu-
able source of garden information and for her
long and distinguished service to the DMGC
and The GCv, she was awarded the Massie
Medal in 197 6.
The club's local tour de force was helping
Project Pride of Orange with the planting of
trees, shrubs, window boxes, and planters on
Main Street. In 197 5 a gift from Mr. and Mrs.
Jacquelin E. Taylor (Helen Marie) for devel-
oping Taylor Park was given to the town with
the stipulation that Dolley Madison Garden
Club help with the planting and maintenance
of the park. Under the able direction of Mrs.
Williams and her committee, the Dolley
Madison Garden Club did an outstanding job,
and the project became an ongoing one for
the club.
Club presidents during the 1970s were
Mrs. Harrison P. Bresee, Mrs. Wilfred T.
Grenfell, Jr., Mrs. Atwell W Somerville, Mrs.
Alexander T. Stumpf, Mrs. Childress Hill, and
Mrs. Harry C. Mason.
1980-1990
During the 1980s the members ofDMGC
were encouraged to put their forces behind
conservation and recycling projects. A Natu-
ral 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
guiding force of the camp. She also served as
Chairman of The GCV Conservation and
Beautification Committee 1986-1988. Mr.
Scott won The GCV Award for Meritorious
Achievement in Conservation in 1982 for his
educational programs on the consequences of
uranium mining in Virginia.
Members remained active in all three of
The Garden Club of Virginia Flower shows.
Mrs. Donald R. Ober (Vibeke) was named The
GCV Lily Test Collections Chairman in 1986-
1988. Mrs. Robert F. Gillespie, Jr. (Catherine)
won the Louise Morris Goodwin Bowl at The
GCV Daffodil Shows in 1988 and 1989. The
beautification of the highways continued with
the planting of dogwood and helping with the
clean-up job in the town of Orange.
Club presidents during the 1980s were
Mrs. Theodore G. Scott, Jr., Mrs. Charles V.
Rich, Jr., Mrs. H. Pendleton Bresee, Jr., Mrs.
Robert F. Gillespie, Jr., and Mrs. John Y.
Faulconer.
1990-1995
The 1990s arrived with a never-ending
schedule. First and foremost was DMGC's
sponsoring of The GCV Lily Shows in 1993
and 1994. Plans were made, money was raised,
and many committee meetings were held. All
of it paid off with the 1993 Lily Show, "You're
Invited to a Wedding," staged at Woodberry
Forest School - former home of Mrs. Joseph
Walker, first Lily Test Collection Chairman
forThe GCV.
Mrs. Robert F. Gillespie, Jr. (Catherine)
was awarded the Louise Morris Goodwin
Bowl at The GCV Daffodil Show in 1990 and
was appointed The GCV Daffodil Test Col-
lections Chairman in 1991-1994. Mrs. John
F. Jam es (Abigail) won the Jacqueline Byrd
Shank Memorial Trophy at The GCV Daffo-
dil Show in 1991.
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Mrs.
William G. Falcon (Trish), Dolley Madison
Garden Club began a monthly newsletter.
Included are items of interest, hints and helps
for gardening, and notification of regular club
meetings.
Time marches on and members of
 Follow the Green Arrow
DMGC continue to contribute their many and
diverse talents for horticulture, conservation,
and beautification.
Club presidents during the early 1990s
were Mrs. Gilbert K. Queitzsch and Mrs.
Donald R. Ober.
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 Guide-
book from 1972 until 1992. The club was also
indeed proud of its dedicated and outstand-
ing 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 spear-
heading the drive to remove abandoned ve-
hicles 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 needle-
point 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 Gar-
den 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, alter-
nating annually between intramural shows and
ones open to outside entries. A plant sale usu-
ally accompanied each show. The GCV Hor-
ticulture 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).
110
Three landscaping projects were com-
pleted during the 1970s. Carefully selected
specimens were placed at the Eastville Court-
house. 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 de-
signed and supervised by members of the Gar-
den Club of the Eastern Shore.
In 1979 Mrs. Guy L. Webster 0ane) do-
nated $1,000 for the club to begin the Angel
Account, a special fund available only for des-
ignated 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.
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 of-
fices.
Mrs. Giles C. Upshur Ganie) won a Hor-
ticulture Award of Merit in 1980.
Kerr Place, home of the Eastern Shore
Historical Society, was chosen by The Gar-
den 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
 The Member Clubs
outstanding collection of Catesby prints to
The GCV for display in the Kent-Valentine
House.
At the death of noted horticulturist and
founder of The Garden Club of the Eastern
Shore, Mrs. Littleton H. Mears (Nannie) in
October 1982, the Garden Club of the East-
ern Shore presented an 1890 sterling silver
chop plate to The GCV as a memorial to Mrs.
Mears. The plate is used as a perpetual tro-
phy at The GCV Daffodil Show and presented
for the best Inter-club arrangement.
At the request of the APVA, the club un-
dertook the supervision of the restoration and
the maintenance of Mrs. Mears' garden at her
home, Holly Brook, near Eastville.
The club conducted a boxwood forum in
1982 which was open to the members of the
three other local garden clubs. Rose Day was
held at Gulf Stream Nursery, former home
and business of Mr. Robert H. Talley. Pro-
ceeds from this event were donated to the
Historical Society for maintenance of the
grounds at Kerr Place. In October 1982 Mrs.
Lucinda W Kellam was chairman of The
GCV Conservation Forum in Richmond.
Also during that year, the club planted 20
Constitution Oaks provided by the Forestry
Service, and a member donated $1,000 to plant
flowering pear trees along the Cherrystone
and Cheriton roadsides.
The club was honored to have one of its
distinguished members, Mrs. Benjamin W
Mears, Jr. (Katty), elected President of The
Garden Club of Virginia from 1984 to 1986.
In 1985, Keep America Beautiful awarded
Mrs. E. Polk Kellam the Mrs. Lyndon B.
Johnson Award for her sustained efforts at
"Beautification in America."
Mrs. David B. Tankard (Suzanne) spear-
headed the project to apply for the 1985 Com-
mon Wealth Award to landscape the grounds
of the Eastern Shore Library. The club re-
ceived a second place award of $500 and was
able to complete the $3,200 project with the
assistance of the Angel Account and individual
club members. In August 1985 the club con-
ducted Project Wild, a conservation workshop
for Eastern Shore Science teachers. Mrs. E.
Polk Kellam, Jr. (Mary Anne) was chairman
111
of this project sponsored by the Commission
of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Mrs. George F. Parsons gave a miniature
silver cup for the best miniature daffodil grown
by a member of the Garden Club of the East-
ern Shore. Eight silver goblets were be-
queathed to the club by Mrs. Lawrence B.
Heffner (Mary Alice) to be used as artistic
awards for club members. Flower shows con-
tinued to be held annually alternating between
"in-house" and open to the public. Mrs. Ri-
chard W Young (Margaret) was chairman of
the committee to plan and supervise the plant-
ing of the Accomac Courthouse Green. Two
flower-arranging workshops were conducted
by Mrs. N. Wescott] acob and Mrs. Benjamin
W Mears,Jr. Bus trips were taken to the Kent-
Valentine House and to Historic Garden
Week in Virginia Beach. The club was de-
lighted to have each presiding President of the
Garden Club of Virginia visit the Garden Club
of the Eastern Shore during this decade.
The Garden Club of the Eastern Shore
celebrated its 50th anniversary in June 1989.
This momentous year was highlighted by the
club's sponsoring The GCV Board of Gover-
nors' Meeting in October. At that time mem-
bers were pleased to receive the 1989 Com-
mon WealthAwardof$5,000, which the club,
in turn, gave to the Chesapeake Bay Founda-
tion. This money, as well as an additional
$2,000 raised from individual members, was
designated to provide scholarships for Virginia
students to use Port Isobel, the CBF island
education center located just off the Eastern
Shore in the Chesapeake Bay near Tangier
Island.
Members serving as president of The
Garden Club of the Eastern Shore during the
1980s were Mrs. John E. Tankard Jr., Mrs.
Donald F. Fletcher, Jr., Mrs. George]. Sav-
age, Jr., Mrs. Harry S. Holcomb III, Mrs.
James A. Stuart, Jr., and Mrs. N. Wescott
Jacob.
1990-1995
The club addressed changing of the times
by becoming more technologically current and
by joining hands with area clubs for special
 Follow the Grem Arrow

projects. The club records were put on mi-

crofilm, and Historic Garden Week became a
one-day tour after its lengthly run as a two-
day event.
In 1990 Mrs. Lucius]. Kellam, Jr. was
awarded the Massie Medal for a lifetime of
dedicated service to The Garden Club ofVir-
ginia. Horticulture awards of Merit were
given to Mrs. N. Wescott Jacob, Mrs. C. W
Dickinson III (Margaret), and Mrs. David B.
Tankard.
The club maintained its historic connec-
tion with the Northampton Accomack Me-
morial Hospital by sponsoring annual schol-
arships (valued at $3,000) for the LPN Pro-
gram at the Nursing School. In addition, the
club completed its $10,000 pledge to the
hospital's Capital Campaign. The club joined
with other local garden groups in a two-year-
bulb-planting project for its Highway Beauti-
fication Project. A $5 ,000 donation was made Mesdames I. William Bagwell III, Boxley T. Tan-
to the Campaign for the Kent-Valentine kard, N Westcott Jacob, Frank M . McCraw, Jr.
House. and Collins Snyder with GCV Presidmt Mrs.
Mrs. N. Wescott Jacob and Mrs. Ben- Hmley L. Guild.
jamin W Mears, Jr. supervised the replanting
of the area around the front gate at Kerr Place. gan a competition in area schools as a means
The club lent to Kerr Place two sterling tro- to broaden the pool oflocal students for Na-
phies, two Minich bowls, and a sterling tea ture Camp; care for The Hermitage Garden
service, presented to the club by Mrs. Guy L. and Kerr Place; support The GCV Flower
Webster's daughter, Mrs. T. W Monteith Shows with award-winning arrangements and
(these items have an approximate appraised horticulture; serve on numerous committes in
value of $17,000). The club also undertook The GCV and as show judges; donate garden
replanting of the Hermitage Garden. books to the county library as memorials to
In 1992 and 1993 members attended and members who have died. For its 50th anni-
participated in The GCV Rose Shows spon- versary the club shifted emphasis from new
sored by The Princess Anne Garden Club. plantings to maintaining and restoring land-
Noted club rose horticulturists are Mrs. Frank scape projects undertaken at an earlier time.
Lusk (Peach), Mrs. C. W Dickinson III, Mrs. Club presidents during the early 1990s
David B. Tankard, and Mrs.John E. Tankard, were Mrs. N. Wescott Jacob, Mrs. David B.
Jr. Club daffodil horticulturists are Mrs. Tankard, and Mrs. Edward A. Ames III.
George F. Parsons, Mrs. Donald F. Fletcher,
Jr., and Mrs. Samuel A. Nock (Evelyn).
A visit was made to the Kent-Valentine TIIE ELIZABETH RIVER
House in 1994. GARDEN CLUB
During the past 25 years the club contin-
ued to: participate in Historic Garden Week; 1970-1980
support NAM Hospital with gifts totaling over
$50,000 for specific projects; replenish crape Throughout its existence, The Elizabeth
myrtles along Lankford Highway (Rt. 13); River Garden Club has placed emphasis on
sponsor participants in Nature Camp and be- conservation, beautification, gardening, and
11 2
 The Member Clubs
flower arranging. Members were required to
submit one arrangement for judging each year,
and the club sponsored flower shows, work-
shops, lectures, and horticulture symposiums.
In April 197 5, under the sponsorship of
and in conjunction with The Nansemond
River Garden Club, the club presented its first
Historic Garden Week Tour. It was a profit-
able and rousing success. The club historian
noted, "The N ansemond River Garden Club
taught us all we know about Garden Week
tour-giving, but they didn't teach us all they
know!"
The Elizabeth River Garden Club was
invited to join The Garden Club of Virginia
as its 45th member club in May 1975. This
union was achieved through the support and
advice of The Garden Club of Virginia clubs
in the area. The members jumped into The
Garden Club of Virginia activities with en-
thusiasm during the late 1970s. They attended
and entered Flower Shows, served on com-
mittees, and attended Judging Schools. The
club celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1977
and sponsored a Japanese flower arranging
lecture and demonstration. Christmas con-
tinued to be "rung in" every December by
decorating a member's house and having a
coffee for invited guests.
Club presidents during the 1970s were
Mrs. J. A. Weatherford, Mrs. E. A. Barham,
Jr., Mrs. 0. P. Delcambre, Mrs. Clinton C.
Boyce, Mrs. Harry G. McCready, and Mrs.
E. A. Barham, Jr.
1980-1990
The Elizabeth River Garden Club hit the
1980s running! Plans were drawn and argu-
ments 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 des-
ignation 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
113
Director-at-Large of The Garden Club of
Virginia in 1983-1986 and First Vice Presi-
dent of The Garden Club of Virginia 1986-
1988. Mrs. Richard S. Bray Gudy; Mrs.
Stephen S. Perry, Jr.) served as The GCV
Flower Shows Chairman in 1986-1988.
Along with the club's community involve-
ment, it made some internal improvements.
Dismayed by the "rampant terror" among
members over flower arranging, the club
battled that terror on several fronts. A "buddy
system" of matching an experienced arranger
with a novice increased confidence. Since four
members were artistic judges of The GCV,
they led in teaching other members, and the
club used in-house judges each month instead
of judges from neighboring clubs. These in-
novations, coupled with workshops, raised
ability noticeably.
Members continued to work on Historic
Garden Week, and Olde Towne proved to be
a great drawing card.
For fun, the club honored husbands and
dates (only one per member) with a Valentine
Party each year. Homeowners opening for
Historic Garden Week were special guests.
Including the homeowners proved to be a real
public relations coup. It created a bond be-
tween club members and homeowners and
eased the uncertainty associated with open-
ing for Garden Week. Club members were
inspired by a trip to the Philadelphia Flower
Show with a stopover in Wilmington, Dela-
ware.
Club presidents during the 1980s were
Mrs. Roger A. Morris, Mrs. Ralph M. Stokes,
Mrs. Edward L. Oast,Jr., Mrs. Arthur Branan,
Jr., and Mrs. Judy B. Bray.
1990-1995
The nineties were busy times for the club
membership. Mrs. Bray served as a Director-
at-Large (1990-1993) and Mrs. Barham as
Recording Secretary (1990-1992) ofThe Gar-
den 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
 Follow the Green Arrow
from the guests, made the months of planning
and work totally worthwhile. The ladies of
the club were left with some grubby hands and
fingernails from sanding and staining the
wooden baskets given as mementoes of the
Meeting.
In 1991, an educational and fund-raising
project, Styles ofFlower Arranging-A Primer,
was well received not only among The GCV
clubs but also nationally.
Reaching into the community, the club
contributed $5 ,000 to the Portsmouth Muse-
ums in 1993 and sent a matching gift of $5 ,000
to the Kent-Valentine House. The club reno-
vated its section of the city's Friendship Gar-
den and continued active participation in
Flower Shows and other events of The Gar-
den Club of Virginia.
The club found new ways to serve Ports-
mouth. The December Coffee was replaced
with a day of decorating the beautifully pre-
served 19th-century Hill House Museum for
Christmas. This home of the horticulturally-
renowned Hill sisters was left to the Ports-
mouth Historical Association.
As a result of hard work and to the relief
of the membership, the club was incorporated
in the state of Virginia in 1992 and granted
tax-exempt status in 1993.
Education, combined with fun, remained
high on the club's list of priorities. A bus trip
for lunch and a tour of the Kent-Valentine
House and an exciting field trip into the Dis-
mal Swamp were highlights. When the
Children's Museum of Virginia opened in
Portsmouth in 1994, the club played an active
role in landscaping the entry mall of the mu-
seum.
Susan Barham was appointed The GCV
Massie Medal Award Chairman 1994-1996
andJudy Bray The GCVHorticulture Chair-
man 1994-1996.
As The Elizabeth River Garden Club ap-
proached it seventieth birthday, it remembered
that the thirty founding members met on the
first Tuesday of the month at Trinity Church.
Sixty members continued to meet on the first
Tuesday of the month at St. John's Church,
three or four blocks from Trinity. Two mem-
bers of the club, Mrs. Fred A. Duke (Hope)
114
and Mrs. Kenneth M. Dennis (Evelyn) were
over 90 years old and participated in most ac-
tivities of the club. Ah, continuity is a lovely
grace.
Club presidents during the early 1990s
were Mrs. Robert W Knapp, Mrs. Claudius
F. Smith, Jr., and Mrs. Patricia B. Halstead.
THE GARDEN CLUB OF FAIRFAX
1970-1980
Fairfax was "put on the map" after The
Garden Club of Virginia Rose Show in 1973.
It was held in the original George Mason
University gymnasium, and the members en-
tertained the guests elegantly and elaborately
in their homes and at Gunston Hall Planta-
tion.
Fairfax always had a number of outstand-
ing and talented members. Mrs. D . H.
Patteson-Knight (Francis) was elected a Di-
rector-at-Large of The Garden Club of Vir-
ginia (1971-1974) and Chairman of The GCV
Flower Shows Committee (197 6-1978). Mrs.
H. John Elliott, Jr. (Edith) won the Eleanor
Truax Harris Challenge Cup at The GCV
Rose Show in 1972 . Mrs. Charles Pozer
(Katherine) who wrote a column, "Around the
Garden Gate" for The Washington Post, won
The Garden Club of Virginia Horticulture
Award of Merit in 1973. Mrs. William Scott
(Barbara) won The GCV Horticulture Award
of Merit in 1977. In 1978 Mrs. C.Meade Stull
(Ebie) was awarded the Edith Farr Elliott Per-
petual Trophy. This was the first time the tro-
phy had been awarded since it was given in
1973. Champagne was served by Mrs. Stull
in the trophy that evening.
For nine years Mrs. Patteson-Knight ar-
ranged flowers for the Washington Cathedral
and wrote a book titled Arranging Flowers For
The Sanctuary. She worked with children in
northeast Washington, where each child was
given a small plot of land to grow vegetables.
At the end of the summer the Mayor of Wash-
ington presented prizes to the children with
the best vegetables. The project was called
"Youth Gardens of Washington." In 1979,
 The Member Clubs
Mrs. Patteson-Knight won the Massie Medal
for her exceptional knowledge of horticulture
and her readiness to teach and help others.
Historic Garden Week played a large part
in the lives of the members of The Garden
Club of Fairfax. They worked hard but en-
joyed every minute of it. At one of the tours,
the following comment was overheard: "Do
you think the homeowners receive some of the
proceeds from the monies made on these
tours?" "Of course they do. You know that
they are not going to let all of these people
tramp through their homes for nothing." Not
true!
The members really "kicked up their
heels" when they celebrated the club's 50th
anniversary October 24, 197 6. It was a memo-
rable evening with cocktails, old movies, books
and pictures oflife in Fairfax for the past 50
years. Two charter members, Mrs. Robert D.
Graham (Ruth) and Mrs. Craig Hunter (Eliza-
beth) were present for the festivities.
Club presidents during the 1970s were
Mrs. Theodore B. McCord, Mrs. H. Wise
Kelly, Jr., Mrs. William Roberts Scott, Mrs.
Paul Peter, Mrs. Frank Mayer Carter, and Mrs.
D. H. Patteson-Knight.
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 rev-
elry 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 Vir-
ginia Training Center for the Mentally Re-
tarded 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 Per-
petual 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.
115
Whipple (Marty) was appointed Chairman of
The GCV Annual and Board of Governors'
Meetings Committee 1986-1988. In June
1988 the club felt privileged to recognize with
a silver salver 12 ladies who had been mem-
bers for twenty-five years or more. Members
continued to broaden their area of talent and
encouraged a new generation of enthusiastic
women. One year The Garden Club of Fairfax
had more members than any other to attend
The GCV Judging School. Articles were writ-
ten for The JOURNAL. Some interesting
titles included "Edible Flowers," "Ornamen-
tal Grasses," and "Flower Shows are Fun."
Members smiled at the last title but did take
all the jobs seriously. They tried to excel.
They tried to encourage.
Another worthwhile project completed at
the end of the decade was the renewing of the
Jermantown Cemetery in Fairfax City. Mem-
bers of the Mount Calvary Baptist Church
made donations in memory of the ancestors
buried in the old cemetery. Along with seed-
ing, trimming, planting, and repairing tomb-
stones, Mrs. Jeffrey Hoyt (Linda) took her
daughter's Brownie troop to the cemetery to
plant daffodil bulbs.
Club presidents during the 1980s were
Mrs. D. H. Patteson-Knight, Mrs. Alton E.
Parker, Mrs. George A. Whipple, Mrs. J.
David Holden, and Mrs. Mrs. Paul C.
Kincheloe, Jr.
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 mem-
bers one rainy morning in September 1993 at
 Follow the Green Arrow
Mrs. C. Meade StuO and Mrs. George A. Whipple,
co-chairmen ofthe 1991 Lily Show.
George Mason University to Elizabeth Brad-
ley Kincheloe Stull. Mrs. Stull and the club
were entertained at a coffee at the home of
President and Mrs.Johnson after the dedica-
tion. Members were saddened by the death
of Ebie Stull, an award-winning rosarian, in
January 1994.
Tradition was the Christmas Auction each
year. Can you believe members fought over
pecan pies, gingerbread cottages, boxwood
centerpieces, and swags? They made it all and
bid against each other. All for a good cause -
community projects. Club members loved
workshops. They became topiary experts and
skilled in interpretive, free form, and abstract
as well as Colonial and Flemish arrangements.
Why did they participate? Why were they
members? Perhaps they desired to learn new
approaches and techniques in the garden, in
arranging, or in conserving the natural re-
sources for their children and grandchildren.
Can we not agree that a love of Virginia was a
part of it all?
Club presidents during the early 1990s
were Mrs. Paul C. Kincheloe,} r., Mrs. Herbert
L. Aman III, and Mrs. Morgan S. Whiteley,
Jr.
116
FAUQUIER AND
LOUDOUN GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
Traveling was a happy highlight of the
1970s for the members of the Fauquier and
Loudoun Garden Club. The club visited the
Hunt Botanical Library at Carnegie-Mellon
University in Pittsburgh, the Brooklyn Botani-
cal Garden, the White House, the State De-
partment, Stratford, St. Augustine and Savan-
nah, and the Brandywine Valley to see "The
Wyeths Paint the Wyeths" and picnic on the
Brandywine admidst the bluebells.
Horticulture was a major interest. The
Amaryllidaceae family was studied for twelve
long months, and the club learned it was not a
cross-eyed daisy as some first thought. Roses,
wildflowers and lilies were stressed also.
Three members presented a program on root-
ing. Thethemewas, "Growyourown: Dolt,
Show It, and Share It." Mrs. John T. Ramey
(Emily) won the Violet Niles Walker Memo-
rial Cup at The GCV Lily Show in 1970, the
Eleanor Truax Harris Challenge Cup at The
GCV Lily shows in 1972 and 1974, and The
Sponsor's Cup in 197 5.
The club celebrated its 60th anniversary
at Confederate Hall, transported to
Middleburg from the 1907 Exposition in
Jamestown, and then the members moved on
to Hickory Hill, the home of Mrs. James P.
Mills (Alice). Members continued to win rib-
bons. Mrs.James L. Wiley (Molly) won Best
in Show at the Rose Show. Mrs. James H.
Herbert (Betty) won Best in Show at the Lily
Show and in 1976 won the Test Collection at
the Lily Show.
Club members held important positions
with The Garden Club of Virginia. Mrs. J.
H. Cunningham (Mary) was elected a Direc-
tor-at-Large of The GCV (1969-1972) and
The GCV Flower Shows Chairman (1974-
1976). Mrs. William Seipp (Misty) served as
Chairman of The GCV Horticulture Com-
mittee (1972-1974). Mrs. B. Powell Harrison
(Agnes) received the deLacy Gray Medal in
197 5 and was elected a Director-at-Large of
 The Member Clubs
The GCV (1977-1980).
The club's Bicentennial project was sav-
ing and maintaining the Crozet Bridge on old
Route 50 (an ongoing project).
The all-absorbing event of 1979 was The
GCV Lily Show at Foxcroft School. The
classes were staged in the school, and the ex-
hibitors stayed in the dormitories.
Sadness struck when, in the midst of many
projects and full of future plans, Mrs. Thomp-
son Woodland (Posey), the club's new presi-
dent, died. Molly Wiley "picked up the
pieces," and the club continued its fine com-
mitments. Another great loss to the club was
the death of Mrs. Charles Morgan (Ann), a
moving force and recent club president.
Two deaths and a flooded basement ac-
counted for the loss of many of the club's
records.
During this decade, the club had four
members reach the age of ninety and remain
active members. Two had been club presi-
dents, one was a prize-winning flower ar-
ranger, one was the club's authority on lilies.
In analyzing their qualities of strength and
enthusiasm it was established that Lucy Keith
touched her toes twenty-five times each morn-
ing, Emily Ramey ate raisin bran every day,
Connie Lyon drank milk every day, and
Catherine Tysowsky sipped bourbon every
night.
Members serving as club presidents dur-
ing the 1970s were Mrs. Thompson Wood-
land, Mrs. James L. Wiley, Mrs. Lyon
Chatfield-Taylor, Mrs. Donald W Patterson,
and Mrs. Samuel T. Adam.
1980-1990
The Fauquier and Loudoun Garden Club
ladies continued their work in horticulture.
The club adopted a local endangered species,
the trout lily. Mrs. W Hunter deButts (Mary
Lee) painted its picture from which postcards
were printed and sold. Mrs. Henley L. Guild
(Virginia) conducted a workshop on arrange-
ments. Henry Mitchell was one of our speak-
ers, and the club had a visit from Miss Jean
Printz, President of The Garden Club of Vir-
ginia.
117
Mrs. William F. Rust, Jr. (Margaret) pro-
moted Sky Meadow National Park. The club
participated by planting a tree at the entrance,
developing a daffodil bed, and advising Park
Rangers on landscaping. Mrs. Harry A.
deButts (Mary Moore) won the Robert S.
Pickens Memorial Trophy at The GCV Lily
Show in 1980.
At Alice's (Mrs. James P. Mills) instiga-
tion and with Betsy's (Mrs. Henry B. R.
Brown) assistance, a resolution was sent to the
Governor of Virginia requesting him to call
upon the Governor of Maryland and the
Mayor of Washington D.C. to join him in
plans for conservation of natural resources and
the orderly development of the Washington
Metropolitan Area. The Garden Club of Vir-
ginia adopted this resolution.
The Fauquier and Loudoun Garden Club
sponsored The GCV Board of Governors'
Meeting in October 1985. Mrs. James L.
Wiley and Mrs. William H. West, Jr.
(Millicent) had members serving as chauffeurs
and taxied guests far and wide to dinner par-
ties which were given in addition to the ban-
quet. Mrs. West was appointed Chairman of
The GCV Annual and Board of Governors'
Meetings Committee (1988-1990). At The
GCV Lily Show in 1988, Mrs. James H.
Herbert (Betty) and Mrs. Donald W.
Patterson (Tish) won Best in Show and Mrs.
George A. Horkan, Jr. (Ann Mari) the Sweep-
stakes.
Historic Garden Week in 1989 brought
out the largest crowds in the history of the
club. One member was heard to repeat and
repeat, "We must be making buckets and
buckets of money," as indeed we did.
The decade ended with a gala Seventy-
Fifth Anniversary celebration at a high noon
luncheon with many warm toasts at Oak Hill,
home of Mrs.Joseph Prendergast Oean). Mrs.
Tysowsky moved into her centennial decade,
still an inspiration and still sipping her nightly
bourbon. Now joined by Mrs. W Hunter
deButts (Mary Lee), they were toasted enthu-
siastically as the oldest and well-loved mem-
bers.
Club presidents during the 1980s were
Mrs. Bertram C. Harrison, Mrs. William F.
 Follow.the Green Arrow
Rush, Jr., Mrs. George Wertenbaker, Mrs.
George C . McGhee, and Mrs. George
Horkan.
1990-1995
The 1990s were off to a roaring start.
Visits to Brookside Garden in Wheaton,
Maryland, the wildflower walk at Mrs. Edwin
Zimmerman's unique beech woods above ·
Goose Creek, Mt. Cuba, and other private
gardens in Wilmington, Delaware, and pri-
vate gardens in Charlottesville left the mem-
bers breathless.
There were excellent speakers at every
meeting, including two open meetings.
Pamela Harper spoke on perennials for horti-
culture, and Elizabeth Haskell, the Virginia
Secretary for Natural Resources, spoke on
conservation at the other. The planning and
planting of the new Middleburg Library
grounds took place under the expert leader-
ship of Mrs. James M. Rowley (Polly). The
project began with a 10-by-20-foot perennial
border of native plants that grew over five
years to encompass the entire grounds. An
informative book on plant material used and
their growth habits was on display inside the
library. Club members continued to main-
tain the garden that was dedicated to the
memory of Susan Clark Twining (Mrs.
Edmund S. Twining). The club was pleased
to have Mrs. Lilburn T. Talley (Nancy), Mrs.
Henley L. Guild (Virginia), and Mrs. W.
Tayloe Murphy, Jr. (Helen) as speakers and
visitors during their terms as Presidents ofThe
Garden Club of Virginia.
The pace did not slacken. The club initi-
ated yearly symposiums as fund raisers. The
first, The Art of Entertaining, Colonial
Williamsburg to Modern Day, featured Mrs.
Libby Oliver from Colonial Williamsburg and
Renny Reynolds from New York City. The
second was on horticulture with Dr. ]. C.
Raulston of North Carolina State University
in Raleigh, Mrs. Elsa Bakalar, Director of
Continuing Education and owner of Hill Top
Gardens in Heath, Mass, and Mr. Alastair
Martin, a designer from England. Both sym-
posiums were wildly successful, despite a ma-
jor flood during the second one. However,
118
the workload made the club decide to do one
every other year.
On a cold January Sunday afternoon, in
conjunction with the Goose Creek Associa-
tion and under the chairmanship of Mrs.
Charles Whitehouse Gan et), the club held a
well-received open meeting featuring the
topic, "Where Have all the Quail Gone?"
Throughout these busy years, the club
continued to win the Lily Test Collection
Class, thanks to Mrs. Donald W. Patterson
(fish) and Mrs. James H. Herbert (Betty).
Under a new member, Mrs.James M. Hack-
man (Donna), the club's horticulture exhibits
and entries reached new heights with never-
ending high commendations and ribbons.
Mrs. George A. Horkan, Jr. (Ann Mari) was
appointed Chairman of The GCVHorticul-
ture Committee (1990-1992), and a Director-
at-Large ofThe GCV (1993-1996). Millicent
West was selected The GCV Historian and
Custodian of Records (1990-1992).
Club members rallied to stop Disney's
plan to tum 300 acres into a historic theme
park and 3000 surrounding acres into golf
courses, homes, and commercial development
in the adjacent county of Prince William. The
adverse impact on Fauquier and Loudoun
would have been enormous.
In March 1995, a Horticulture Sympo-
sium was held as a fund raiser for club projects
and the Kent-Valentine House restoration.
Speakers were Dr. Allan Armitage, Dr. J. C.
Raulston, and Dan Robertson. Over 200
people attended and just under $6000 was
netted.
The year 1995 was a busy one for the
Goose Creek Bridge Committee. Because of
previous heavy winters much damage was oc-
curring, and the club had to expend a good
portion of the Bridge Fund to shore it up and
seal the sides. At the Annual Meeting in May,
Mrs. J. H . Cunningham was awarded the
Massie Medal for her years of outstanding ser-
vice to The Garden Club ofVirginia. It was a
well-deserved honor for her 90th year.
In June, our club celebrated its 80th birth-
day and 20th year of maintaining the Goose
Creek Historic Bridge·across Route 50. It was
a delightful evening featuring speakers, blue
 The Member Clubs
grass music, a picnic supper, and artistic com-
petition 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 provid-
ing 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 Kent-
Valentine House. The club has enjoyed many
meetings there as well as various GCV com-
mittee 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, dog-
wood, 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 ener-
getic and enthusiastic young women. They
stimulated the community's interest in estab-
lishing a Farmers Market. In time this be-
came 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-
119
ful and one in particular extremely memorable.
After a long wet period, and in the midst of a
downpour, visiting tourists became mired in
tons of mud. County farmers saved the day.
One by one, with the use of tractors, the guests
were freed. The $1.50 block ticket certainly
gave them their money's worth.
The Bicentennial Celebration gave mem-
bers an opportunity to show their talents. Not
only did they decorate for many occasions but
were said to be "the hit of the parade."
Diverse programs were enjoyed at the
meetings in the 70s. Buses were chartered to
go on Historic Garden Week tours within a
day's travel distance. An early bus trip to the
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts was a special
treat. Many club meetings were held while
attending Flower Shows. The May luncheon
is the final meeting each year. Reports, acco-
lades, and the awarding of the activity cup
make this a festive occasion.
The members were happy to serve as
hostesses at the James River Plantations dur-
ing Historic Garden Week. They became in-
terested in hostessing also at Bacon's Castle
after the Director visited one of the club's
meetings.
Realizing that time was growing short in
preparing for The GCV Daffodil Show in
1983, the club made plans for a money-mak-
ing Bar Be Que and Barn Dance. This re-
quired the enthusiasm of each member and
the brawn of the husbands. It was a huge suc-
cess, and the club's coffers were enriched.
To promote a little more vigor within the
membership, the club was divided into two
groups - The Tigerlilies and The Wildflow-
ers. Competition was fierce for the accumu-
lation of activity points. The losing team fur-
nished wine at the May luncheon.
Members rolled up their sleeves and pre-
pared to face the 80s.
Club presidents during the 1970s were
Mrs. Emerson P. Jones, Mrs. J. Vaughan Beale,
Mrs. George W Conwell, Mrs. B. Barham
Dodson, and Mrs. C. F. Urquhart.
1980-1990
1980 found the members planning an auc-
 Follow the Green Arrow
tion to ensure adequate financing for The
GCV Daffodil Show. It proved to be the most
successful money raiser in the club's history.
Each member was required to be responsible
for a specific number of articles. The attics of
Franklin were ransacked, and the armory was
filled to capacity. After a Bar Be Que Supper,
the bidding began. By evening's end, folks left
with a smile, and the club was assured of a suc-
cessful 1983 Daffodil Show.
Upon the club's regaining its wits, it was
time to replant "Ole 58." And lo and behold,
the library requested further plantings. Mean-
while, the members were working with the
Southampton Historical Society on the res-
toration of the grounds and gardens of his-
toric Rochelle House in Courtland. A Me-
morial and Beautification Fund was estab-
lished to plant and maintain the gardens.
Feeling a little weary, many members
thought it was now time for "those Juniors"
to became "Seniors." So with much ado, the
young fledgings were welcomed into the fold.
They immediately received a blue ribbon at
the Daffodil Show in Charlottesville and were
ecstatic.
In this decade, there was a renewed inter-
est in Nature Camp. Many youngsters were
f<;>und to be especially interested in this expe-
nence.
Realizing the Capitol grounds lacked a
loblolly pine, the club's logo, the club planted
two. About the same time, the city of Franklin
was designated "Tree City U.S.A." The club
felt responsible for this award.
Wishing to make a greater contribution
to Historic Garden Week, members began
hostessing at Bacon's Castle for the entire week
while continuing to assist at the James River
Plantations.
Bus trips were still a feature of the agenda.
Joining eleven other clubs for the Chesapeake
Bay Symposium encouraged interest in this
area concern. Also of great interest was the
mounting enthusiasm for the Virginia Marine
Science Museum. The club made a pledge to
this undertaking. It was fulfilled in two years,
and meetings have been enjoyed there.
Since its beginning, the club has partici-
pated with much pleasure in the "Fine Arts
120
and Flowers Show" at the Virginia Museum
of Fine Arts in Richmond. Garden books were
contributed to the library and many articles
to The GCV JOURNAL.
Pegboard trays were sold by the Ways and
Means Committee. A luncheon, with a
speaker, helped finance future obligations.
After visiting the outstanding "Tablescapes"
in Richmond, members who were convinced
"we could do that," did. What a success!
One member, Mrs. W. J. Parker (Anne),
was instrumental in presenting ecology classes
in the schools and day camp programs for the
students. On the lighter side, a favorite pro-
gram was given by Mrs. B. A. Williams
(Corrine), slides chairman. During the year,
very informal pictures were taken at member-
ship meetings - some were occasionally caught
doing some rather strange things! Fun!
There were many highlights in this de-
cade. One was joining The Nansemond River
Club in opening homes in Smithfield for His-
toric Garden Week. It was the most success-
ful tour either club had enjoyed. Members'
close association with the Suffolk ladies had
been rewarding.
In 1988 the club's beloved member, Mrs.
S. W. Rawls, Jr. (Ann Peace), received the
deLacy Gray Medal. A very intimate presen-
tation ceremony with her three daughters
seemed most appropriate. In 1989 Mrs. C. F.
Urquhart received the Tri-Color Award in
The GCV Daffodil Show, and Mrs. A. W.
Brantley received the Tri-Color Award in The
GCV Rose Show.
The Franklin Garden Club has been for-
tunate to have had many ribbon winners since
19 55 when it was invited to join The Garden
Club of Virginia.
Club presidents during the 1980s were
Mrs.John D. Munford, Mrs. S. W. Rawls,Jr.,
Mrs. Leland E. Beale, Jr., Mrs. Harvey K.
Thompson, and Mrs. E. B. Gatten, Jr.
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.
 The Member Clubs
Mrs. E.B. Gatten, Jr., Mrs. William C. Jones, Mrs. William L. Gilliam, this course as a result.
Jr. and Mrs. E.R.M. Coker at the presentation of the Rochelle House
Garden.
While the community is small, the enthu-
siastic support and generous contributions
made the meeting most rewarding. Some of
the meeting's highlights were: Tour of Union
Camp Corporation for the Board of Direc-
tors, "A Bar Be Que Hoe Down," tour of
Bacon's Castle, luncheon In Historic
Smithfield, entertainment by the Common-
wealth Chorus, and an informative program
on environmental protection by Union Camp
Corporation. It is interesting that in 1971, in
Franklin, The Garden Club ofVirginia voted
to purchase the Kent-Valentine House.
Twenty years later (1991), in Franklin, at this
meeting the members voted to begin plans for
renovation of the Kent-Valentine House. Two
landmark decisions in our midst.
In 1991 the restoration of the garden of
the Rochelle House in Courtland was com-
pleted. Mrs. William Gilliam (Anne), as a
member of The GCV Restoration Commit-
tee, joined us for a formal Presentation Tea.
Planting at the Y.M.C.A. was completed, and
members began looking for other beautifica-
tion projects.
In 1992, Franklin's Union Camp Corpo-
ration was presented the prestigious Dugdale
Award. In 1993 the deLacy Gray Medal was
presented to Mrs. Charles F. Urquhart, Jr.
(Dot). How proud the club was!
121
Programs on the envi-
ronment, ecology, conser-
vation, native plants, and
floral design continue to
be the club's interest.
Among the most interest-
ing were: a presentation on
reconstruction plans of the
Norfolk Botanical Gar-
dens, Franklin's Union
Camp new "de-inking"
plant (the only one of its
kind), and the Master Gar-
dener program. The
members were enthusias-
tic, and many completed
The club purchased
ten videos on ecology and
the environment. These
were presented to the schools and are currently
available to all civic organizations from our
"new" Library. After twice planting the "old"
Library, the club, again, took on the monu-
mental task of landscaping the new Franklin
Library.
In recent years the club has enjoyed hold-
ing a joint meeting with The Nansemond
River Garden Club and The Elizabeth River
Garden Club to hear The Garden Club of
Vrrginia Presidents.
Decorating the nursing home and the re-
tirement center continue to be on-going
projects. In April 1995, The Franklin Gar-
den Club sponsored the Wildlife Center of
Vrrginia's visit to all schools in the city and
county. Children from preschool to seniors
in high school were enthralled.
The annual luncheon in May took on a
"golden glow." The Franklin Garden Club
was fifty years old and celebrated with cake,
candles, and presents at a gala birthday party.
But more exciting was the introduction of sev-
enteen young, eager and talented women from
our Auxiliary Club.
"We pass this way but once. Let us beau-
tify the path as we go, that the world may see
which way we went."
Club presidents during the early 1990s
were Mrs. E. R. M. Coker, Mrs. Franklin S.
 Follow the Green Arrow
Edmonds, and Mrs.Jam es P. Councill III.
GABRIELLA GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
Gabriella Garden Club started the 1970s
with an official presentation to the Danville
Public Library of The Garden Club of
Virginia's fifty-year history Follow the Green
Arrow.
The members were concerned about the
outside of the library, a modern downtown
building. With a plan by Kenneth Higgins,
Richmond landscape architect, and $5,000
from the City Beautification Committee, the
club undertook the landscaping of the site.
Dues were raised to $20, and the club made a
variety of interesting donations - one being
$25 to Jamie Gosney for the cherry tree plant-
ing project which made him an Eagle Scout.
Mrs.James W. Ray, Jr. Oo)was appointed
The GCV Parliamentarian and Editor of the
Register (1970-1972) and elected Second Vice
President of The GCV (1972-1973). Mrs.
Hosea E. Wilson (Betty) was Chairman of The
GCV Annual and Board of Governors' Meet-
ings Committee (1974-1976). Mrs. William
H. Parker, Jr. (Peyton) was elected a Direc-
tor-at-Large of The GCV (1978-1981).
Members stayed busy with Historic Gar-
den Week Tours, annual horse shows, tree
plantings, and sponsoring The GCV Board
of Governors' Meeting the year of the Na-
tional Bicentennial. They also enjoyed excur-
sions to Old Salem, Halifax, and to the Kent-
Valentine House for lunch.
In 1978 the club rejoiced when The GCV
Award for Meritorious Achievement in Con-
servation was given to Dan River, Inc. Mem-
bers were proud when the horticulture dis-
play (a collection of rooted material which
could be found at Point of Honor) was as-
sembled by Newton H. Ray, president of the
Men's Horticultural Society in Danville, and
husband of Martha Ray, president of the
Gabriella Garden Club, who carried the dis-
play to the meeting.
Club presidents during the 1970s were
122
Mrs. Frank G. Turner, Mrs. Hosea E. Wil-
son, Jr., Mrs. James F. Ingram, Mrs. Landon
R. Wyatt, Jr., Mrs. Newton H. Ray, and Mrs.
Henry L. Roediger, Jr.
1980-1990
Gabriella Garden Club's entry into the
1980s was highlighted when The GCV Hor-
ticulture Award went jointly to Mr. and Mrs.
Ray after they had simultaneously served with
distinction as presidents of the Men's Horti-
culture Society in Danville and the Gabriella
Garden Club. The club was proud when Mrs.
Parker was elected Second Vice President of
The GCV (1982-1984) and appointed Chair-
man of the Common Wealth Award Commit-
tee (1984-1986).
The club celebrated its 50th anniversary
in 1983. Mrs. Henry Roediger, Sr. (Ethel), a
charter member, was guest of honor at the
annual meeting, and all charter members were
honored with a $500 donation to the YWCA
pool-building fund. It was considered appro-
priate to raise the annual dues to $50. The
club became incorporated the very next year.
There were no changes necessary in the by-
laws or constitution since they had never le-
gally existed at all. Members had interesting
visits to the Duke Gardens in Durham,
Stoneleigh in Martinsville, the Philadelphia
Flower Show, and Fine Arts and Flowers at
the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Rich-
mond.
Mrs. Edward M. Williams Oudy) and Mrs.
B. Carrington Bidgood (Happy) made needle-
point pillows for the Kent-Valentine House,
and Mrs. James C. Spangler Oane), a
decoupage wastebasket. Mrs. Thomas W.
Leggett, Jr. (Betty) received the first copy of
The GCV's Members' Handbook as she was
the typist. GGC was awarded the Mrs.
Littleton H. Mears Trophy for Best Inter-Club
arrangement at The GCV Daffodil Show in
1987.
The Gabriella Garden Club sponsored
The GCV Daffodil Shows in 1988 and 1989.
At the 1984 Annual Meeting, octogenarian
Mrs. J. Nelson Benton (Margaret) made the
150 ultra-suede flower corsages for The GCV
 The Member Clubs
Mrs. Paul W. Mengel and Mrs. Glenn B. Updike
at the 1988 Daffodil Show.
ladies attending the luncheon given by GGC
at the home of Mrs. Frank G. Turner (Marcia).
Mrs. Paul W. Mengel (Lois) was elected a Di-
rector-at-Large of The Garden Club of Vir-
ginia (1989-1992).
The club remained committed to Historic
Garden Week tours, the library landscape, the
Council of Garden Clubs, the Gabriella's
award-winning glass recycling project (which
raised money for community trees) and
dreamed of a five-day Nature Camp for local
first and second graders.
Club presidents during the 1980s were
Mrs. Henry L. Roediger, Jr., Mrs. William E.
Michaels, Mrs. Paul W. Mengel, Mrs. George
W. Davis, Jr., Mrs.]. Martin Scott, Jr., and
Mrs. HarryW. Pritchett,Jr.
1990-1995
The Gabriella Garden Club selected a
September Sunday afternoon in 1990 to fi-
nally open the hospital roof garden for pa-
tients, visitors, and staff and celebrate with a
"christening party" in honor of the 100-year-
old hospital auxiliary (the Ladies Benevolent
Society) whose gift of $15,000 had nurtured
123
the garden into existence.
Further community support for the roof
garden came through a huge yard sale and
subsequent annual poinsettia sales. The up-
keep was guaranteed by 100 percent of the
membership divided into monthly teams. In
1994 this project was awarded The GCV
Common Wealth Award.
Teamwork became the key to broader
participation in The GCV's three annual
Flower Shows. A talented arranger no longer
had to be solely responsible for an Inter-Club
arrangement from start to finish.
The first five-day Nature Camp for 25
local children became a delightful reality.
There continued to be interest and support
for long-time projects including Historic Gar-
den Week, the recycling project, the Council
of Garden Clubs agenda, and sending camp-
ers to Nature Camp at Vesuvius.
The hospital roof garden focused the
club's attention on therapeutic horticulture.
It was natural to present a 1993 community
workshop on the use of horticulture therapy
to improve life quality for individuals with dis-
abilities. The $500 realized from registration
fees was divided between the Virginia Gar-
dener Horticulture Project at VPI and the
Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute
(where these funds would be seed money) for
a horticulture therapy program.
Lois Mengel was appointed The GCV
Chairman of Admissions (1992-1994) and The
GCV Chairman of the Restoration Commit-
tee (1994-1996).
What a special pleasure was found in
Gabriella's 1995 roster: seven third-generation
members of The Garden Club of Virginia.
Club presidents during the early 1990s
were Mrs. Harry W. Pritchett, Jr., Mrs. Tho-
mas H. Faucett, and Miss Mary Jo Davis.
THE GARDEN STUDY CLUB
1970-1980
The members of The Garden Study Club
accomplished much in the decade 1970-1980.
They did all the well-ordered things that a
 Follow the Green Arrow
garden club ought to do and the special things
that added interest and meaning to the club's
existence.
Participating in Historic Garden Week
tours each year was successful. Also success-
ful were the Sheila Macqueen lecture and
demonstration in 1972.
Civic beautification projects were: cre-
ating a mini-park in the downtown business
district; financing the planting in the North
Court of Memorial Hospital; planting
liriope in the re-designed landscaping of the
Henry County courthouse; contributing to
the establishment of a memorial mini-park
in a residential area, and contributing to the
landscaping of the Chamber of Commerce
Civic Clubs' signs. These projects were fi-
nanced with proceeds from Estate Auction
Sales in May 1970 and a bridge luncheon in
1971. Several young people were sent to
Nature Camp, and the club gave books to
the Public Library.
Mrs. John W. Clark (Sally) served as
Chairman of The Garden Club of Virginia
Horticulture Committee (1970-1972).
In 1977, the Garden Study Club and
The Martinsville Garden Club jointly pre-
sented the Edith Hardison Walker Per-
petual Award to The Garden Club of Vir-
ginia, to be presented annually at The GCV
Daffodil Show. The Garden Study Club
was proud of Mrs. F. Paul Turner, Jr,'s
(Katherine) many achievements in The
GCV Daffodil Shows. She won the Mem-
ber Clubs' Cup for the Best Bloom in The
GCV Show in Warsaw in 1975; the Presi-
dents of Member Clubs' Cup in Roanoke in
1977; the first Edith Hardison Walker Per-
petual Award in Roanoke in 1978; the
Eleanor Truax Harris Challenge Cup in
1980.
The club's greatest achievement was en-
tertaining The GCV Board of Governors in
1978. It was a beautiful meeting, lots of fun,
and hard work.
Club presidents during the 1970s were
Mrs. J. Vance Bonds, Mrs. Paul A. Roy, Mrs.
Eldon Holsinger, Mrs. Edwin G. Penn, Jr.,
Mrs. John Kirk Adams, and Mrs. Donald R.
Holsinger.
124
1980-1990
The Garden Study Club continued to
share Historic Garden Week tours, flower
shows, and yearly joint meetings with The
Martinsville Garden Club.
Club members held positions in The Gar-
den Club of Virginia. Mrs. Edward H. Ould
(Betty Barr) was Chairman of The GCV Slides
Committee (1980-1982) and Recording Sec-
retary (1982-1984). She was awarded both the
Louise Morris Goodwin Bowl and the
Jennette H. Rustin Trophy atThe GCVDaf-
fodil Show in 1983.
Just for the fun of it, the members took a
bus trip to Prestwould in 1981 where they had
a picnic lunch on the grounds. A happy expe-
rience! The club celebrated its 40th Anniver-
sary with a festive luncheon at Stoneleigh,
home of former Governor and Mrs. Thomas
B. Stanley. At that time there were twelve
active charter members of the original group
of founders in 1946.
To spur interest in arranging flowers, the
membership was divided into two teams.
Records were kept, and a summer picnic was
sponsored by the losing team, "The Dandeli-
ons." The winning team members were "The
Roses."
Mrs. Charles P. Smith III (Betsy) was ap-
pointed Chairman of The GCV Annual and
Board of Governors' Meetings Committee
1982-1984.
At The Garden Club of Virginia Annual
Meeting in May 1987, Mrs. Clark, one of the
charter members, was honored when she was
presented the deLacy Gray Medal for Con-
servation.
In 1987, the club chose the landscaping
of the Virginia Museum of Natural History
as an on-going project. To help finance its
work at the museum, the club applied for The
GCV Common Wealth Award in 1988 and
was given a second place award. Two
"Tablescapes" exhibits were held to raise funds
for the project.
Club presidents during the 1980s were
Mrs. Charles P. Smith III, Mrs. George E.
Morris, Jr., Mrs. Gorman T. White, Mrs.
Wilbur S. Doyle, and Mrs. Albert G. Byrum.
 The Member Clubs
1990-1995
In March 1990, the club amended its con-
stitution and bylaws to incorporate the auxil-
iary 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 land-
scaping of the Adult Day Care Center. An-
other 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 sus-
taining 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 Octo-
ber 1994. The Ways and Means Committee
planned various things to finance the meet-
ing. One was a beautiful Christmas tour of
homes, with a candlelight tea, and a sale of
greens and Christmas decorations in Decem-
ber 1990. In 1991, 1992, and 1993, the com-
mittee 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.
THE GARDEN CLUB
OF GLOUCESTER
1970-1980
The Garden Club of Gloucester's biggest
125
event of the decade was a public auction held
in order to provide money to build a beautiful
garden with walks, fountains, and many plants
at a local nursing home.
The club sold anything and everything:
items gleaned from attics, closets, and cellars,
all tax-deductible. A delicious supper, cham-
pagne, and beer were served. The evening
was a financial and social success. The annual
daffodil show, a large, beautiful, and great pro-
duction for such a small club, continued to be
held. The well-known show drew competi-
tion and visitors from all over the state.
The members were busy trying to beau-
tify the environment. Participation in a vig-
orous drive helped to rid Gloucester of more
than 2,000 abandoned junk cars. Daffodil
bulbs were made available to Indian women
to beautify the approach to the Mattaponi
Reservation. The club joined the Rotary Club
and the Chamber of Commerce in a highway
beautification project that resulted in the
planting of 300 trees, plus 70 crape myrtles
and 1,700 daffodil bulbs.
A plant sale was held each year in Octo-
ber to send two children to Nature Camp.
And, of course, there was always Historic Gar-
den Week. Homes and gardens in Gloucester
and Mathews counties were opened for two
days each year.
Presidents of The Garden Club of
Gloucester during the 1970s were Mrs. Will-
iam H. Tunner, Mrs. Thomas Roy Jones, Mrs.
H. Blair Farinholt, Mrs. Samuel A. Martin,
Mrs.John L. Finney, and Mrs. Ben B. Pickett.
1980-1990
The club started the decade with a gar-
den 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 preserva-
tion of Rosewell and sent money realized from
 Follow the Green Arrow
the plant sale. The club joined a joint com-
munity effort to establish a permanent recy-
cling 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 sta-
tus. Planting was done at the library, the nurs-
ing home, on the hill at Long Bridge Ordi-
nary, 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 Mar-
tin, (Teen), the only American Trustee of the
Tradescant Trust, was hostess to the Worship-
ful 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 vis-
iting members in her home and introduced
them at the official opening of the daffodil
show.
Mrs. Edward H. Ould III and Mrs. William
Ingles, October 1988.
In 1988, The GCG entertained the Board
of Governors ofThe Garden Club of Virginia.
In anticipation, the active membership ofThe
GCG was increased from 35 to 40. The club
was delighted that the Board of Governors was
126
coming, but in a rural community with no
charming inn, where would they stay, where
would they meet, where would a banquet be
held? After investigating several possibilities,
it was decided that the Duke of York Motel in
Yorktown would be the headquarters.
The first evening everyone gathered at
Purton for supper. The meeting the next
morning was held in the Old Courthouse in
Gloucester and lunch followed in five mem-
bers' homes. Arrangements were made to have
the meeting the next day at the Virginia Insti-
tute of Marine Science at Gloucester Point to
be followed by an outdoor lunch. A highlight
of the evening at the banquet at the Yorktown
Victory Center was the Fife and Drum Corps
piping the members into the building for cock-
tails and later upstairs for dinner.
Members have continued to plant and
grow, to arrange, to write, and to enjoy being
a part of The Garden Club of Virginia.
Club presidents during the years 1980-
1989 were Mrs. David L. Peebles, Mrs. Hugh
C. Dischinger, Mrs. William Ingles, Mrs. H .
C . K. Spotswood, and Mrs. Carroll W .
Bartlett.
1990-1995
The 1990s brought an end to some of the
club's long-standing traditions.
The club was informed by The
Gloucester Health Department that it would
be unable to sell the homemade soup, fried
chicken, and sandwiches during the plant sale.
Since this cut back on profits, another way was
needed to raise the money to send children to
Nature Camp. Members picked up on the
Christmas house tour idea that was used in
the 1980s. Another change was to open only
one day for Historic Garden Week instead of
the usual two days. When the County Fire
Marshall decreed that no fresh greens could
be used as Christmas decorations at the nurs-
ing home, the members reluctantly switched
to plastic.
The daffodil show remains an unchang-
ing tradition with an admirable number of
blooms and arrangements more beautiful each
year.
 The Member Clubs
Mrs. William B. Kemp, Jr., Mrs. Edward
H. Ould III, Mrs. S. Lyons Robinson, and Mrs.
Henry Lane Wilson served as club presidents
during the early 1990s.
HAMPTON ROADS GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
In the Hampton Roads Garden Club, the
highlights of the decade centered around two
fund-raising projects, a memorable Historic
Garden Week experience, and planning for
The Garden Club of Virginia Annual Meet-
ing in 1981. The club began the sale of poin-
settias each December to support the garden
it had established at the Peninsula Council of
Garden Club Headquarters. To help with
expenses for the The GCV Annual Meeting,
Cooking Schools with Annemarie were spon-
sored for two successive years. It was great
fun, lots of work, and financially rewarding.
From Annemarie we learned two little "by-
words" to cover any cooking mishaps or ex-
travagances, and which we laughingly carried
over into other areas of our lives! For criti-
cism of a mishap we say, "That's the way I like
it!" For the extravagance, the reply is "I'm
WORTH it!"
Mrs. R. Vollie Richardson (Barbara) was
appointed The Garden Club of Virginia
Chairman of the Slides Committee (1976-
1978).
Historic Garden Week 1978 was heralded
as "A Day By the Bay," with attractive beach
houses on the tour, lunch planned by the
Woman's Club, and the City of Hampton all
"fixed up" and enthusiastic about reviving the
area and showing it off. The day before the
tour was beautiful and balmy. The Bay glis-
tened in the sunlight, and the flower arrangers
were excited over the nautical and beach
themes - a switch from the 18th century, to say
the least. During the night, a northeaster blew
up! It was the very worst nightmare scenario
imaginable. The tide rose so quickly and so
high in the morning that one of the members,
who had gone to Buckroe early to check her
arrangement, lost her car. It was inundated in
127
a matter of minutes. Streets were flooded, res-
cue 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 cook-
ing 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.
An Ode to Garden Week on the Peninsula
"A Day By the Bay"
T'was the day before tour, and down all
the beach
All creatures were hustling, the deadline
to reach.
The flowers were gathered, from near and
from far;
The houses were sparkling, the doors all
ajar.
Each member to her post, the arrange-
ments to fix;
The signs are all up, chicken - ready to
mlX.
The hostesses are briefed, instructed,
'bout dress;
No smoking, no eating, don't make any
mess.
Later - tired and weary, all tucked in their
beds
While visions of 'mechanics' danced in
their heads.
When what to their listening ear, should
resound
But hurricane winds, and waves on the
pound.
Up from their beds, they sprang like a
 Follow the Green Arrow
flash;
Away to Buckroe, they drove in a dash.
The spray, how it spattered, each newly
washed pane;
The wind steady howling, driving the rain.
The waves when they crested, rose high
and in tandem,
Then crashed to the earth, with reckless
abandon.
To the top of the steps, over the top of
the street,
The tide it did rise, meeting ocean with
creek.
Now Ranny and Nancy, were watching it
all,
And Patty was bug-eyed, climbing the
wall.
The cars got all stuck, in the fast-forming
mud;
The water roared over, way up past the
hub.
Jean was a-crying, on her dear mother's
breast;
The Woman's Club ladies, sat in stunned
rest.
The chicken was cooked, the eggs on to
boil;
What to do with 300 lunches, in this tur-
moil.
And I in my wagon, loaded up with ex-
hibit,
Rode down to the beach, just to get with
it.
I had my wool cap, pulled close o'er my
ears
And what I beheld, I'll remember for
years.
Sirens were screeching, rescue squads-in
action,
Wrecking trucks pulling, couldn't get any
traction.
lst Street inundated, by 2 feet of water;
Evacuation of people, to some new quar-
ter.
There was wringing of hand, and an oc-
casional tear;
No money for Garden Week, at all this
year.
The flowers have wilted, the chicken is
froze;
The home owners busy, cleaning house
with a hose.
There is a sequel, to this tale of woe;
Just don't ask me to exhibit, ever no mo'.
Club presidents during the 1970s were
Mrs.John Q. Hatten, Mrs. Herbert V. Kelly,
Mrs. H. Cornelius Shawen, Mrs. R. Vollie
Richardson, Mrs. David N. Montague, and
Mrs. Russell Buxton.
1980-1990
In 1981, the Hampton Roads Garden
Club had the privilege of sponsoring the An-
nual 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 mov-
ing 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 dedi-
cated 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 fur-
ther its goal of civic beautification.
From the early 1980s, the club concen-
trated quite heavily on matters of conserva-
tion. Mrs. Edgar B. Wertheimer Jr. (Alice)
served as conservation chairman. She raised

128
 The Member Clubs
members' "consciousness level" and prodded
and encouraged them to call and write to our
legislative representatives on every subject in-
volving air, water, earth, wetlands, "the Bay",
etc. Mrs. Wertheimer was awarded the deLacy
Gray Medal in 1985 for her remarkable ser-
vice in the dissemination of knowledge of en-
vironmental problems to her club and to her
community.
Club presidents during the 1980s were
Mrs. George S. Grier III, Mrs. E. RalphJames,
Mrs. William 0. Harris, Jr., Mrs. John A.
Horgan, and Mrs. Ernest P. Buxton.
1990-1995
In 1991, 1992, and 1993, under Patty
Goodson's chairmanship, the members volun-
teered in the "Kiddie Litter" Program in the
public schools.
The club sponsored trips to the Philadel-
phia Flower Show, including stops at
Longwood Gardens, Winterthur, and the
Philadelphia Museum.
Fund-raising projects, Historic Garden
Week, decorating the chapel at Kecoughtan
Veteran's Hospital at Christmas, and conser-
vation efforts in the community involved ev-
ery member. The Hampton Roads Garden
Club had an enthusiastic, creative group of
members to uphold the reputation of those
who came before us.
The HRGC is looking forward to spon-
soring The GCV Rose Show in 1996 and
1997.
Club presidents during the early 1990s
were Mrs. Rene D. Koun, Mrs. James L.
Eason, and Mrs.John B. Morgan II.
HARBORFRONT GARDEN CLUB
1990-1995
Founded in 1953 by The Garden Club of
Norfolk for daughters and daughters-in-law
of members, the Junior Garden Club of Nor-
folk was issued an invitation to join The Gar-
den Club of Virginia in May 1992. All mem-
bers anticipated that the upcoming year would
129
be filled with new challenges as well as reward-
ing possibilities. Knowing that the club was
becoming part of such a productive and im-
pressive group as The Garden Club of Vir-
ginia, members decided to meet the challenge
head on. The first step was a name change to
the Harborfront Garden Club.
The primary focus of the club in recent
years has been the raising of funds to encour-
age horticulture through community land-
scaping projects. Existing work in progress
for the Junior Club included the rather for-
midable task of landscaping the courtyard at
the D'Art Center in downtown Norfolk. It
has since been successfully completed and con-
tinues to be maintained by the club. This ef-
fort, begun in 1991, was funded by revenues
from the annual Christmas Poinsettia Sale and
Spring Flower Sale. The revenues also supple-
mented the Brownie Scout efforts to establish
a Yellow Fever Park. In the next year the Club
responded to a request by the Virginia Zoo-
logical Society to establish a Butterfly Gar-
den at the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk. The gar-
den is maintained by the Zoo and has been
one of its most successful attractions.
Club president, Mrs. Townsend Brown,
Jr. (Candy), attended the club's first Board of
Governors' Meeting of The Garden Club of
Virginia in October, 1992. The GCV Presi-
dent, Mrs. W Tayloe Murphy,] r. (Helen) and
all other Board Members present extended the
warmest of welcomes. Candy returned with
an energetic report, complete with accolades
for everyone with whom she had come in con-
tact. Her 'word' for the meeting was 'over-
whelming,' in terms of energy, enthusiasm,
organization, and results emanating from this
group of women. Candy issued a challenge
to the members of the Harborfront Garden
Club to rise to the expectations of The GCV
The HGC responded right away with a
$20,000 four-year pledge toward renovations
of the Norfolk Botanical Garden, the greatest
commitment in the club's history. In addition,
funds were allotted for the planting of trees at
Harbor Park, the city's new baseball stadium,
and for the annual planting and maintenance
of the D' Art Center courtyard.
New opportunities in conjunction with
 Follow the Greerz Arrow
The Garden Club ofVirginia included entries
into the three GCVFlower Shows, participa-
tion in The GCVJudging School, attendance
at The GCV Conservation Forum, and rep-
resentation at The GCV Board of Governors'
and Annual Meetings. Mrs. Charles E. Snyder
(Lee) thrilled us all when she won the Blue
Ribbon and Best in Show Award at The GCV
Rose Show in 1993. The club continued its
good efforts when it won the Blue Ribbon and
Tri-Blue for the Inter-Club at the Rose Show
in 1994 with an arrangement done by Mrs.
Claude M. Bain (Elizabeth) and Mrs. Will-
iam E. Ingram (Robin).
Much of the club's recent efforts have
been directed toward restructuring the orga-
nization to accommodate the added responsi-
bility of membership in The GCV. In par-
ticular, the club's participation in Historic
Garden Week grew from a minor assistant role
to one of full partnership with The Garden
Club of Norfolk. Club presidents during this
reorganization have been Mrs. Townsend
Brown, Jr., Mrs. Charles E. Land and Mrs.
Frank W. Gwathmey.
Now, as members of Harborfront Gar-
den Club have soared into the 1990s with so
many challenges and new affiliations, mem-
bers anticipate a course charted with new
friends, opportunities, successes, and stabil-
ity. The club will be put to the test officially
in the year 2000 as sponsors of The GCV
Annual Meeting. Members look forward to
providing warm hospitality and a friendly, fes-
tive atmosphere for their first opportunity to
entertain The GCV.
HILLSIDE GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
The highlight in 1970 for Hillside Gar-
den Club was the beginning of the greenhouse
at the Dabney-Scott-Adams House on Cabell
Street. In 1972 a herb garden was added with
23 varieties of herbs planted in a rectangular
space between the kitchen and servant quar-
ters. The club voted in 1973 to continue the
maintenance of the greenhouse and to add the
130
care of the grounds. This project was main-
tained 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 Rob-
ert D. Morrison Interchange at Rivermont
Bridge, and to landscape the traffic island at
the intersection of Langhorne Road and Me-
morial 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-Val-
entine 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 fin-
est 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 Vir-
ginia. 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 Chris-
tian, Mrs. Gordon P. Howell, Mrs. William
McK. Massie, Mrs. Lea Booth, and Mrs. Ed-
ward C. Suhling.
1980-1990
During the 1980s, the Hillside Garden
Club accomplished some of its most impor-
tant endeavors. The Lynchburg Garden Club
and HGC assumed the responsibility of help-
ing the city maintain the grounds at Point of
Honor. Later that year, the club began a gar-
 The Member Clubs
den, attractive to birds and visible to patients
in the Health Center, at Westminster-Can-
terbury. The club, with other community or-
ganizations, restored the garden at the home
of Anne Spencer, internationally known
Harlem Renaissance poet and the only Vir-
ginian whose poems are included in the first
edition of The Norton Anthology ofModern and
British Poetry. Besides hours of planning and
toiling at this Virginia Historic Landmark,
HGC contributed over $8,000 to the $20,000
cost of the renovation. The club received the
Common Wealth Award for the completion
of the garden in 1985.
Other highlights in this decade included
Mrs. Robert L. Galloway (Liz) winning The
GCVHoricultureAwardofMeritin 1985. In
1987, the club established its Endowment
Fund, and in 1989, Mrs. Kenneth S. White
(Jane) received the Massie Medal" ....as a plan-
ner, creator, restorer, and preserver of gar-
dens." The club's involvement in Operation
Plant-A-Tree and Westminster-Canterbury
were important projects. Each year a student
was selected for the Frances Dirom Scholar-
ship to Nature Camp.
The club sponsored The GCV Rose
Shows in 1987 and 1988. Peter Hatch, cura-
tor of the gardens at Monticello, was the guest
speaker. A wine and cheese party was given
for the exhibitors, and a cocktail party for the
judges was held at the home of Mrs. George
B. Craddock (Mary Spencer).
Hillside Garden Club was awarded the
Mrs. Littleton H. Mears Trophy for the best
Inter-Club arrangement at The GCV Annual
Daffodil Show in 1988 and 1989.
Mrs. RobertH. Bowden,Jr.,Mrs. George
M. Lupton, Jr., Mrs. Frank D. Rock, Mrs.
Charles H. Sackett, and Mrs. William M.
Roberts, Jr. served as club presidents during
the 1980s.
1990-1995
HGC members maintained an active in-
terest 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
upkeep of the garden.
Hillside Garden Club won the Elizabeth
Gwathmey Jeffress Trophy for the best Inter-
Club arrangement at The GCV Annual Rose
Show in 1991.
In the spring of 1992, it was proposed that
the club undertake the landscaping of Carey
House, a temporary home for abused moth-
ers and their children. A landscape design was
created by a club member and in several
months $4,000 was raised in addition to gifts
of shrubs, trees, flowers, bulbs, and labor by
members and community well-wishers. One
of the most heartwarming contributions came
from husbands of many of the younger mem-
bers. They worked throughout the summer
to build playground equipment, fences, and a
garbage-area screen. The entire planting was
accomplished in one all-day work session in
the fall of 1992. Thirty-five members, their
families and friends, accomplished this miracle
on a budget of $3,000. The estimated value
of the finished project was $15,000.
The club played an important part in a
civic project to renew and repair the Old City
Cemetery. Because of the enormous destruc-
tion from the storm of]une 4, 1993, the club
voted to work with the civic group formed by
the Southern Memorial Association and to
appropriate $3,000 during the next year to-
ward the replanting of 100 trees. The asso-
ciation came up with the idea of replanting
the Confederate section of the cemetery with
native 19th century plants. The suggestion
was to turn the approximately 25 acres into
an arboretum of 19th century trees and shrubs.
A club member, Mrs.John H. Mullin III (Su-
san), offered to donate whatever trees were on
the Arboretum wish list that she grew on her
Ridgeway Farms, Inc. nursery. This gener-
ous gift included 28 out of the list of 100 trees.
HGC undertook many cooperative ven-
tures with the Lynchburg Garden Club in the
1990s. Besides having yearly joint meetings,
the clubs took bus trips together to the Lewis
Ginter Botanical Garden, Vrrginia House, and
Agecroft. The two clubs co-sponsored His-
toric Garden Week in Lynchburg and worked
together to decorate Point of Honor for
Christmas and for Historic Garden Week.
 Follow the Green Arrow
The clubs were pleased to have The GCV
Presidents, Mrs. Henley L. Guild (Virginia)
(1990-1992) and Mrs. W Tayloe Murphy, Jr.
(Helen) (1992-1994), as guest speakers at joint
meetings in the 1990s.
Club presidents during the early 1990s
were Mrs. Theodore J. Craddock, Mrs. C. Tad
Holt, and Mrs. McMillan Kendall.
THE HUNTING CREEK
GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
In 1970 Mrs. Douglas G. Lindsey (Sara
Ann) wrote in her president's report of the
enormous pride she felt in being a member of
The Garden Club of Virginia.
Serving as club president from 1971 to
1973, Mrs. Merrill Beede (Kay) observed that
taking ebullient young provisionals into the
club had not resulted in a threatened stam-
pede of older members to the sustaining ranks.
The opposite happened, and the new young
members invigorated the entire club. The
generation gap had been closed.
Almost all thoughts and energies were
directed toward planning, down to the small-
est detail, the Annual Meeting of The Gar-
den Club ofVirginia sponsored by The Hunt-
ing Creek Garden Club in May 1972. Mrs.
Harry Harris (Lee) and Mrs. Sydney Buford
III (Lucy) gave beautiful cocktail parties in
their homes. Mrs. Robert E. Latham (Ella)
entertained The GCV Directors at a dinner.
The walk into that dinner was along a path-
way lined with a hundred candle-lit paper lan-
terns - the paper bags laboriously filled with
sand by Mr. Latham. Yes, husbands were
pressed into service. The meeting featured a
fascinating tour of the Woodrow Wilson
House in Washington and later that night a
feast in 18th-century splendor at Gadsby Tav-
ern, complete with HCGC hostesses in colo-
nial costumes borrowed from the Alexandria
Little Theater. The next night there was an
incredible cloudburst just as the ladies in their
best silks and satins were boarding buses for
the banquet at the Anny-Navy Country Club.
132
Remember, we wore long dresses then! The
DixielandJazz Band brought us saints march-
ing in and kept every toe tapping. In the
thank-you notes that followed, delegate after
delegate reported that she had removed the
handles from the gorgeous hand-quilted tote
bags in order to convert them to sofa pillows.
In the end we were poorer in resources but
richer in bonds of friendship and appreciation
of the work of The Garden Club of Virginia.
Under the direction of Mrs. Harrison
Mann (Betty), the members conducted a very
successful Anti-Litter Poster Contest in all the
elementary schools in Alexandria. The post-
ers were highly imaginative and colorfully ex-
ecuted. Each participating school was awarded
a dogwood tree for its grounds along with in-
structions on its nurture. HCGC was so
pleased for The Garden Club of VITginia to
have such a gracious house for its headquar-
ters that it contributed to the Kent-Valentine
House.
Mrs. Latham and Mrs. Mann were both
elected to serve as Directors-at-Large, Mrs.
Latham for 1970-1973 and Mrs. Mann for
1972-1975.
The years 1973-1975 under Mrs. Tho-
mas Anglin (Neosha) showed an expanding
horticultural expertise. The club kicked off a
plan for the Athenaeum Garden by offering a
$1,250 prize for a sculpture to be installed in
the garden. The sculpture, "Olympic Cham-
pion" by Carl Mose, was unveiled at a festive
springtime cocktail party for members, hus-
bands, friends, and staff of the Northern Vll'-
ginia Fine Arts Association.
Under the guidance of Mrs. Charles M.
Noone (Nancy) 1975-1977, the club's Bicen-
tennial Project, the Athenaeum Garden, was
completed with the installation of a handsome
wrought-iron gate so that passers-by could
glimpse the results of the club's efforts. Meade
Palmer, landscape architect, was engaged for
advice on the restoration of the plantings at
Lee's boyhood home, the club's next project.
A very talented new member, Mrs. Henley L.
Guild (Virginia), joined the club. In these
years began the saga of the needlepoint square
for the rug at the Kent-Valentine House. The
logo of the Bridge over Hunting Creek, ~x-
 The Member Clubs
quisitely worked by Mrs. Latham, was en-
trusted to the U. S. Mail to deliver to Rich-
mond and never ever seen again. A second
square was frantically prepared in order to
meet the deadline and hand-earned to Rich-
mond and put in place in the gorgeous rug.
In 1977 when Mrs. S. Cooper Dawson,
Jr. (Franny) took office, the Richmond shuttle
ran with frequency. Mrs. Guild was appointed
Chairman of The GCV Flower Shows Com-
mittee; Mrs. Mann was The GCV Parliamen-
tarian and Editor of the Register (197 6-1978)
and Chairman of the Massie Medal Commit-
tee (1978-1980).
When Mrs. A. Slater Lamond (Jack), the
only charter member still on the active list,
assumed her duties as club president, she
rounded out the decade of the seventies as
head of a smoothly running club that fulfilled
its obligations to The GCV with grace and
flair. The Historic Garden Week tours at-
tracted thousands of visitors. The annual
Christmas Workshop refilled the club's cof-
fers and enabled it to take on major civic beau-
tification efforts.
The club presidents during this decade
were Mrs. Douglas G. Lindsey, Mrs. Merrill
Beede, Mrs. Thomas Angling, Mrs. Charles
M. Noone, Mrs. S. Cooper Dawson, Jr., and
Mrs. A. Slater Lamond.
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 envi-
133
ronmentalists.
The historic home of Mr. and Mrs. Beede
was made even more historic when they spon-
sored 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 en-
vironment. They worked for billboard legis-
lation, 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-spon-
sored by The Garden Club of Alexandria.
Mrs.Joel Crenshaw (Pat) was The GCV Daf-
fodil Test Chairman (1982-1991) and received
The GCV Horticulture Award of Merit. Mrs.
Lindsay was GCV Lily Test Chairman (1980-
1984).
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 guid-
ance 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.
 Follow the Green Arrow
1990-1995
In 1990 HCGC found its warm, capable,
friendly, and highly accomplished Mrs. Guild
installed as President of The Garden Club of
Virginia. Mrs. Sophie Clagett received The
GCV Horticulture Award of Merit the same
year.
Mrs. Lindsay and Mrs. Arthur Sibold,Jr.
(Libby), intrepid members of HCGC, ven-
tured off to Col. Reeves's Adult Nature Camp.
To the amazement and whole-hearted admi-
ration of the club, they reported that they not
only endured but also enjoyed the rigorous
experience.
Mrs. Timothy L. Bryan (Penny) was
elected club president for 1991-1993 and
wisely strengthened our "infra-structure."
The bylaws were refined and dues raised. The
increased challenges of working members and
graying members were smoothly met and re-
solved. The highlight was the marvelous 50th
Birthday Party of The Hunting Creek Gar-
den Club at the home of Mrs. Latham. A
wonderful turnout of former and out-of-town
members reminisced on the founding and
former days of the club. Members were re-
galed with tales of hats and white gloves, el-
egant tea tables, and afternoon meetings "back
then." The club rejoiced to have Mrs. Guild
back after her highly successful term as Presi-
dent of The GCV, and of course she blended
right in like the pro she is.
Planning for The GCV Board of Gover-
nors' Meeting in 1993 went into high gear
under the chairmanship of Mrs. Cox and Mrs.
Gray. Mrs. Sibold was Chairman of The GCV
Conservation Forum in Richmond on "Con-
servation in Virginia - From the Mountains
to the Sea."
Mrs. Lindsey and Mrs. Sibold went off to
a post-grad course at Nature Camp taking
their husbands with them this time.
Mrs. Sibold became club president in
1993 and welcomed The GCV Board of Gov-
ernors to the meeting in Alexandria in Octo-
ber. All the detailed planning paid off. With
butterfly gardens as the horticulture exhibits
and frog tote bags to hold the papers, the
meeting assembled under October's bright
134
blue skies. John Trott, naturalist, was an out-
standing speaker with his slides of wildlife in
Virginia. The tour of historic homes and gar-
dens with a stop at the Apothecary Shop Mu-
seum, HCGC's current project, was well re-
ceived. 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.
THE HUNTINGTON GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
The presidents who "bookended" the de-
cade of the 1970s were half-weeping with
laughter. Old friends, they had become mem-
bers of The Huntington Garden Club in the
mid-1960s and had been asked to review the
club's history during and between their terms
of office.
"Do you remember.... ?" asked '78-'80 for
perhaps the fifth time. "Oh yes," responded
her friend, wiping her eyes, "but we can't ac-
tually tell any of that." In the end, though,
they decided that the story of the difficulties
overcome was worth reporting and might not
even be unique.
By 1970 The Huntington Garden Club
was resting on its laurels.
("What do you mean 'resting on its lau-
rels?"' asked '71-'73. "'Dying on the vine'
would be more like it.")
By now the members, still enthusiastic
about their project, were tiring, and certainly
not getting any younger. While Patrick Henry
Hospital greatly appreciated its glorious land-
scaping, it was unable to provide maintenance,
and the club's volunteer group, "The Weed-
ers," was running out of steam. The annual
Wreath Sale proceeds were used to contract
with a landscape nursery to clean up beds and
 The Member Clubs
replace shrubs and trees. From time to time
an older building was razed, and plantings
were provided for its replacement, but all of
this was handled by a few of the older mem-
bers: hardly a whole club hands-on experience.
While newer members respected the club's
past accomplishments and enjoyed the
monthly gloves-and-hat social luncheon meet-
ings, it was apparent that a fresh wind was
needed.
Fresh winds are generated by fresh young
people, and the members' own daughters and
their friends belonged to the Auxiliary. The
solution, of course, was to enlarge the consti-
tutional membership and assimilate the Aux-
iliary, thereby bringing in the next generation
and a voting majority willing to make changes.
The nineteen-seventies was a decade of
reassessment and growth for The Hunting-
ton Garden Club. The club was strengthened
by the process and enabled to go forth to new
accomplishments in ensuing decades. A debt
will always to owed to the club presidents dur-
ing the 70s, whose patience and guidance set
us on course to becoming a vital and produc-
tive garden club: Mrs. Raymond M. Brown
(Evelyn), Mrs. Wendell Hussey (Woody), Mrs.
M. Quincy Holt (Mary Sherwood), Mrs.
Albert 0. Goodale, Jr. (Iona), Mrs.]. Gayle
Sanford (Elizabeth), Mrs. George B. Colonna,
Jr. (Cynthia), and Mrs. Thomas R. Watkins
(Jean).
1980-1990
The 1980s were a period of pride and ac-
complishment for The Huntington Garden
Club. Just ask any one of the hard-working
presidents of that decade: Mrs. Nelson
Durden (Molly), Ms. Benson Bowen, Mrs.
George S. Hankins, Jr. (Ann), Mrs. Charles
Zimmerman, Jr. (Elizabeth), or Mrs. Byrd
Saville (Judy)!
Plans were developed for completing the
landscaping of Patrick Henry Convalescent
Hospital, a task greatly simplified by its ac-
quisition by a major non-profit hospital cor-
poration which not only converted it into a
modern nursing home and geriatric care fa-
cility but also could afford to landscape and
135
maintain the grounds.
The club's valedictory contribution to
Patrick Henry Hospital was the design and in-
stallation of what was originally termed a
"Prayer Garden" but was finally named the
"Garden of Meditation" in the interest of po-
litical correctness. This walled garden in-
cluded asphalt wheelchair paths for the pa-
tients and residents and also appropriate
benches. Mrs. Christopher Phillips
(Deborah), who was chairman of the endeavor,
viewed the terms "appropriate" and "unob-
tainable" as synonymous for several years.
The benches were finally acquired, and in
1979 the garden was completed, thus bring-
ing to a close 35 years of Huntington's involve-
ment with Patrick Henry Hospital.
During this decade, many members ex-
pressed the need and desire for flower arrang-
ing workshops, which were given annually,
with emphasis on the time period immediately
preceding Historic Garden Week.
Interest in conservation increased as we
became more aware of the planet's diminish-
ing resources. One meeting program each
year was devoted to environmental concerns,
and the presentation of an "environmental
minute," a brief report on some aspect of con-
servation, was included as a regular agenda
item for each meeting.
The honor of sponsoring the Annual
Meeting of The GCV was ours in 1990, and
planning and fund raising for that auspicious
event consumed a fair amount of energy. Since
we were already committed to an annual fund
raiser, the Wreath Sale, we decided to assess
each member $20 a year from 1986-1990 and
were then smart enough to appoint a banker's
wife, Mrs. Carl Burgdorf (Katharine), as chair-
man of the arrangements.
This money, combined with proceeds
from the Wreath Sale (which were building
up nicely as we awaited delivery of the afore-
mentioned benches) gave us a nest egg. When
we
learned that the Virginia Living Museum had
recently completed an ambitious long-term
landscaping plan for its 30 acres but did not
have the resources to fund it, Huntington was
ready.
 Follow the Green Arrow
In 1989, we entered into a five-year com-
mitment to the Museum (no more open-ended
projects for us) ane promised volunteer help
and a minimum of$15,000 over that time. In
its turn, the Museum agreed to make the But-
terfly Garden a memorial, dedicated to
Huntington's charter members and members
emeritae, and installed a bronze plaque com-
memorating those ladies.
By the end of the decade and with addi-
tional help from other civic-minded groups,
an irrigation system had been installed at the
Virginia Living Museum, and the Wildflower
Garden, the Butterfly Memorial Garden, and
Outdoor Aviary were in place. It was appar-
ent that the Huntington Garden Club would
enter the '90s with enthusiasm and a real sense
of who we were.
1990-1995
The Huntington Garden Club sponsored
The Garden Club of Virginia Annual Meet-
ing 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 presi-
dent 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 Liv-
ing Museum, which became the largest bo-
tanical display of native plants in Virginia. The
Memorial Butterfly Garden was made a spe-
cial project account to ensure tax-deductibil-
ity of contributions, and a permanent "Book-
of-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 "how-
to" 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
began in early 1991, and the exhibit was al-
most 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 cer-
emonial 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 Com-
mon Wealth Award, and hundreds of volun-
teer 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 dis-
repair. The club's contribution for landscap-
ing matched a grant requirement and so did
double duty.
The club's new exciting project, that is,
the type which involves planning and (volun-
teer) 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
 The Member Clubs
virginicurn, and many more. (It cannot be lim-
ited 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 garden-
ing 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 Gar-
den 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 resto-
ration work at the University of Virginia.
In the spring of 197 5, the provisional
members staged a meeting and workshop fea-
turing Mrs. Philip M. Minor's (Lucy Payne)
talk on flower arranging, a topiary demonstra-
tion, 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 rib-
bon 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 flow-
ers consigned to the trash basket, retrieved,
and arranged by talented and apparently des-
perate members."
Restoration and beautification projects
were financed by the traditional Christmas
Green Sale. Requiring hard work, ingenuity,
137
and long hours of dedication to wreaths and
trees from almost every member, the results
of this combined effort were used for plant-
ing and landscaping throughout Richmond.
In the last ten years, the club labored from
Church Hill (St. John's Church and the East
View Overlook) to Grace House, The Caskie
House, Museum of the Confederacy, and
Monumental Church.
During this decade club members made
outstanding contributions to The Garden
Club of Virginia. Mrs. Hall was Chairman of
Historic Garden Week in 1971 when a record-
breaking $100,000 was realized for the first
time for Garden Week. Mrs. Hall served as a
Director-at-Large (1971-1974), Second Vice
President (1974-1976), and Chairman of the
Kent-Valentine House (1978-1980). Mrs.
Robert J. Keller III (Sarah) was elected The
GCV Recording Secretary (1978-1980). Mrs.
James 0. Burke (Alice) was appointed Chair-
man of the Finance Committee (197 6-1978)
and Mrs. Hunter H. McGuire, Jr. (Alice),
Chairman of Historic Garden Week (1977-
1979).
Members serving as club presidents dur-
ing the 1970s were Mrs. William T Reed, Jr.,
Mrs. Richard A. Michaux, Mrs. Spotswood B.
Hall, Jr., Mrs. Zayde Rennolds Dotts, and Mrs.
Calvin Satterfield III.
1980-1990
In 1981, The Jam es River Garden Club
made a radical change in money-raising tech-
niques. 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 Vir-
ginia 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 conser-
 Follow the Green Arrow
vation. For these achievements members were
grateful, tired, and solvent.
The Jam es River Garden Club and the
Tuckahoe Garden Club of Westhampton
worked together to stage The GCV Rose
Show in 1981and1982.
Restoration and beautification have long
been top priorities for The JRGC. Starting
with iris in the grass plots on Monument Av-
enue in 1915, the club financed the landscap-
ing, labeling, and renovating of a wide variety
oflocations. In 1982 a committee was formed
to review and report on the status of each
project. As a result, projects were updated and
renewed to the tune of several thousand dol-
lars. This became an on-going challenge.
Labeling every tree at Maymont was such
an undertaking that Mrs. B. Armistead Burke
(Beulah) was awarded the deLacy Gray Medal
in 1982.
The club's activities were expanded to in- Mrs. Philip M. Minor at a GCV Lily Show.
clude Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden (with
the other three Richmond clubs in The GCV),
The Children's Hospital, Richmond Renais- GCV Daffodil Show in 1984.
sance ($3,000 for benches along Canal Walk), The JRGC sponsored The GCV 69th
the Science Museum, and Maymont's Foun- Annual Meeting in 1989. This undertaking,
tain Court (with the Tuckahoe Garden Club engineered by Mrs. E. Reed Carter (Elisabeth)
of Westhampton), to name a few. and Mrs. John K. Burke (Archer) involved
Concern with conservation resulted in a just about every member of the club - twice.
$2,000 contribution to the Nature Conser- The carefully planned schedule of complexi-
vancy Heritage Program. An unprecedented ties of such a meeting ran along like clock-
club meeting was held at the North Anna work. Locations ranged from lunches at Lewis
Nuclear Plant. Ginter Botanical Garden to dinner at Bran-
The club continued to send two children don with the Honorable Robert W Daniel and
to Nature Camp and supported the Bottle Bill, Mrs. Daniel (Linda) to tea at the Executive
the saving of Virginia wetlands, and the pro- Mansion. A tour and box lunch in the garden
grams of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. at Redesdale, home of Mrs. Charles L. Reed,
Members continued to be active in horti- Jr. (Ann), was given by The Boxwood and the
culture and flower shows. TheJRGC mother- Tuckahoe Garden Club of Westhampton.
daughter combination, Mrs. Minor and her Garden tours, talks, and bus rides all culmi-
daughters, Mrs. William T. Reed III (Helen nated in several gala dinners at members'
Scott) and Mrs. S. Townsend Harrison (Sa- homes and a spectacular banquet at The
rah), was widely recognized as outstanding Jefferson Hotel that drew letters of praise from
flower show judges and horticulturists. far and wide.
Again a family matter, a unique award was Members continued to hold positions
given to a sister-in-law team, Mrs. Henry L. with The Garden Club of Virginia. Mrs.
Valentine II (Peggy) and Mrs. E. Massie Val- McGuire was Corresponding Secretary (1980-
entine, Jr., when they received the coveted 1982) and a Director-at-Large (1984-1987).
Jeffress Bowl. Mrs. S. Townsend Harrison Mrs. Hall served as Chairman of the Kent-
won the Louise Morris Goodwin Bowl at The Valentine House Committee (1981-1984), the

138
 The Member Clubs
Historian and Custodian of Records (1984-
1986), and Chairman of the GCV Admissions
Committee (1986-1988). Mrs. Keller was
Chairman of Historic Garden Week (1985-
1987).
Mrs. Robert A. Bristow, Mrs. Robert
Carter, Mrs. Daniel D. Talley III, Mrs. V.
Richardson Anderson, and Mrs. FitzGerald
Bemiss served as club presidents during the
1980s.
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-it-
yourself composting and weeding, victory gar-
dening, 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 pro-
gram of recycling in two neighborhoods. The
program was so successful that by 1992 curb-
side recycling expanded to 56,000 homes in
the city. Again, energized by Mrs. Ware, The
JRGC financed the publication of 3,000 cop-
ies 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 self-
styled "trash queen,'' received The GCV
deLacy Gray Medal in 1991 as a tireless vi-
sionary who, with endless energy and stew-
139
ardship, has served as a catalyst for environ-
mental action in Virginia and, indeed, across
the nation.
In a joint effort with the Tuckahoe Gar-
den Club of Westhampton, Lewis Ginter Bo-
tanical Garden, and The Jam es River Garden
Club, a permanent composting demonstration
site was established near the Children's Gar-
den at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.
A generous member gave the club mem-
bership copies of "Fifty Simple Things You
Can Do to Save the Earth." Points from this
booklet were discussed at subsequent meet-
mgs.
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 revi-
talization of the dogwood trees at the Caril-
lon which it planted 55 years ago.
The members took a James River Raft-
ing Trip twice, accompanied by a guide to
point out the sights and save skins. A won-
derfully rewarding meeting was held at
Riverfront Plaza. The program was a tour of
Richmond's downtown and neighborhood ar-
eas with speakers from Central Richmond
Association and Richmond Riverfront Devel-
opment. Members have broadened their ho-
 Follow the Green Arrow
rizons and enjoyed knowing members of all
ages by a variety of trips to destinations as var-
ied as Charleston, S. C., Poplar Forest, the
Chelsea Flower Show in London, and the
Philadelphia Flower Show.
In response to members' requests, half
The JRGC meetings are scheduled in the
morning and half in the afternoon. Most are
in historic places such as St. John's Church.
Other special localities have been Virginia
Union University and Westminster-Canter-
bury.
Probably one of the club's most success-
ful accomplishments has been the continuing
appeal of its cookbook, "Taste ofVirginia." It
has been reprinted with a few updates. Thanks
to the diligence of the committee members,
sales ring up amazing totals. Long may it be a
best seller.
TheJames River Garden Club presidents
in the 1990s were Mrs. Alfred P. Scott, Mrs.
Alexander M. Fisher, Jr., and Mrs. Frederick
S. Fisher.
LEESBURG GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
In the 1970s, Leesburg Garden Club con-
tinued its annual plant sale, a fifty-year tradi-
tion. Through the years funds from this sale
were used to landscape the Loudoun Memo-
rial Hospital, Leesburg Volunteer Fire De-
partment, and Loudoun County Courthouse.
In support of Leesburg's Bicentennial activi-
ties, the club combined a house tour with the
plant sale.
Another annual tradition was the Christ-
mas greens workshop in the spacious basement
of Woodburn, home of Mr. and Mrs. W. Hugh
Peal (Margaret). The wreaths and swags were
made to decorate the Courthouse and adjoin-
ing office buildings.
Daffodil bulbs, donated by club members,
were awarded to local homeowners who were
outstanding in beautifying their yards. Mem-
bers participated in all The Garden Club of
Virginia Flower Shows. In 1970, Mrs. Dou-
glas Phillips (Elizabeth) won The GCV
140
Sponsor's Cup and Mrs. Jam es F. Birchfield
Gane) won both The GCV Blanche Rohrer
Davis Cup and Blue Ridge Garden Club Cup
in The Garden Club of Virginia Lily Show.
Mrs. Peal was awarded The Garden Club of
Virginia Horticulture Award of Merit in 1970.
On a state-wide level, three members dis-
tinguished themselves in 197 5. Mrs.
Birchfield won The GCV Massie Medal for
"her outstanding accomplishments in the field
of horticulture, particularly in the growing of
lilies and daffodils, and for her energetic work
and generous sharing of knowledge with other
gardeners." Mrs. B. Powell Harrison (Agnes)
won the deLacy Gray Memorial Medal for
"her dedicated and effective work to protect
the natural resources of the Commonwealth,
and for her years of service in the promotion
of recycling and reuse, of environmental edu-
cation and oflegislation to preserve the beauty
of the land." Col. Robert S. Pickens, an hon-
orary member of LGC, won The GCV Hor-
ticulture Award of Merit in 197 5. Mrs. Peal
won The GCV Horticulture Award of Merit
again in 1978.
Mrs. Harrison served as Director-at-
Large of The Garden Club of Virginia from
1977 to 1980, and Mrs. James S. Dietz
(Rosalie) was The GCV Historian and Cus-
todian of Records from 1978 to 1980.
In the 1970s, the club saw its proceeds
from Historic Garden Week grow from
$4,855in1973to$7,760in1979. The high-
light of these tours was the Sunday evening
candlelight tour of Oak Hill, historic home of
club member Mrs.Joseph Prendergast Gean).
Club presidents during the 1970s were
Mrs. Charles F. Holden, Mrs. Douglas
Phillips, Mrs. W. Hugh Peal, Mrs. Bertram
C. Harrison, Mrs.Jam es W. Dietz, and Mrs.
Edward W. Goshorn.
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
 The Member Clubs
Sweepstakes Award for the show. She also
presented a new award, The Garden Club of
Virginia Col. Robert S. Pickens Memorial
Cup, in memory of her late husband.
At The Garden Club of Virginia Annual
Meeting in May, Miss Nancy Rogers received
The GCV Horiculture Award of Merit for her
collection of Virginia wildflower slides with
accompanying lectures. The Garden Club of
Virginia President, Miss Jean Printz, was a
guest of the club for two days in June 1981.
Everyone enjoyed getting to know this spe-
cial person during her visit.
The club nominated The Xerox Corpo-
ration for The GCV Award for Meritorious
Achievement in Conservation. Xerox received
this award in 1982 at the 23rd Annual Con-
servation Forum in Charlottesville.
In 1982, the club received the Common
Wealth Award for its project, the landscaping
at The Douglas Community Center and Park.
Also, in 1982, Mrs. William J. McDonald
(Dorothy) was appointed to a two-year term
as Director of Public Relations of The GCV.
In 1983, Mrs. Peal was awarded The GCV
Massie Medal for "furthering the aims, ideals
and programs ofThe Garden Club ofVrrginia
while at the same time making a significant
contribution to the local comm1lnity."
Throughout the 1980s, club members
were involved not only in garden club activi-
ties but also in civic and state-wide activities.
The club continued to monitor the county sign
and zoning ordinances. This resulted in an
unusual experience in 1986. When Lyndon
LaRouch, extremist political leader, moved to
Leesburg, one of his organizations filed for a
variance before the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Along with other concerned citizens, the club
gathered to protest this request. Mr. La Rouch
was so enraged that in response to a television
interviewer's question he said about the club,
"You've got these clacking busybodies in this
Soviet jellyfish front sitting here in
Leesburg ..... making nuisances of themselves."
Well, we' cl been called many things, but never
communists!
In September 1987, a teak Lutyens-style
bench was presented by the club to the
Oatlands Plantation in appreciation of its res-
141
toration of the Oatlands garden. This was just
in time for the October visit of Mrs.Jam es C.
Godwin (Ellen), President of The Garden
Club of Virginia.
Mrs. Patrick Acheson 0udy) was ap-
pointed Slides Committee Chairman for The
Garden Club of Virginia (1988-1990).
Club presidents in the 1980s were Mrs.
William J. McDonald, Mrs. Benjamin H.
McElhinney, Mrs. Winslow Williams, Mrs.
Patrick Acheson, and Mrs.Jam es F. Tyler.
1990-1995
Leesburg Garden Club was pleased to win
the Inter-Club Silver Bowl for the fifth con-
secutive year at the Upperville Flower Show
in April 1990.
October 1990 saw years of planning come
to fruition when the club sponsored the 77th
Meeting of the Board of Governors, a de-
manding but rewarding job. All the rights to
a bench logo, created for this meeting by a
club member, were given to Oatlands for its
use.
In April 1991, $250.00 was donated to
plant a tree on the newly created Memorial
Parkway (Route 7 East) in honor of Mrs.
Pickens, in her nineties and still a productive
club member. Mrs. K. B. Kingsley (Kassie)
was the recipient of The GCV Horticulture
Award of Merit in May 1991. That same
month The Garden Club ofVrrginia proposed
to restore a sixty-foot section of the unique,
historic garden wall at Oatlands.
While a member of The GCV Conser-
vation Committee (1991-1994), Mrs. William
H. Brown Q"ean) represented The Garden
Club of Virginia on the steering committee
of the Virginia Environmental Network. Mrs.
James F. Tyler (Lynn) became The GCV
Flowers Show Chairman for 1992-1994.
The club was saddened in November
1993 by the death of Mrs. Pickens. In the late
1930s, she had pioneered the crusade against
roadside billboards. In 1940 she petitioned
the Board of Supervisors to explore the cre-
ation of zoning as a tool to protect the ap-
pearance of Loudoun County's roadsides.
Mrs. Pickens was named chairman of the
 Follow the Green Arrow
county's first Planning Commission. Loudoun
County gained national recognition in 1924
when it became the first agricultural county
in the country to adopt a zoning ordinance.
Only a few months before her death, the club
had awarded her, for the second time, the Rust
Bowl for service. LGC will do its best to con-
tinue her good work - no easy task in rapidly-
growing Loudoun County.
In addition to the usual greens workshop,
the club held a Christmas raffle for the first
time in December 1993. Prizes included room
decorations, arrangements, and wreaths. It
was a great success, thus ending the year on a
positive note!
Club presidents during the early 1990s
were Mrs. Stephen Conger, Mrs. Claude C.
Arthur, and Mrs. John H. Cook III.
THE LITTLE GARDEN CLUB
OF WINCHESTER
1970-1980
What had begun in 1934 as a little club of
16 members with little gardens had gone
through 40 years of progress and change. The
members were pleased with what the club was
doing in the 1970s, although it was no longer
so little.
The members of The Little Garden Club
of Winchester continued to have a variety of
interests and talents and to work together to
accomplish objectives as a garden club. In
1970 members began working with the Win-
chester Council of Garden Clubs to help spon-
sor a local flower show each fall.
The death in 1971 of Mrs. Edward Barr
(Virginia Boyd), a charter member who had
been president twice and who had worked tire-
lessly in her efforts in every facet of the club,
was a great loss. The Virginia Boyd Barr
Award was established in her memory and pre-
sented annually, when merited, to a member
who had given outstanding service on behalf
of The Little Garden Club. It was first
awarded in 1973 to Mrs. J. Sloan Kuykendall
(Emily), a past president who participated in
activities throughout the state. She served as
142
GCV Historian and Custodian of Records
(1972-1974). The Little Garden Club ofWm-
chester sponsored the Board of Governors'
Meeting of The Garden Club of Virginia in
October 1972.
Locally, the club expanded its involvement
in the preservation and conservation of beauty
in and around this small historic town. Mem-
bers sponsored Historic Garden Week with
Winchester-Clarke Garden Club, supported
landscaping at the Preservation of Historic
Winchester's new headquarters, decorated
rooms at historic Abram's Delight for Christ-
mas tours, and maintained flower beds there
during the summer. The club donated money
to the Handley Library for the purchase of a
new linden tree and to the National Trust for
Historic Preservation for use at Belle Grove
Plantation. Contributions were made to the
local recycling program. In 1974 the club
contributed $1,000 to a landscaping project
at the new Daniel Morgan Middle School. In
1978 it began to assist the Winchester Parks
and Recreation Department in the develop-
ment of an eleven-park area by providing ad-
vice and funds for a landscaping project at the
Frederick Douglass Park. Children received
scholarships to Nature Camp each year.
In March 197 5, The Little Garden Club
of Winchester had its 40th anniversary as a
garden club and its 20th anniversary as a mem-
ber of The Garden Club of Virginia.
During the 1970s, another club president,
Mrs. Stewart Bell, Jr. (Rosalie), was Second
Vice President of The GCV (1976-1978) and
represented the club well in the fields of con-
servation and restoration. In 1976, Mrs. Bell
was appointed by Governor Godwin to serve
on an eleven-member committee on "outdoor
advertising in sight of public highways." For
many years a leading advocate for highway
beautification, Mrs. Bell devoted countless
hours to the preservation of Virginia's natural
landscape and to the promotion of education
in all areas of conservation and beautification.
Members serving as club presidents dur-
ing the 1970s were Mrs. W. H. Lawrence, Jr.,
Mrs. Virgil R. Strader, Jr., Mrs. W.W. Baker,
Mrs. J. Victor Arthur, Jr., Mrs. Ferman W.
Perry, and Mrs. Harry R. Kern, Jr.
 The Member Clubs
1980-1990
The highlight at the beginning of the
1980s for The Little Garden Club of Win-
chester was Mrs. Bell's receiving the deLacy
Gray Medal at the Annual Meeting of The
Garden Club of Virginia. She was recognized
for her total and tireless dedication to the cause
of highway beautification. Every member of
the club had been affected by her enthusiasm
and dedication in opposing highway billboards
and in the effort to have Route 7 from Wm-
chester to Alexandria designated the Harry
Flood Byrd Highway.
In 1982 the members were saddened by
the deaths of Rosalie Bell and Emily
Kuykendall. Both had given immeasurable
service to The Little Garden Club of Win-
chester and The Garden Club of Virginia.
In the early 1980s the local civic project
with the Winchester Parks and Recreation
Department was continued. Twenty-two trees
were planted at the Frederick Douglass Park.
Trees were also planted at the local high school
and at the Northwestern Workshop. Annuals
at Family Land in the City Park and bulbs at
Westminster-Canterbury were also planted.
In the late 1980s, the club's efforts and
resources were directed to two other local civic
projects. The first was a landscaping project
in the backyards of two low-income non-profit
housing corporations. The second was a much
larger landscaping project on the grounds of
Stonewall Jackson's Headquarters, a Regis-
tered Virginia and National Historic Land-
mark in Winchester. It is visited annually by
thousands of people and was much in need of
landscaping improvements. In 1989, The
Little Garden Club made this project an on-
going and sole civic beautification project and
divided the work into stages. Mrs. Nikolas
Parthemos (Martha), chairman of the commit-
tee, spearheaded the planning, planting, and
weeding work. Her enthusiasm, along with
her wish list, generated help from other club
members and others in the community who
donated labor and materials.
Other things were happening in The
Little Club of Winchester. The bylaws were
updated and categories changed. The mem-
143
bership also continued to change: workshops
were held where experienced arrangers taught
the less experienced. The club continued to
raise money for its projects at the annual
Christmas Auction.
The club sponsored The Garden Club of
Virginia Lily Shows in 1987 and 1988 under
the able leadership of Mrs.James Berry (Betty)
and Mrs. William Mote (Susie).
Club presidents during the 1980s were
Mrs. Harry R. Kern, Jr., Mrs.James L. Berry,
Mrs. William M. Mote, Mrs. Charles L.
Burns, Jr., Mrs. Sarah]. MacLellan, and Mrs.
Phillip S. Griffin.
1990-1995
The Little Garden Club of Wmchester
turned 60 in the 1990s. The membership in-
cluded 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, in-
stituted new ones, and eliminated some. The
Little Garden Club of Winchester and the
Winchester-Clarke Garden continued to co-
sponsor 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 De-
light, 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 bet-
ter informed. Individual members continued
 Follow the Green Arrow
to make a difference in the club and in the
community. Mrs. Philip Glaize (Dolly) was
responsible for preserving and planting many
trees in Winchester and was instrumental in
th~ e.stablishment of the local City Tree Com-
nuss10n.
Perhaps the most exciting new endeavor
was the Little Nature Camp, sponsored by
The Little Garden Club of Winchester and
begun by Mrs. Philip Glaize,Jr. (Mary Bruce)
in the summer of 1993. She learned about
one-week day camps at The GCV Conserva-
tion Forum and obtained guidelines on the
mechanics of running it from the Piedmont
Environmental Council. The number of chil-
dren attending was limited to twenty, and two
scholarships were offered. Its purpose is: "to
help bond children with nature, arming them
with knowledge and leaving them with an un-
derstanding and love for the environment."
The Little Nature Camp, the club's newest
project, helps to define one of the primary ob-
jectives of The Little Garden Club of Win-
chester in the 1990s.
Club presidents in the early 1990s were
Mrs. Philip S. Griffin, Mrs. Dennis W: Wise,
and Mrs. Philip J. O'Donnell.
THE LYNCHBURG GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
Advocacy for the beautiful, beloved Peaks
of Otter began the decade for The Lynchburg
Garden Club when Appalachian Power Com-
pany proposed to run a high-voltage line
through Bedford County across the fore-
ground of the Peaks. Mrs. J. Edward Shank
CJ acqueline) helped to found The Central Vir-
ginia Environment League, Inc., which pro-
moted and effected legislation regarding the
State Corporation Commission. This land-
mark law put the first ribbon of restraint on
the sec by requiring that landowners be
heard when utility companies wished to seize
their land by the power of eminent domain.
This was the beginning of much needed leg-
islation to protect Virginia's countryside.
Mrs. Shank traveled to The Nansemond
144
River and The Spotswood Garden Clubs to
speak on conservation legislation. Mrs.James
W: Wiltshire, Jr. (Grace) visited seven of The
Garden Club of Virginia clubs and presented
"Birds of Virginia Gardens," illustrated with
her slides.
In 1973, The Lynchburg Garden Club
rejoiced in the celebration of its 50th anniver-
sary as a member of The Garden Club of Vir-
ginia. The most exciting, challenging, and
rewarding event of the anniversary year was
entertaining the 53rd Annual Meeting of The
Garden Club of Virginia. The club's anniver-
sary gift to the Kent-Valentine House was a
pair of handsome candelabra in honor of be-
loved member Mrs. Powell Glass (Anne), a
Past President of The Garden Club of Vir-
ginia.
In honor of the Bicentennial, donations
of $1,000 were made to Point of Honor, to
the Lynchburg Historical Foundation, and to
the landscaping of the Robert D. Morrison
Garden at the Main Street approach to the
new Rivermont Bridge. Plans and plants
were given to the Lynchburg Training
School and Hospital for a patio garden for
wheelchair patients. To reduce the amount
of driving during the fuel shortage, the Bi-
centennial Historic Garden Week concen-
trated on old city homes in close proximity.
The club was thrilled to learn that the 197 6
Lynchburg Garden Day raised over one-
third of the total receipts in the HGW Dis-
trict. Club members were indeed proud of
the returns on this traditional joint venture
with Hillside Garden Club.
Lynchburg landmark Point of Honor
was selected by The Garden Club of Virginia
as its restoration project for 1978 and was the
recipient of some of these garden day pro-
ceeds.
A provisional group of enthusiastic nov-
ice gardeners was organized in 197 4 and in
1978 held the state meeting of provisionals
from six clubs.
Club presidents during the 1970s were
Mrs. H. D. Forsyth, Mrs.]. Edward Shank,
Mrs. James W. Wiltshire, Jr., Mrs. Karl F.
Hehl, Mrs. Robert G. Taylor, Jr., and Mrs.
Lewis B. Goode, Jr.
 The Member Clubs
1980-1990
The "greening of Lynchburg" was the
main focus of activity of The Garden Club of
Lynchburg in the 1980s. Operation Plant-A-
Tree (OPAT) turned trash into cash by recy-
cling newspaper, aluminum, and glass at four
collection sites across town. Thus, valuable
landfill space was saved, and the city was re-
forested by the sale of the recycled items. Or-
ganized and ably led by Mrs. H. Gordon
Leggett, Jr. (Pat), Mrs. Frank G. Davidson,
Jr. (Cissy), Mrs.John H. Mandot (Hazel), and
Mrs. Powell M. Glass, Jr. Goan), club mem-
bers worked at the sites on a monthly basis, at
first alone, and later with the aid of many com-
munity groups. Enthusiastic citizen involve-
ment occurred city-wide as a result of com-
prehensive promotion in all media as well as
in educational anti-litter, recycling, and con-
servation programs in schools.
From its inception until it was taken over
by the Lynchburg Beautification Commission,
OPAT saved 13 million pounds of recycled
items from the landfill and earned more than
$100,000 which was donated to the city to
plant well over 3000 trees. Peripheral ben-
efits included the establishment of a city for-
estry advisory board, appointment of a city
horticulturist, completion of the master street
tree plan, observance of Arbor Day, and des-
ignation of Lynchburg as a Tree City, USA,
one of five in the state.
The most cherished awards were those
from The Garden Club of Virginia. OPAT
was named a three-time finalist in The GCV
Common Wealth Awards in 1981, 1982, and
198 7. Mrs. Davidson was proud to be a
speaker about OPAT at the Conservation Fo-
rum in Charlottesville in 1987 and to answer
requests for advice from other member clubs
of The GCV and administrators of other cit-
1es.
Early in the 1980s, the club was saddened
by the deaths of Mrs. Glass and Miss
Katherine Ann Mundy. A silver tray was given
to the Kent-Valentine House in memory of
Miss Mundy, and a donation was made to the
Presidents of The Garden Club of Virginia
Fund in memory of Mrs. Glass.
145
The club's many civic projects included a
window at the Aviary (the garden center for
the Lynchburg Council of Garden Clubs),
continued decoration of Point of Honor for
Christmas Open House and Garden Day,
sponsorship of a camper to Nature Camp, and
maintenance of the gardens at the Miller-
Claytor House and Point of Honor. New
projects included sponsorship of Westvaco for
The GCV Award for Meritorious Achieve-
ment in Conservation, co-sponsorship of an
inner-city park in White Rock Hill, and the
planting of Constitution Oaks at historic sites
around Lynchburg. The Lynchburg Bicen-
tennial Project in 1986 was the landscaping
of the 501 North Gateway to the city and the
co-sponsorship of the garden at Nichols Tav-
ern near historic Garland Hill. Funds to ac-
complish these projects were raised in creative
and enjoyable ways. Wildflower pictures taken
by Mrs. H. Bruce Thomson, Jr. were sold as
postcards. A plant sale and a perennial order-
ing service provided valuable income and in-
troduced members to Andre Viette.
The Lynchburg Garden Club became
incorporated and established an endowment
fund that grew to over $24,000 and was used
to help finance representation at The GCV
Flower Shows, Meetings, and Judging
Schools. A trip to the Philadelphia Flower
Show was a treat to all and a boost to the cof-
fers.
The Lynchburg Garden Club was proud
when its members, Mrs. Karl F. Hehl (Bea),
Mrs. Robert C. Wood III (Mina), and Mrs.
James A. Piggott (Toni) received The GCV
Horticulture Awards of Merit, and Mrs.Jesse
C. Crumbley III (Laura) won the Tri-color
Award at The GCV Rose Show in 1988.
Proceeds from Historic Garden Week,
co-sponsored by The Lynchburg Garden
Club and Hillside Garden Club, increased
from $8,400 in 1981 to $16,000 in 1989.
"Daffodil Lady," Mrs. Hehl, and
orientalist and landscape designer, Mrs.
Leggett, were members of The GCV Speak-
ers' Bureau. It was indeed an honor to have
Mrs. Leggett a Director-at-Large from 1982
to 1985, Corresponding Secretary from 1986
to 1988, and Second Vice President from 1988
 Follow the Green Arrow
GCV President Mrs. Henley L. Guild with Mrs. George A . Hurt, Mrs. Parham R. Fox, and Mrs.
Clunet H. Pettyjohn, Jr., October 1990.
to 1990 of The Garden Club of Virginia, and
to have Mrs. Wood serve as The GCV Cor-
responding Secretary from 1988 to 1990.
Club presidents during the 1980s were
Mrs. L. B. Goode, Jr., Mrs. H. G. Leggett,
Jr., Mrs. R. C. Wood ill, Mrs. A. S. Kemper
III, Mrs. Eric]. Sorenson, and Mrs. F. B.
Teague, Jr.
1990-1995
The Lynchburg Garden Club received
The GCV Massie Medal in 1947 for its beau-
tiful creation and permanent maintenance of
the garden at the Miller-Claytor House for
educational benefit to the community. Now
the club found the garden had outgrown its
bounds. Mrs. George A. Hurt (Cinda), presi-
dent, identified "spontaneity" with approving
the project, when she said at the May 1990
meeting, "Spontaneity, when it comes along,
grab it with gusto!" A plant sale fund raiser
was approved and by late September had raised
$1500 to finance the restoration of the gar-
den.
In September 1990, John P. Stevens,
Lynchburg Public Services Administrator,
wrote, "Operation Plant-A-Tree is the most
146
successful and the longest sustained recycling
program in the state of Virginia. In addition,
it is the most successful volunteer urban re-
forestation program and has made a tremen-
dous contribution to the quality of life in
Lynchburg."
Very creative and talented flower arrang-
ers came home with ribbons of all colors in
Inter-Club competition. Very able and dedi-
cated members represented the club on The
GCV Board of Directors. Mrs. Leggett served
as First Vice President (1992-1994) and was
elected President in 1994. Mrs. Wood was
elected Second Vice President for a two-year
term (1990-1992) and Parliamentarian and
Editor of the Register (1992-1994).
The Lynchburg Garden Club invited The
Garden Club of Virginia to Lynchburg for
The GCV Annual Meeting in 1992. S. Allen
Chambers,Jr., architectural historian, Barbara
Hill, President of Sweet Briar College, and
Linda Lorimer, President of Randolph-Ma-
con Woman's College, were featured speak-
ers. Dinners were held at Pharsalia, home of
Mrs. George E. Flippen, Jr. (Perkins) and at
Boonsboro Country Club. The GCV Board
luncheon was held at Shan Shui, home of Mrs.
Leggett, and the luncheons the next day were
 The Member Clubs
in six homes on Oakwood Place.
The club received The Keep America
Beautiful National Recycling Award for its
Plant-A-Tree project which had just been
turned over to the Lynchburg Beautification
Commission. A silver cup is displayed at the
City Hall. The club co-sponsored with the
Lynchburg Rotary Club a courtyard garden
at the Good Samaritan Inn, a lodge for home-
less men undergoing substance abuse rehabili-
tation and actively in search of employment.
Some of the club's learned and talented mem-
bers presented a series of three lectures and
workshops for the novice gardener.
Plans are underway for the establishment
of a mini-garden in an inner-city neighbor-
hood near Point of Honor. The club spon-
sored the luncheon meeting and public forum
with Ed McMahon, Director of American
Greenways Program, in Lynchburg. Mr.
McMahon contended that "conservation and
economic development can coexist and are
necessary to one another. Progress does not
have to be ugly or destroy the unique charac-
ter of a city."
Club presidents during the early 1990s
were Mrs. F. B. Teague, Jr., Mrs. George A.
Hurt, Mr. C. H. Pettyjohn, Jr., and Mrs. Pe-
ter 0. Ward, Jr.
TIIE MARTINSVILLE GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
The Martinsville Garden Club started this
decade by entertaining The Garden Club of
Virginia Board of Governors in October. We
were proud to number among our members
Mrs. Bate C. Toms,Jr. (Margie), Director-at-
Large (1969-1972) and Recording Secretary
(1974-1976), and Mrs. James B. Montgom-
ery (Dot), Corresponding Secretary (1976-
1978) and Second Vice President (1978-1980)
of The Garden Club of Virginia.
Whenever possible, homes and gardens
were opened for Historic Garden Week, and
if not, the club sponsored lectures by such
notables as English flower arranger Sheila
Macqueen, with proceeds going to Historic
147
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 Endow-
ment Fund of The GCV:
In 1979, the club began what was to be-
come its most ambitious project: the landscap-
ing of the grounds and parking lot of the Blue
Ridge Regional Library. This project was ac-
complished 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
The Martinsville Garden Club had waited
62 years to have one of its members as Presi-
dent of The Garden Club of Virginia, so we
were very proud when Mrs. James B. Mont-
gomery, 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
 Follow •the Green Arrow
plants, boxwood, and trees from the bulldozer
as construction began. One of the trees saved
was a magnificent Soulangeana magnolia,
which inspired the architect to design a large
semi-circular window to make the tree the
focal point of the building. In addition to the
original plantings, a new perennial garden was
added. The club continued to plant, fertilize,
weed, water, and pray over our garden and
plantings.
By 1984, a club member, Mrs. J. Robert
Walker (Edith), had distinguished herself by
having won the Harris Cup eight times, The
Beirne Bowl three times, the Bloomer Award
four times, and the Goodwin Bowl twice.
The club sponsored the annual Daffodil
Show ofThe Garden Club ofVrrginia in 1986-
1987 at Patrick Henry Community College.
A member designed and made lovely aprons,
painted with daffodils, for all workers to wear.
The club had several workshops for ar-
ranging and sponsored a flower show for club
members. Whenever a candidate could be
found, the club sponsored a child to Nature
Camp, as had been done for years.
Club presidents during the 1980s were
Mrs. John J. Austin, Mrs. William F. Stone,
Jr., Mrs. Charles C. Bassett, Mrs. Peter L.
Perry, Mrs. Franz W. Smith, and Mrs. Dwight
W. Pemberton.
1990-1995
The Martinsville Garden Club was
pleased to have its ongoing project of land-
scaping the grounds at the Blue Ridge Re-
gional Library chosen as a finalist for the Com-
mon Wealth Award.
In continuing its support oflocal beauti-
fication of Martinsville, the club donated to
the landscaping of the Adult Day Care Cen-
ter, 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 Gate-
way Streetscape Foundation, Inc., to beautify
certain areas of our city and county. In sup-
port of this project, the club sponsored a "kick-
off" fund raiser, a Western Barbeque, with the
148
proceeds going to this project.
The club was again honored by one of its
members when Mrs. J. Robert Walker was
awarded the Massie Medal in May 1990 for a
lifetime of outstanding accomplishments in
gardening, horticulture, and flower exhibit-
ing.
Club presidents during the early 1990s
were Mrs. J. William} ones III, Mrs. David C.
Jones, and Mrs. William L. Pannill.
MILL MOUNTAIN GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
If Mill Mountain Garden Club needed
one word for its decade (1970-1980), it might
be "gangbusters."
Inspired by Bob Lynn's gift of 400 dog-
wood trees, the club embarked on a money-
raising flower arranging demonstration by
Sheila Macqueen. She showed that one need
not limit oneself to flowers but could also add
some type of tree branches and a few weeds.
Next came the choice of a plot for the
club's Mill Mountain Wildflower Garden, a
long-range plan culminating in its dedication
in 1979. Interveningyearswerenotunevent-
ful. Backbreaking weed-ins and dig-ins, news-
papers, autumn leaves, grass clippings, and
perseverance were the name of the game.
Meanwhile, the club undertook more
money-raising projects: "A Night on the
Mountain" and "A Phantom Ball" were fol-
lowed by awards that made members stand
taller: horticulture achievement, The GCA
Medal (Amy Angell Collier Montague) to Mr.
and Mrs. Benjamin Parrott, and an all-time
excitement with the GCA Founders Fund
Award. To greet the delegates with loud cheers
on their proud return from The GCAMeet-
ing, a dozen or so club members, clad in jeans
and sweat shirts, wielding rakes, hoes, shovels
and trowels, arrived at the Roanoke Airport.
A brief disruption for the Roanoke Airport, a
memorable evening for MMGC.
Mrs. N. W. Bullington, Jr. (Mary Wise)
served as The Garden Club of Virginia Chair-
man of the Admissions Committee (1970-
 The Member Clubs
1972) and a Director-at-Large (1973-1976).
Mrs. E. Griffith Dodson, Jr. (Molly) was The
GCV Chairman of Admissions (197 6-1978).
No chance for boredom. Next, members
were hostesses for The GCV Board of Gov-
ernors' Meeting in 1974andlaterfound them-
selves challenged by The GCV two-year
(1977-1978) Daffodil Show. In spare moments
two squares were completed for the Kent-Val-
entine needlepoint rug.
Continuing in this busy decade was the
club's constant effort toward conservation and
recycling. Urged to bring aluminum cans and
newspapers to the waiting pick-up truck,
members were encouraged to "drink more,
read less."
Finally, The Mill Mountain Garden Club
celebrated its "Fifty Bloomin' Years" (1927-
1977) with a beautiful cocktail buffet. Club
149
president, Mrs. Peyton B. Winfree,Jr. (Betty),
summed up the club's history in verse, pre-
senting each past president with a "gold" pen-
dant which read "For Valor."
Club presidents during the 1970s were
Mrs. Beirne Carter, Mrs. B. Purnell Eggleston,
Mrs. E. Griffith Dodson, Jr., and Mrs. Peyton
B. Winfree,Jr.
1980-1990
Nothing could have made the members
more proud than having their Betty Byrne
Chaney(Mrs.JohnM. Chaney; Mrs. Hudnall
Ware III) receive The GCV deLacy Gray
Medal in 1983 for being a leader dedicated to
the causes of beautification and conservation.
Then The MMGC received The GCV Com-
 Follow the Grero Arrow
mon Wealth Award in 1988 for its Mill Moun-
tain Wildflower Garden. Fame spread far and
wide; visitors came from The Garden Club of
Dallas, the College of William and Mary
Board, and many school groups. If you were
"with it," you planned your wedding in the
Wildflower Garden.
The club continued its Beginners' Course
for young homeowners.
Historic Garden Week, a yearly project
in conjunction with Roanoke Valley Garden
Club, had two of the houses which were open
appear in The New York Times piece on His-
toric Garden Week in Virginia.
More and more members were gathering
up their courage to enter The GCV Flower
Shows and brought home rave reviews of the
Shows, a few ribbons, and even one Tri-Color
Best-in-Show, with high hopes for more in the
1990s.
MMGC is a wide-awake, gung-ho, group
of energetic women, proud to be a part of The
Garden Club of Virginia.
Club presidents during the 1980s were
Mrs. Frank A. Boxley, Mrs.John M. Chaney
(Mrs. H. Hudnall Ware III), Mrs. William G.
Sandy, Mrs.John]. Butler, and Mrs. Stanley
Breakell.
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 Tro-
phy for the best miniature bloom in The GCV
Daffodil Show in 1990. Mrs. Frank T Ellett
(Lucy) served as Chairman of The GCV Con-
servation and Beautification Committee
(1990-1992).
Led by Bill Hundley of the Science Mu-
seum, nature walks to Falls Ridge, Roaring
Run, and Bottom Gorge have been informa-
tive and fun.
Slides of The Mill Mountain Wildflower
150
Garden have gone to the Smithsonian Insti-
tution, 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 conserva-
tion 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.
THE NANSEMOND
RIVER GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
In the 1970s, TheNansemondRiverGar-
den Club began landscaping Suffolk's parking
lots as a memorial to its members. The club
worked with city officials to help preserve in-
valuable old trees and sponsored a poster con-
test 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 re-
 The Member Clubs
store the ante-bellum mansion as a cultural
center.
One of the club's smart moves was spon-
soring The Elizabeth River Garden Club for
membership in The Garden Club ofVirginia.
The clubs have enjoyed joint projects and have
worked together on three Historic Garden
Week tours.
When The GCVacquired the Kent-Val-
entine House, The NRGC made its first con-
tribution and designed a club logo which Mrs.
E. Everett Bagnell (Nita) used for the needle-
point square for the rug.
In 1971, the club suffered a setback dur-
ing the Historic Garden Week tour. King,
favorite driver for three of the members who
no longer drove, got a little rattled while de-
livering them to their assignment at the home
of Mrs. Myra Pittman Dodd. Instead of drop-
ping them off in the driveway, he drove them
right through Mrs. Dodd's garage door. That
year the profits went toward the restoration
of the Dodds' garage.
The club bounced right back the next year
with the opening of Bacon's Castle. For the
first time in history, the ghost of Bacon's Castle
went public. There were more than 5,000 visi-
tors! Several sighted the ghost in the attic as
did the hostess. This was the club's all-time
money maker, $7,000. Naturally, the club
opened it again the next year. Only loyalty to
The GCV kept those assigned to the basement
(spell that dungeon) at their posts. They
nearly froze, but their blood ran colder when,
soon after, it was discovered that the beams
supporting the first floor were totally riddled
by termites. Only habit held up the floor.
When not flirting with disaster, the mem-
bers had lots of fun. The club invited 160 area
garden club members to lunch. Everyone re-
members Mrs. Thomas J. O'Connor (Alice)
greeting guests at the door wearing a Mr. Pea-
nut costume.
In 1978, The Nansemond River Garden
Club was 50 years old. "Down Memory Lane"
was the theme that year. The golden anniver-
sary celebration included a reception honor-
ing NRGC past presidents, wonderful skits,
and a lecture-demonstration by Libby Hodges
Oliver, supervisor of the Flower Section for
151
Colonial Williamsburg. Later, Mrs. Oliver
became a valuable member of The NRGC.
At a Norfolk Garden Club Show at the
Chrysler Museum, the club's then newest
member, Mrs. Eley R. Duke. Jr. (Lydia) won
Best-in-Show. Mrs. R. Curtis Saunders, Jr.
(Martha Godwin) won the Tri-Color for her
arrangement at The GCV Daffodil Show in
1970. A super ten years.
Club presidents during the 1970s were
Mrs. M. Anderson Maxey, Mrs. Jam es C.
Godwin, Mrs. William M. Birdsong, Mrs.
James L. McLemore, Jr., Mrs. Marshall
Andrews, and Mrs. Thomas J. O'Connor.
1980-1990
The Nansemond River Garden Club
jumped into the 1980s by sponsoring The
GCV Daffodil Show in 1981 . The theme was
"Reflections on the Nansemond River." The
center of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy's
cafetorium was transformed into a marsh scene
surrounded by daffodils, a breathtaking sight.
After all the planning and perspiration, Mrs.
James L. McLemore Gane) received the Tri-
Color for her arrangement.
The club accomplished a lot in the 80s.
It was one of the first of The GCV clubs to
start its own ecology camp. This was insti-
gated by Mrs.James C. Godwin (Ellen) and is
still one of the club's most successful projects.
The club planned the landscaping of the Tide-
water Occupational Center. The community
service project of entertaining the patients at
Hillcrest Retirement Home every month was
one of the best.
NRGC was a good friend of the Suffolk
Historical Society, always helping during the
Christmas Candlelight Tour. Support of
Riddick's Folly continued with a strong com-
mitment of time, talent, and money to improve
the landscaping.
Back to Bacon's Castle, NRGC enter-
tained one hundred dignitaries and guests at a
luncheon there when the restored gardens
were presented by The GCV to the APVA in
1989. This was an especially proud moment
for The NRGC because "Our Judith" (Mrs.
F. Whitney Godwin) was one of the driving
 Follow the Green Arrow
The Nansnnond River Garden Club's two Mrs.
Godwins: Mrs. F. Whitney Godwin and Mrs.
James C. Godwin.
forces in this splendid accomplishment. She
was among the first to see the opportunity to
obtain Bacon's Castle, and she put much ef-
fort into that goal. Everyone has a favorite
''Judith Story." This, perhaps, is the impor-
tant one.
The club contributed two Presidents to
The Garden Club ofVirginia:Judith Godwin
in 1956-1958, and Ellen Godwin in 1986-
1988. During the Bicentennial, the unforget-
table Judith was Suffolk's Martha Washing-
ton. Ellen, the latest "top blossom," was prob-
ably the only woman to have made a
Treasurer's report funny. We knew then she
was destined for greatness.
A history of NRGC's first 55 years was
compiled by Mrs. Paul Everett Oudy Taylor).
Club presidents during the 1980s were
Mrs. John P. Harlow, Jr., Mrs. Austin T.
Darden, Jr., Mrs. Cecil B. Birdsong, Mrs.
Lawrence N. Smith, Mrs. Burwell R. Wmslow,
and Mrs.John C. Harrell.
1990-1995
Riddick's Folly became ever more beau-
152
tiful as The Nansemond River Garden Club's
plantings were put in place.
Getting back to the very basics of flower
arranging, the club decided to make its own
containers. The members spent an uproari-
ous afternoon up to the elbows in clay while
"throwing pots." There was great anticipa-
tion as creations were sent off to be fired. Mrs.
Dixon M. Rollins (Carleen), club president
then, announced that she had at last achieved
a "first," being quite sure that she was the first
woman to preside over a garden club meeting
wearing an apron.
And now, the club's small army and many
generals are poised and ready for action as The
GCV Rose Show approaches. In The Garden
Club of Virginia, there is never a dull moment.
Club presidents during 1990-1995 were
Mrs. Burwell R. Winslow, Mrs. Dixon M.
Rollins, and Mrs. David]. Frohman.
THE GARDEN CLUB OF NORFOLK
1970-1980
At the suggestion of the Norfolk Bicen-
tennial Commission, a Garden Club of Nor-
folk member, Mrs. Thomas H. Willcox, Jr.
(Betty) designed a scarf incorporating a gar-
den club and Bicentennial theme. The de-
sign, 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 Uni-
versity.
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
 The Member Clubs
the passionate fight to save Norfolk from the
oil refinery and was the first president of
CARE (Citizens Against Refinery Effects).
For her successful six year battle, she received
the deLacy Gray Award in 1979 for "service
in dissemination of knowledge of the natural
resources of our river and urging wise devel-
opment of these resources."
Club presidents during the 1970s were
Mrs. James D. Finley II, Mrs. Wendall L.
Winn, Mrs. Wendall L. Winn, pro tern, Mrs.
William B. Copeland, Mrs. Paul S. Huber,Jr.,
and Mrs. Levi Old, Jr.
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 oa-
sis 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 runner-
up. 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 build-
ings 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 in-
ner city neighborhood. This moderate- in-
come section of the city had deteriorated since
it was built in the twenties. Through the ef-
forts of a few club members, four vacant lots
were fenced and planted with donated plants.
153
This project was a finalist for The GCV Com-
mon Wealth Award.
The first annual Tidewater Horticultural
Symposium was co-sponsored with the Vir-
ginia Beach Garden Club in 1989. The focus
of this day was to educate the public on gar-
dening 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 dur-
ing 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.
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, box-
wood trees, roping, table arrangements made
by members, and fresh cut greens from mem-
bers' gardens were sold with a profit of ap-
proximately $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 do-
ing it.
Seven of our senior members were hon-
ored 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 spon-
sored by the club in 1993. Mr. Edward
 Follow the Green Arrow
McMahon, Director of the American
Greenway Program at the Conservation Fund,
spoke on "Saving Virginia's Sense of Place."
A guote from the 40th anniversary was a
poem composed by Betty Dabney.
"Forty years in sun and shower
We've sowed the seed and watered
the shoot,
Pruned the boughs to enhance the
flowers,
Rejoiced in foliage, blossom and fruit;
And now we pause, as artists should,
Look at our work and find it good!"
And so it is today with The Garden Club
of Norfolk, resting a moment and then look-
ing forward to new challenges.
Club presidents during the early 1990s
were Mrs.James A. Bacon, Mrs. Carter B. S.
Furr, and Mrs. Corydon M. Baylor, Jr.
THE GARDEN CLUB OF
THE NORTHERN NECK
1970-1980
In 1970, The Garden Club of the North-
ern 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 ex-
pert, became an associate member of the club.
154
With her guidance and the help of Mrs.]. H.
Cunningham (Mary), The Rappahannock
Valley Garden Club, and The Garden Club
of Gloucester, the club's first GCV Flower
Show was successful. These shows were held
at the Rappahannock Community College in
Warsaw, the county seat of Richmond County.
The club put on an Historic Garden Week
tour for The GCV before it became an offi-
cial member, which was a very helpful experi-
ence. The people in the Northern Neck, in
turn, have been thrilled with the restoration
of gardens at Stratford Hall and Historic
Christ Church. The club began to spread its
wings in horticulture. Lily, Daffodil, and Rose
Test Gardens were established. Mrs. Wat T.
Griffith (Nancy), Mrs.John Garland Pollard,
Jr. (Peggy), and Mrs. James N. Carter (Pat)
were awarded Horticulture Awards of Merit.
Mrs. Pollard designed a club seal, and Mrs.
Griffith executed a needlepoint square to be
added to the famous rug at the Kent-Valen-
tine House. Mrs. Smith served as GCV Chair-
man of Admissions (1972-1974) and Director
of Public Relations (1974-1976).
Club presidents during the 1970s were
Mrs. Benjamin B. Morris, Mrs. T. Dabney
Wellford, Mrs. Dixon L. Foster, Mrs. John
Garland Pollard, Jr., and Mrs. E. A.
deBordenave.
1980-1990
During this decade the club planted wild-
flowers on nature trails at Stratford Hall and
George Washington's Birthplace and spon-
sored 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 In-
land 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
 The Member Clubs

raise money for this Meeting, Mrs.John Gar-

land 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 pro-
gram about The GCNN because our speaker
had to cancel at the last minute.
In 1986, the club's Inter-Club artistic ar-
rangement won the Tri-Blue. The practice
of appointing teams to do Inter-Club arrange-
ments was initiated, and many clubs have fol-
lowed this idea with success. During this pe-
riod 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 be-
gun with the aid of a handbook compiled by
GCV President Mrs. Henley L. Guild and Mrs.
Mrs. W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr. (Helen) which
David Lay at the 1991 Rose Show.
explained club traditions and practices.
During the 1980s Mrs. Murphy was The
GCV's Historian and Custodian of Records awarded Queen of the Show in 1992. The
(1982-1984), Parliamentarian and Editor of club again won the Tri-Blue for our Inter-Club
the Register (1984-1986), Second Vice arrangement at The GCV Daffodil Show in
Presicent (1986-1988), and Recording Secre- Roanoke. For the second time the club was
tary (1988-1990). runner-up in the Common Wealth Award
Club presidents during the 1980s were competition with the nomination of a White
Mrs. W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr., Mrs. Richard A. Garden planted at Rappahannock
Farmar, Jr., Mrs. Lloyd T. Griffith, Mrs. Westminster-Canterbury. The prize money
Herbert W. Carden, and Mrs. James R. was spent on a butterfly garden there.
Hundley. In 1992, the club was awarded the Massie
Medal at The GCV Annual Meeting in
1990-1995 Lynchburg. Mrs. Hopkins presented the
award to Mrs. Jackson Simmons (Frances),
This decade began with The GCV Rose club president, Mrs. Benjamin Ogle Tayloe
Show 1991-1992. Co-chairmen, Mrs. Lloyd (Frances), vice president, and Mrs. W. Tayloe
T. Griffith (Mary Chester) and Mrs. Herbert Murphy, Jr., The GCV First Vice President.
W. Carden (Betty), did a superb job of direct- At the end of the meeting, Mrs. Murphy was
ing the show at Rappahannock Westminster- installed as the new President of The Garden
Canterbury. A prize horticulture specimen of Club of Virginia. Mrs. Hundley was awarded
Mrs. James R. Hundley (Charlotte) was a Horticulture Award of Merit.

155
 Follow the Green Arrow
Three beautiful exhibits at the Fine Arts
and Flowers Show at the Virginia Museum of
Fine Arts in 1993 were created by Mrs. Dou-
glas E. Winters (Suzi), Mrs. Thomas C.
Slaughter III (Marguerite), and Mrs. Phillip
Arnest (Scottie). That same year, Mrs. Will-
iam H. Edwards Gean Marie) led the club in
preparing the Christmas decorations for
Stratford Hall Plantation. The club also
started its monthly newsletter entitled "Hot
Garden Flashes" with announcements, plant
news, and club recipes.
In 1994, with the advice and leadership
of Mrs. Murphy, the club agreed to sponsor a
new club called The Garden Club of the
Middle Peninsula which includes members
from Essex, King and Queen, King William
and Middlesex counties. The spring Historic
Garden Week Tour in Sharps surpassed our
past record. The club won the award for the
best Rose Test Collection in both 1993 and
1994.
During these 25 years all the members
have joined together to make the club both
fun and productive while developing friend-
ships. Members have kept their ~enses of hu-
mor, goals ofleadership, and adherence to the
ideals of The Garden Club of Virginia. The
club looks forward to a continuation of this
spirit.
Club presidents in the early 1990s were
Mrs. C. Jackson Simmons, Mrs. Benjamin
Ogle Tayloe, and Mrs. David Lay.
THE PETERSBURG GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
The Petersburg Garden Club maintained
its keen interest in horticulture as was evident
by the large number of test collections of roses,
lilies, and daffodils purchased by members.
Numerous ribbons were won in many shows.
Following the renovation of the court-
house and the building of the new complex,
the city took over the landscaping and main-
tenance of this area. The club's project there
ended, and a donation was made to the His-
toric Petersburg Foundation to help with pres-
156
ervation and purchasing of Petersburg land-
marks which were in danger of being de-
stroyed. The club also assisted in the plant-
ing of trees on the median strips of new high-
ways 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, ac-
counts of which were gleaned from interest-
ing 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.
1980-1990
The Petersburg Garden Club began this
decade on the same exciting note on which it
ended the last. April 10, 1980, marked the
presentation of the landscape setting at Cen-
tre Hill Mansion. The members as a club,
and as residents of the city, were most grate-
ful to The GCV for this restoration project.
A rotation system of all members was set up
to help maintain the planting and keep litter
picked up. The club was proud that the
grounds were kept in beautiful condition.
Recycling became a popular theme in the
 The Member Clubs
1980s. The Petersburg Garden Club was one
of the first groups in the city to promote this
cause. The conservation chairman, Mrs.
Thomes P. Kidd,Jr. Gudy) exhorted the mem-
bers month after month to "reduce, re-use,
and recycle." Her porch was used as a de-
pository for the recyclable items until the city
established a collection station. Those bins
were welcomed with open arms. Concern for
the environment was further displayed by the
club's joining the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
A donation is sent every other year to honor
the outgoing president.
Two new events during this decade gave
members the opportunity to show off their
flower arranging skills. First was the Battersea
Ball, a marvelous event held each September
to raise money for the restoration of the fine
18th-century house, Battersea. Each year
some members helped with decorations, and
a monetary contribution was made from the
club.
The Fine Arts and Flowers Show at the
Virginia Museum provided a great opportu-
nity for the many talented ladies to show off
their interpretive skills. The club provided
hostesses as well as arrangements for this ex-
citing show in Richmond.
The club continued two traditions en-
joyed by the members. Every other fall the
Petersburg, Ashland, and Brunswick Garden
clubs meet at the Kent-Valentine House. Each
time we were fortunate to have as our speaker
the President of The Garden Club ofVirginia.
Her presence and the warm friendship shared
by these clubs make this a special time for all.
Each year when winter's bleak weather has
members feeling rather blue, we come to our
January meeting with bright plants to be taken
to patients in the local hospital. The cheery
blooms, coupled with a sense of doing for oth-
ers, sends everyone off with a smile.
The treasured Lee Park Herbarium vol-
umes were refurbished and repaired where
needed, and the collection was on loan at Ri-
chard Bland Library.
Club presidents during the 1980s were
Mrs. Lewis M . Walker III, Mrs. John D.
Haire, Jr., Mrs. Victor Parks III, Mrs. John
W Lynn, and Mrs. Oliver A. Pollard, Jr.
157
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 honor-
ary 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 be-
gan 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 antici-
pating next year's "Splashes."
In 1991, the Herbarium Committee was
formed to look into the restoration and pres-
ervation of this treasure belonging to the club.
The collection originated in 1935 with club
member Mrs. Donald Claiborne Holden su-
pervising the gathering of specimen plants
from the Lee Park area by WP.A. workers.
Bessie Niemeyer Marshall was then commis-
sioned by The Petersburg Garden Club toil-
lustrate the collection. The eleven volumes
included more than 200 specimens and cor-
responding watercolors. In 1948, the Peters-
burg Garden Club was awarded The GCV
Massie Medal for the creation and preserva-
tion 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 an-
ticipates its 70th anniversary, it is offering a
limited edition of 500 portfolio sets contain-
ing four watercolor prints of wildflowers from
the collection. It is hoped that with the pro-
ceeds from sales of these prints, steps to bet-
ter preserve the collection can be taken. The
committee also hopes to promote the educa-
tional value of this collection with video and
slide lectures.
The club considers itself an important
part of this historical city and stands ready to
 Follow the Green Arrow
assist wherever it can in Petersburg's efforts
to preserve its past and promote its future.
With this in thought and in mind, the club
has continued its support of the Battersea Ball
with an annual donation as well as assistance
with decorations. At Christmas, members
participate in decorating Centre Hill Mansion
for the holiday. The club has provided host-
esses for the Petersburg Symphony Designer
House both years this event has taken place.
The 1994 Petersburg tour for Historic
Garden Week was a first. The club sponsored
a two-day tour. The second day featured Sears
Roebuck homes in the Hopewell area. These
houses have received national attention re-
cently, and The Petersburg Garden Club was
pleased to be able to help bring these homes
to public attention through Historic Garden
Week.
Club presidents during the early 1990s
were Mrs. R. F. Burke Steele, Jr., Mrs. Gor-
don D. Shackelford, and Mrs. Thomas P.
Kidd, Jr.
THE PRINCESS ANNE
GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
In the early 1970s The Princess Anne
Garden Club's efforts to have Seashore State
Park reopened and not sold for development
had been successful. However, it had another
hurdle: the Navy wanted to build 600 hous-
ing units at Fort Story, adjacent to the Park.
That, too, was prevented by the club's efforts
and with the help of The Garden Club of Vir-
ginia.
The club's next focus was the Lynnhaven
House. Members researched and planted an
appropriate orchard and herb garden, pub-
lished a booklet on herbs for use and sale at
the house, and served as docents. The help of
the Men's Garden Club of Norfolk was sought
in planting a myrtle hedge along the property
line, and wildflowers were planted along the
entrance path. Each year the Lynnhaven
House has been included in the club's His-
toric Garden Week Tour.
158
Other projects included Hope Haven, a
local orphanage. Working with the children,
members planted a 26-tree orchard, furnished
seeds for the children to plant a vegetable gar-
den, and landscaped the houses. Members
were invited to meet there at harvest time and
were rewarded by the children with jars of
canned vegetables from their garden.
In other civic projects, funds were donated
for 100 native plants for Red Wmg, a city park.
Club members attended Richmond meetings
in support of scenic rivers and returnable con-
tainers and in opposition to billboards and
additions to the Capitol. Members worked
with CARE (Citizens Against Refinery Ef-
fects) to prevent the construction of a refin-
ery on the Elizabeth River. Working with the
Princess Anne County Historical Society, the
club contributed to the restoration and land-
scaping of Upper Wolfsnare, an 18th-century
house owned by the Society.
For the club's major fund raiser, the An-
nual Wreath Sale, boxwood was collected at
Bacon's Castle, and in later years, at Berkeley
Plantation. Treks through snow, sleet, and rain
were rewarded by tailgate parties.
In 1978, Dr. Spencer Wise of the Nature
Conservancy, who graciously contributed so
much time and good advice to the club, re-
ceived The GCV Award for Meritorious
Achievement in Conservation for timely and
constructive action in the conservation of our
natural resources. He later became an hon-
orary member of The Princess Anne Garden
Club.
In 1978, Historic Garden Week was can-
celled for the first and only time as a result of
a northeaster in the Sandbridge area. The
following year, the club returned for a suc-
cessful two-day tour to compensate for the
previous year's washout.
In the 1970s, Mrs. William R. Miller, Jr.
(Katie) served as Chairman of the Conserva-
tion and Beautification Committee (1974-
1976).
Club presidents during the 1970s were
Mrs. M. Bagley Walker, Jr., Mrs. William R.
Miller, Mrs. Russell B. Davis, Mrs. Charles
U. Walkley, Mrs. Herbert G. Robinson, and
Mrs.John Carroll Fears, Jr.
 The Member Clubs
Mrs. Powell Harrison and Mrs. William R.
Miller, Jr. on an EYES trip to Loudoun County.
1980-1990
Aware that young people were the future
decision makers, the club undertook a new
project, EYES (Educating Youth for Envi-
ronmental Service). This project was created
and developed by Mrs. Miller with helpful sug-
gestions 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 rep-
resentatives 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 Sea-
shore State Park was a joint effort of Princess
Anne and The Virginia Beach Garden Club.
The club furnished the funds for the pub-
lication of the Volunteers' Handbook and
Educational Films for the Marine Science
Museum.
159
Members sponsored two flower-arrang-
ing symposia. The first one featured the En-
glish designer, Sheila Macqueen, and the sec-
ond, Peggy Conway of Montgomery, Ala-
bama.
For better education and enlightenment
of the membership, meetings were held in such
places as The Norfolk Botanical Garden, Vir-
ginia 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 Com-
mittee (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 ofVir-
ginia 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 cel-
ebrated 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 Vir-
ginia Beach Center for the Arts for the Rose
Show, members furnished arrangements for
the Center's special events.
We dig in the dirt til our back and
knees hurt,
fix flowers and open up houses.
 Follow the Green Arrow
And we'll never pause, to help a good
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. Ef-
forts 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, restora-
tion, 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 beau-
tiful, the club provided two benches and land-
scaping at the Monument for Religious Free-
dom.
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
160
opened Germanna Community College.
With the cooperation of the college's biology
professor, Dr. Robert A. Hodge, the club
planned a nature garden with a living labora-
tory trail at Hugh Mercer Elementary School.
On a tract of land nearby, a living classroom
was developed, which made available to chil-
dren, kindergarten through 3rd grade, a spot
to study and enjoy nature. Mrs. Robert L.
Frackelton (Decca) was The GCV Chairman
of the Horticulture Committee (1978-1980).
Members, along with the Council of Gar-
den Clubs, planted flower boxes to help reju-
venate and revive interest in the older section
of the city.
Providing miniature Christmas trees to
each patient at Mary Washington Hospital
during the holiday season continued as an an-
nual project. The trees were appropriately
sized for a bedside table and cleverly deco-
rated with non-edible ornaments thereby
bringing Christmas joy to those forced to
spend the holiday in the hospital. With the
local Council of Garden Clubs, members par-
ticipated in decorating the city's historic at-
tractions with gala Christmas decorations.
During the Bicentennial year, The RVGC
invited The Garden Club of Virginia to have
its Annual Meeting at the Sheraton in May,
197 6. Guests and members have not forgot-
ten the straw bags with the needlepoint in red,
white, and blue. Also for the Bicentennial,
the club encouraged city officials to plant
Bradford pear trees downtown.
Club presidents during the 1970s were
Mrs. Josiah P. Rowe III, Mrs. Jere M. H.
Willis, Jr., Mrs.John L. Smoot, Mrs. Grellet
C. Simpson, and Mrs. F. Byrd Holloway.
1980-1990
In conjunction with a riverfront develop-
ment 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 oversee-
 The Member Clubs
ing the landscape planting. Committee mem-
bers wrote many letters to city authorities,
solicited donations from city merchants, and
saw the fruition of much hard work.
The GCV's 49th and 50th Annual Rose
Shows were sponsored by The RVGC and
held at the Sheraton. Members were rewarded
for their hard work when they glimpsed the
beautiful artistic arrangements and horticul-
ture specimens.
Thanks to the efforts of a lawyer husband,
The RVGC became incorporated. The sil-
houette of a girl with a watering can was
adopted as the official seal. The design had
been used on the cover of the club's yearbooks
in 1924 and 1974 and as The RVGC's design
on The GCV needlepoint rug.
Another project was the rejuvenation of
the garden at the Rising Sun Tavern. This
was accomplished by replacing and heighten-
ing the grape arbor, replacing the cedar rail
fence, and adding the picket fence along the
back line of the property.
During all this time, other members were
busy making flower arrangements for biannual
dinner meetings (black-tie affairs) of
Kenmore's Board of Regents, for the Fine Arts
and Flowers Show at the Virginia Museum in
Richmond, and for the three annual Flower
Shows of The GCV. The RVGC received the
first Elizabeth Gwathmey Jeffress Trophy for
the Best Inter-Club arrangement at The GCV
annual Rose Show in 1983.
Mrs. Jere M. H. Willis, Jr. (Barbara)
served as Director-at-Large of The GCV
(1985-1988) and The GCV Historian and
Custodian of Records (1988-1990). Mrs.
Josiah Pollard Rowe III (Anne) was appointed
The GCV Director of Public Relations (1988-
1990).
Continuing the club's conviction that trees
help to beautify, The RVGC participated in
Arbor Day observances. To honor the Mayor,
a tree was planted in front of his new house.
The club continued to plant dogwood trees
on Washington Avenue in front of Kenmore,
donated a pin oak to the National Park Ser-
vice to be planted in the Fredericksburg Na-
tional Cemetery, and received a certificate for
helping the Virginia Department of Forestry
161
in planting "Constitution Oaks" at the Mary
Washington Monument and at Mary Wash-
ington College. Finally, still thinking beauti-
fication, members wrote letters to city offi-
cials opposing the sale of billboard space
around entrances to the city. Thus ended a
very busy decade!
Club presidents during the 1980s were
Mrs. Douglas E. Quarles, Jr., Mrs. A. Tho-
mas Embrey, Jr., Mrs. David F. King, Mrs.
Lawrence R. Motor, and Mrs. H. McPherson
Janney, Jr.
1990-1995
It is hard to describe the delight felt in
The RVGC on hearing that it was runner-up
for the Common Wealth Award! All that
"blood, sweat and tears" spent at the
Rappahannock Regional Library came to re-
warding fruition, and the whole city could
enjoy its new look. Members also felt pride
in the fact that Mrs. George L. Beals (Anne)
and her husband were among three national
winners of an award given by the National
Endowment for soil and water conservation.
Two club members served on a commit-
tee to beautify Hurkamp Park, and members
wrote letters to the Virginia Department of
Transportation urging plantings of wild flow-
ers on Interstate 95.
Mrs. Rowe was a Director-at-Large of
The GCV (1991-1994), Mrs. Douglas E.
Quarles, Jr. (Kitty), Chairman of The GCV
Slides Committee (1990-1992), and Mrs.
David F. King (Bev), Director of Public Rela-
tions (1990-1992), Chairman of the Common
Wealth Award Committee (1992-1994) and
Director-at-Large (1995-1998). Mrs. H.
Harrison Braxton, Jr. (Gail) was Chairman of
The GCV Common Wealth Award Commit-
tee (1994-1996).
Mrs. Jere M. H. Willis, Jr. (Barbara) re-
ceived The GCVHorticultureAward of Merit
in 1994.
Mrs. Robert R. Harry (Ann) served as
chairman of the local Council of Garden
Clubs. Other members continued to cooper-
ate with the Council in the selection of schol-
arship recipients to Nature Camp and sup-
 Follow the Green Arrow
ported it financially.
Members have continued to furnish deco-
rated miniature Christmas trees to Mary
Washington Hospital patients during the holi-
days. They also participated in "Arts in
Bloom,'' a show which generated much local
interest in seeing flower arrangements inter-
preting Gari Melcher's paintings in the
Belmont Gallery. The club continues its
policy of keeping informed on state and gov-
ernment issues and of members writing let-
ters 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 Gar-
den Club was proud when the Internal Rev-
enue Service granted the club charitable sta-
tus. 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 Re-
lations (1970-1972), Parliamentarian and Edi-
tor of the Register (1972-1974), The GCV
Treasurer (1974-1978), and First Vice Presi-
dent (1978-1980). Mrs. Charles K. Woltz
(Dawn) was The GCV Flowers Show Chair-
man (1973-1974), Horticulture Chairman
(1976-1978), and a Director-at-Large (1978-
1981 ). 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 en-
croachment.
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.
162
Rivanna Garden Club shared Historic
Garden Week responsibilities with the
Albemarle Garden Club and The
Charlottesville Garden Club for the entire
week. A special University Day included the
President's House, Pavilions, Bayly Museum,
and selected students' rooms on the Lawn
decorated in floral finery.
The club continued to send memorials to
the Kent-Valentine Endowment Fund, fought
litter battles, remembered the elderly at
Christmas, helped to landscape the Martha
Jefferson Hospital, established and took care
of an Ash Lawn Garden, gave numerous herb
books to the UV& Alderman Library as a
Susan Metcalf Musselman Memorial, and
planted trees along the new Route 250 West
By-Pass.
The GCV's 35th and 36th Annual Lily
Shows were sponsored by the RGC with great
success in 1977 and 1978.
Club presidents during the 1970s were
Mrs. Myron E . Tremain, Mrs. Elmer F.
Wieboldt, Jr., Mrs. Carl McFarland, Mrs.
David V. Strider, and Mrs. Charles M.
Davison, Jr.
1980-1990
For Rivanna Garden Club 1980 was a spe-
cial 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
 The Member Clubs
for Elderly, and Comyn Hall. It also sent
campers to Nature Camp, worked with the
Albemarle and The Charlottesville Garden
clubs to man and finance an ARC Natural
History Day Camp, pooled resources of
$4,500 for a Wildlife Center van (named
ARC), and developed an environmental issues
brochure. The clubs' joint Historic Garden
Week opened for fewer days, though it netted
more than $30,000. Members delivered hos-
pital flowers on a regular basis, tested a nov-
ice gardening class, instituted a "Plant-A-
Tree" project for the downtown mall, added
subtantially to the "in house" library collec-
tion, and planted a small rose and herb gar-
den at City Hall, in memory of Captain and
Mrs. Edgar M. Williams.
The club was awarded $500 twice (as run-
ner-up for The Garden Club of Virginia Com-
mon Wealth Award) to replace trees destroyed
by a 1983 tornado at Miller School. In 1987,
the club was the recipient of the Common
Wealth Award. With the $5 ,000 award, along
with help from the club treasury and dedicated
members, more than 40 trees were planted at
the school.
Club presidents during the 1980s were
Mrs. Stanley P. Wilcox, Mrs. Richard L.
Nunley, Mrs. William S. Edwards, Mrs. Bruce
W. Nelson, and Mrs. Ernest H. Em.
1990-1995
Having come a long way since its forma-
tion on November 16, 1922, the club started
the 1990s with a full complement of accom-
plished 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 chal-
lenges 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
community and The Garden Club of Vir-
ginia." As the club's perpetual finance chair-
man, 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 Gar-
den 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 arrang-
ing. 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. With-
out missing a beat, the workshops marched
on with monthly in-club shows. The arrang-
ers walked off with 14 Tri-colors, out of the
30 GCV Flower Shows held during the de-
cade. 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 appro-
priate in 197 5 for the area's Historic Garden
Week to be held in neighboring Botetourt
 Follow the Green Arrow
County. Fincastle Presbyterian Church in the
county seat had been a GCV restoration
project in the 1940s. This year work was un-
derway at the church as part of refurbishing
various restorations for the Bicentennial Year.
Old projects, such as maintaining the
Hester Freeman Memorial Garden, sending
a child to Nature Camp, and fixing plates for
the local Veterans Hospital were continued
with monies raised by Holiday House Bazaar
in conjunction with the Roanoke Council of
Garden Clubs, and by our in-club Plant and
Pantry sale. The Course For Young Garden-
ers was begun with all proceeds going to the
Kent-Valentine House Endowment Fund.
As the decade ended, three new projects
were undertaken: long-range planning for the
Memorial Garden, beautifying an unsightly
dirt bank near the city tennis courts, and land-
scaping the grounds around the Roanoke
Transportation Museum.
Club presidents during the 1970s were
Mrs. J. Albert Ellett,
Mrs. Henry B. Quekemeyer, Mrs. H. Leland
Lawson III, Mrs. W.W. S. Butler III, and Mrs.
Hugh Fletcher, Jr.
1980-1990
When the Roanoke Museum of Fine Arts
moved from an old suburban home to its new
quarters downtown, the old home was sold and
the club had to move its beloved, long-tended
Memorial Garden to a new site. Moving
benches and urns was a straightforward action,
but moving 163 boxwood was a somewhat
daunting proposition. As the new plot at
Fairacres, the home of the Roanoke Council
of Garden Clubs, could not accommodate all
the boxwood, some were given to a local
church, some were sold to club members, and
50 were transplanted to the entrance of the
Roanoke Transportation Museum. Landscap-
ing the garden at this museum was the RVGC's
newest project, and 200 small boxwood were
planted in four circles, repeating the pattern
of the wheels of the #6ll steam engine parked
behind the garden. Red tulips, 600 of them,
were also planted: 150 in the center of each
wheel. The spring results were spectacular!
164
Marigolds, ageratum, geraniums, scarlet sage,
and chrysanthemums extended the bloom
throughout the summer and fall. Keeping
these large designs pristine and productive
required the hands, knees, and backs of almost
all club members. These efforts were re-
warded by this project's becoming a finalist for
the Common Wealth Award. The club had
just received the $500 check to build paths
throughout the garden when the Flood of '85
struck! The museum building was half sub-
merged in river water; the boxwood circles,
totally. Machines in the park, including steam
engines, were washed askew or down the river.
Only a few tips of scarlet sage could be spot-
ted bounding in the muddy waters. Subse-
quently, remaining exhibits were moved out
of the flood plain to a warehouse which re-
quired none of the proposed paths.
The Common Wealth Award was re-
turned. And, then, happy days! The Com-
mittee sent the check back to be used in es-
tablishing gardens in planters at the museum's
new site. Again, members moved boxwood
salvaged from the flood and thereby proved
the durability of the plants and of the club's
members.
For the first time, the two Roanoke clubs
produced Historic Garden Week in another
city, Blacksburg, 50 miles away. All went well,
but the coming and going was incessant and
taxing on the clubs' membership.
Roanoke Valley held The GCV's Annual
Meeting at the Hotel Roanoke, just before its
doors were closed for what was feared, at the
time, forever. Mrs.James C. Lester, the club's
leading flower arranger, won the coveted
Massie Medal for sharing her time and exper-
tise with GCV clubs all over the Common-
wealth. She opened her garage and grounds
for the club's annual series of flower-arrang-
ing workshops. Graduates of this program
received diplomas from THE DRIVEWAY
SCHOOL OF DESIGN. They also received
eight more Tri-colors and 26 more silver cups
from The GCV Flower Shows.
Members serving as club presidents dur-
ing the 1980s were Mrs.Jam es C. Lester, Mrs.
Joseph P. Lawson, Mrs. Barton W. Morris,Jr.,
Mrs. Hugh]. Hagan, Jr., and Mrs.Joseph W.
 The Member Clubs
Hazlegrove.
1990-1995
Over the years, the Roanoke Valley Gar-
den Club's affiliation with the Roanoke Coun-
cil of Garden Clubs, composed of 25 garden
clubs and plant societies, strengthened. Work-
ing with other clubs became a large part of
the RVGC's activities. Slides of The GCV
restorations were shown at the Virginia Fed-
eration 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 Rich-
mond. 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 en-
thusiastic 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 occa-
sions, much like the Kent-Valentine House.
As the Roanoke Transportation Museum
is now the Transportation Museum of Vir-
ginia, projected plans entail enlargement of
its quarters, requiring the relocation and ex-
pansion 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 gar-
dens, we could now have a large celebratory
function, serving refreshments in almost 100
of The GCV silver cups, 26 of which were
165
won for the Tri-color. Not bad for a twenty-
three-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.
THE SPOTSWOOD GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
In the 1970s The Spotswood Garden
Club could very well have added a new honor-
ary member to its roster, Mother Nature! She
showed up in full regalia for all of our state
functions. First she blew through the 1971
Lily Show as Hurricane Camille, scattering
stigmas and stamens at will. Next she flooded
the city in 1972 forcing the cancellation of
both horticultural and artistic Lily Show en-
tries. Then, satisfied that she had made a last-
ing impressiori, she retired until October 10,
1979, The Garden Club of Vlrginia Board of
Governors' Meeting. At that time she dumped
10 inches of snow on the Valley's brilliant fall
foliage and stranded The GCV Officers and
club presidents at the Sheraton Hotel while
club members wheeled around the city carting
food and flowers to our guests.
The club continued its aggressive pro-
gram of city beautification funded by the pro-
ceeds of its Arbor Day Tree sales. In addition
to planting trees in the median strips of
Harrisonburg's streets, the club landscaped the
new Police Headquarters and parking lots,
purchased Myers Yews to fill 3 5 redwood
planters placed in the downtown area, and
planted the hospital boxes and patio.
Then, in 1973, as an expression of its
gratitude for the excellent support of past club
projects, the club held a flower show to which
the community was invited.
Miss Martha Sieg completed the club's
 Follow the Green Arrow
square for The GCV rug in 197 6. In 1977
Mrs. Gordon Brown (Georgia) received the
deLacy Gray Medal for "outstanding efforts
in furthering the knowledge of our natural
resources, and encouraging their wise use."
Club presidents during the 1970s were
Mrs. Charles 0. Strickler, Mrs.James R. Sipe,
Mrs. Robert W. Preston, Mrs. Kimberly
Brabson, and Mrs. 0. Walton Wine, Jr.
1980-1990
The club expanded its focus in this de-
cade by adding the restoration project of the
Daniel Harrison House in Dayton. An his-
toric preservation site which served as a shel-
tering 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 beautifica-
tion, 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
Harrisonburg, a civic organization which was
initiated by individual club members. Aimed
at city beautification, this group planted hun-
dreds of bulbs, trees, and shrubs both down-
town and along entry corridors into the city.
It also sponsored horticulture lectures for the
general public.
In 1991, Mrs. Carlson F. Booth (Barbara)
received The GCV Horticulture Award of
Merit.
In 1992 and 1993, the club sponsored The
GCV Daffodil Show, and this time Mother
Nature could not have been lovelier. She came
with a warm smile and in 1992 blessed the first
American Daffodil Society sanctioned show
of The Garden Club of Virginia. The
Spotswood Garden Club won the Best Inter-
Club Arrangement Award at the Daffodil
Show in 1992.
Mrs. John R. Eagle (Sandra) was ap-
pointed The GCV Flower Shows Chairman
(1994-1996).
Mrs. Dan C. Stickley Oulie) received The
GCV Horticulture Award of Merit in 1994.
Club presidents during the early 1990s
were Mrs. Jam es H. Wheatley, Mrs. Walter
M. Zirkle, Jr., and Mrs. A. Wesley Graves VI.
THREE CHOPT GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
In 1971, the Three Chopt Garden Club
members began having "attic" sales at the
Tuckahoe Masonic Temple to raise money to
pay for the landscaping and planting of four
community gardens. The first was for a "side-
walk garden" along two blocks of Grove Av-
enue. Round cement urns were put in place
in front of the stores. The ladies were busy
planting flowers in the urns when the police
arrived and told them to move the urns be-
cause they were on city property. The city
did not want to be sued when people tripped
over the lovely urns, a likely event since there
was a popular late-night tavern at one corner.
The planters were repositioned nearer the
stores and were planted with red geraniums
and white petunias. All shop owners were
 The Member Clubs
given green watering cans and a pink broom
to keep their plants watered and their area tidy.
A few years later, brick planters were built to
replace the cement ones. They added greatly
to the beauty of Westhampton Village.
Three years later, the club donated money
to design a garden behind the main building
of the Richmond Public Library in downtown
Richmond. The money helped to provide a
fountain, benches, and plants. This garden
attracted people of all ages who wished to read
a book, eat lunch, or enjoy a quiet rest.
For its Bicentennial project, the club gave
many large boxwood which were planted along
the walkway leading to the front door of St.
John's Episcopal Church in Church Hill. In
addition, members helped with the restora-
tion of the grounds at nearby St. Patrick's
School.
A highlight of 1976 was the placement of
the needlepoint rug at the Kent-Valentine
House. Mrs. Richmond Gray (Mary) was a
co-originator of the idea and supervised the
making of each square by the 45 member
clubs. The squares were sewn together, and
the rug became a beautiful pictorial depiction
of Virginia. It is perhaps the greatest treasure
in the house.
By 1978, the club's backyard sale had pro-
duced a net of $10,000 in eight years. Upon
hearing this good news, the members decided
it was a perfect time to end this exhausting
and less-and-less remunerative project and to
move on to something else.
The club had as its able club presidents
during this decade Mrs. Richmond Gray, Mrs.
Robert Brydon ill, Mrs. W Holt Souder, Mrs.
Waller H. Horsley, Mrs. H. Waldo Foster, Jr.,
and Mrs.Jam es Asa Shield.
1980-1990
Under the leadership of the project chair-
man, 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 ur-
ban garden with the help of club members.
As a result, Mrs. Shield won the Distinguished
167
Volunteer Award from the Boys Club of
America. This project was taken over by the
Extension Service a few years later.
This and other projects were financed by
the club's new fund-raiser, a spring plant sale.
Perennials were sold at a two-day event open
to the public. The sale was repeated success-
fully for several years. Other sources of money
included an ongoing cocktail napkin sale or-
ganized by Mrs. P. B. Eggleston ill Gudy).
The napkins were designed by Mrs. E. Otto
N. Williams,Jr. (Vann).
Mrs. William Brooke Power (Leslie) won
the Tri-Blue Inter-Club arrangement award
at The GCV Daffodil Show in 1985.
Mrs. Horace H. Harrison (Sally) was
Chairman of Historic Garden Week in 1980
and 1981, and Mrs. Arthur S. Brinkley, Jr.
Gody), in 1988 and 1989. Mrs. Power was
appointed Flower Shows Chairman for 1988
and 1989.
The Annual Meeting of The Garden Club
ofVirginia was held in Richmond in 1987.
Club presidents during the 1980s were
Mrs. James Asa Shield, Jr., Mrs. Arthur S
Brinkley, Jr., Mrs. William T. Tucker, Mrs.
William Brooke Power, Mrs.John P.Josephs,
and Mrs. Leonor F. Loree III.
1990-1995
The club seemed to start a new fund-rais-
ing project every decade. The newest was
"Deck the Halls." Raffle tickets were sold in
the community, and the winner had her house
decorated for Christmas. This of course was
a great hit and very successful. The club raised
~5 ,000 for the "new" Grove Avenue landscap-
mg.
Three Chopt Garden Club was an enthu-
siastic supporter of the Lewis Ginter Botani-
cal Garden. Money was given by the club to
the Flagler Foundation Matching Grant.
"Deck the Halls" money was also donated
to landscape two new houses built in Rich-
mond for AIDS patients. Club members, with
the help of husbands and children, bought,
planted and mulched over 40 trees and shrubs.
This was definitely a hands-on weekend.
 Follow the Grero Arrow
Mrs. Brinkley was elected a GCV Direc-
tor-at-Large (1991-1994).
Through the years, the club has under-
taken many projects for the improvement of
the city and state. It is proud of its accom-
plishments during its 55-year history.
Club presidents during the early 1990s
were Mrs. Leonor F. Loree III, Mrs. William
V. Daniel, and Mrs. John H. Wick III.
TUCKAHOE GARDEN CLUB
OF WESTHAMPTON
1970-1980
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 arrang-
ing course to raise money and to educate mem-
bers as well as many non-members in the art
of arranging. The members who conducted
these workshops did extremely well in impart-
ing 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 Auc-
tion and Workshop. Over the years, this auc-
tion has provided a continuing source of in-
come as well as Christmas cheer!
Obviously, these projects did not keep the
Tuckahoe Garden Club ladies, an indefati-
gable 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 recog-
nition for their achievements during the 70s.
168
Mrs. Towers won the coveted Harris Cup at
the Rose Show for the second time. Miss
Jane Saunders won a Horticulture Award of
Merit (1975). Mrs. Thomas W Murrell, Jr.
CJane) served as President ofThe Garden Club
of Virginia from 1978-1980.
Seven presidents gave able and inspired
leadership during these 10 years. They were
Mmes. H. Merrill Pasco (Canny), Parke F.
Smith (Alice), William M. Hill ((Ruth), John
W Riely (Jean Roy), Williams E. Pembleton
(Ella; Benjamin A. Bosher),John D. Blackwell
(Doris), and Christopher R. Tompkins (Mary
Leavell).
1980-1990
The 1980s arrived, as the years tend to
do, and the Tuckahoe Garden Club embarked
on several major fund raising events. A new,
bigger, and better Gardening Guide was cre-
ated. It was compiled by Mrs. Oppenhimer,
Mrs. Towers, and Mrs. Joseph Stettinius
(Carolyn). It is still being marketed today and
contains invaluable information pertaining to
all aspects of gardening.
In 1982, the club sponsored a demonstra-
tion and workshop by the well-known English
gardener, Sheila Macqueen, at the Science
Museum. It was a huge success. The other
major fund raiser in this decade was a talk by
Martha Stewart, author, gardener, and expert
on entertaining. A small note should be in-
serted here in these annals. Martha Stewart
got on the WRONG plane leaving New York
and was late arriving for her talk. Mrs.
Leighton Huske III (Anne Rawles), club presi-
dent, recovered her equanimity after many
anxious minutes!
The Tuckahoe Garden Club also contrib-
uted to the restoration of the gardens at The
Museum and White House of The Confed-
eracy, the Children's Hospital Memorial Gar-
den, and the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.
Members helped with the landscaping at the
Science Museum ofVirginia, sponsored a child
at Nature Camp, and participated in the
Maymont Garden Market by selling plants.
When the Maymont Garden Market was en-
larged and became the Maymont Flower and
 The Member Clubs
Garden Show, the club again participated by
selling its highly coveted Gardening Guide.
In 1983, with Mrs. Rufus G. Roberts, Jr.
Oeanne), as chairman, the Tuckahoe Garden
Club sponsored the Rose Show for the sec-
ond successive year. In the 1980s, the provi-
sional category was discontinued, and the
provisionals were incorporated into the active
membership. However, the membership cat-
egory was divided into under- and over-40 age
groups in order to help keep our club young.
Many of our members won special awards
and ribbons in both artistic and horticultural
divisions at the annual Rose, Daffodil, and Lily
Shows. Mrs. Delman H. Eure (Dabney) won
the prestigious Harris Cup which had not been
awarded in five years. In 1984, the Massie
Medal was awarded posthumously to Mrs.
Thomas W Murrell, Jr. Oane), and, in 1985,
the Massie Medal was again awarded to a club
member, Mrs.John Robert Massie, Jr. (Char-
lotte).
Mrs. Parke F. Smith was Chairman of
Historic Garden Week in 1984-1985. Mrs.
Herbert W Jackson III (Betsy; Mrs. Jack M.
Parrish, Jr.) was The GCV Treasurer for two
terms (1986-1988, 1988-1990).
Mesdames Joseph Stettinius (Carolyn),
Hudnall Ware III (Pam), Claude R. Daven-
port,Jr. (Mary Meade), Delman Hodges Eure
(Dabney), and Leighton Huske III (Anne
Rawles) served as club presidents during this
decade.
1990-1995
The Tuckahoe Garden Club has been
planning for the future. One of its main fo-
cuses has been conservation. The club is in
step with the times. Mrs. John Peyton
McGuire Boyd (Hylah) spearheaded this ef-
fort. She had served as chairman of the Con-
servation Forum and has been instrumental
in getting the compost exhibit at the Lewis
Ginter Botanical Garden off the ground. This
project was a finalist for the Common Wealth
Award. Another project has been restoring
the gardens at Richmond Hill, a nondenomi-
national retreat open to the public for medi-
tation and conferences. The Tuckahoe Gar-
169
den Club also allocated money to the Science
Museum's proposed educational park.
A major fund raising event in the fall of
1994 was the demonstration and workshop
by Sheila Macqueen, renowned English gar-
dener. Some of the money raised from this
event went toward the club's pledge for the
new addition to the Kent-Valentine House.
Mrs. Oppenhimer was Chairman of His-
toric Garden Week (1992-1993). She was one
of The Garden Club of Virginia's representa-
tives on the floor of the Capitol when the Leg-
islature adopted a resolution honoring the
60th anniversary of Historic Garden Week.
During the 90s, the club continued to
have the Christmas Auction and to sell the
Gardening Guide. It also participated in the
Maymont Flower Show, the Virginia
Museum's Fine Arts and Flowers Show, His-
toric Garden Week, and in any endeavors
which furthered the goals of The Garden Club
of Virginia and the Tuckahoe Garden Club of
Westhampton.
With five years left until 2000, the Tuc-
kahoe Garden Club will certainly continue the
precedent set in this century and promote it
into the next century. Members will be wher-
ever a tree needs to be planted, an endangered
species saved, a garden restored, or the public
informed on an environmental issue.
The presidents of the club who have
steered the course for the 90s were the Mes-
dames Charles H . Frischkorn Jr. (Charlotte),
W Thomas Cunningham,Jr. (Ruth), and Mrs.
John Peyton McGuire Boyd (Hylah).
THE VIRGINIA BEACH
GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
In 1970 the HANDS award was given to
The Virginia Beach Garden Club for its suc-
cessful Anti-Litter Campaign spearheaded by
Jane Tucker (Mrs. Lawrence Tucker). The
members purchased and decorated 41 trash
cans which were placed in the shopping sec-
tion of the resort area. The club also per-
suaded 13 6 children to clean the street and
 Follow the Green Arrow
beach and provided a huge, white paper-mache
rabbit, "Harvey the Good Habit Rabbit," who
rode on the float that led the parade. The
determination to clean up and beautify the
beach community became a driving force in
the 70s, because litter was such a constant
problem.
An exciting new project was proposed by
Dale Henderson (Mrs. Thom W. Henderson,
Jr.) and Florence Turner (Mrs. F. Kimberly
Tucker) in 1971. Upper Wolfsnare, built in
1759 by Thomas Walke, was deeded to the
Princess Anne Historical Society, and resto-
ration was underway. The landscaping around
this 18th-century house was accepted as a con-
tinuing project of The Virginia Beach Gar-
den Club, and 565 trees and 17 5 shrubs were
planted. Rudy Favretti provided plans for an
authentic vegetable and herb garden of that
period. In 1974 the house and grounds were
placed on the National Register of Historic
Places.
In 1971 the ecologists in the club, led by
Anne Beasley Fogler (Mrs. Mayor Farthing
Fogler), were successful in saving the two larg-
est sand dunes on the East Coast, located in
Seashore St.ate Park, from being used for the
construction of a public school. The mari-
time oaks were saved also. As a result, Anne
received The Garden Club of Virginia deLacy
Gray Medal for Conservation in 1974.
Members were actively engaged in civic
projects pertaining to the preservation of Sea-
shore State Park, thereby safeguarding the
wildlife in the area north of Virginia Beach.
They also acted to prevent billboards on the
Norfolk-Virginia Beach Expressway and other
highways entering the city.
Landscaping was the next venture, and
planting trees for shade and beauty became a
must. A rose garden and trees were planted
at the Virginia Beach Hospit.al. A fragrant gar-
den was planted for the blind at Red Wing
Park by The Junior Virginia Beach Garden
Club which The Virginia Beach Garden Club
had organized in 19 51. The plantings featured
the members' favorite shrub, crape myrtle.
The planting of the crape myrtles for the
Virginia Beautification Commission (which
was founded by Jane Tucker and Charlotte
170
Tilbrook [Mrs. Gilmore Lee Tilbrook]), was
completed in 1972. In 1975 landscaping and
planting around the Bicentennial Commission
Building was completed.
In 197 5 Alice Walter (Mrs. Maurice
Walter), a member and noted conservation-
ist, almost single-handedly led a move to save
the Old Coast Guard St.ation on 24th Street
from demolition. It was part of a chain of sea
rescue stations extending down the coast of
Virginia and North Carolina at the turn of the
century and was one of two still remaining.
The project succeeded after four years of dedi-
cated work by Alice.
The Virginia Beach Garden Club had
become a member club of The Garden Club
ofVrrginia in 1953, and in 1977 the club spon-
sored the Annual Meeting of The GCV. In
1978 the club initiated a regional conserva-
tion meeting in the area.
Mrs. Mayor F. Fogler (Anne) served as
Chairman of The Garden Club of Virginia
Conservation and Beautification Committee
(1970-1972) and as Chairman of the Admis-
sions Committee (1974-1976). Mrs. W.
Wright Harrison (fanet) was a Director-at-
Large of The GCV (1974-1977).
Club presidents during the 1970s were
Mrs. George G. Phillips (Thelma), Mrs.
Harold Page Smith (Dee), Mrs. Richard F.
Welton III (Betty), Mrs. John T. Goode III
(f uliet), and Mrs. Hugh S. Meredith (Gwen).
1980-1990
In the early 80s The Virginia Beach Gar-
den Club saved the 1732 Francis Land House
and 35 acres from development by persuad-
ing 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
 The Member Clubs

Preservation.
In 1982 Jean Marie Randolph (Mrs.
Alfred M. Randolph) and Ganelle Smith (Mrs.
Lawrence Smith) started the Annual Pansy
Sale. In 1983 Charlotte Dashiell (Mrs. Ed-
ward L. Dashiell) coordinated the first year
of the Coastal Ecology Camp in Sea Shore
State Park and False Cape for students in the
4th and 5th grades. The club continued to
send two students to Nature Camp which is
located near Vesuvius in the Shenandoah Val-
ley.
In 1984 The Vrrginia Beach Garden Club
presented the city with a flag pole and base
plantings when the Virginia Beach Garden
Park was dedicated on Baltic Avenue. Annalee
Thatcher (Mrs. Joseph 0. M. Thatcher)
turned out the first copy of"Ground Cover,"
the monthly news sheet which everyone looks
forward to receiving. A deep well and auto-
matic sprinkler system were installed at Up-
per Wolfsnare, and live oak trees and crape
myrtles were planted in accordance with Rudy
Favretti's plans. Jane Tucker was presented
the Mayor's Outstanding Citizen Award, the
highest award for sustained involvement in The Marsh Walk and Flower Garden at the Vir-
conservation and beautification. · ginia Marine Science Museum.
Concern for the ailing Chesapeake Bay
led to an additional symposium with The Patterson (Mrs. Hugh L. Patterson) told the
Elizabeth River Garden Club of Portsmouth. club they would try to raise $50,000 to fund
Charlotte Dashiell and the Conservation the Marsh Walk at The Virginia Marine Sci-
Committee invited 11 other garden clubs. ence Museum. The Virginia Beach Garden
The Committee implemented an eastern re- Club and The Junior Virginia Beach Garden
gion proposal for the preservation of the Club, which had helped over the years with
Chesapeake Bay which was adopted by The Historic Garden Week and other projects,
Garden Club of America and The Garden each contributed $12,500. At the suggestion
Club of Virginia. Eventually 44 garden clubs of Charlotte Dashiell, the club applied for and
in six states joined together in the campaign was awarded a $25,000 matching grant from
to Save the Bay which was due largely to the The Virginia Environmental Endowment.
hard work and determination of Charlotte Handsome permanent legends were installed
Dashiell. She compiled a synopsis ofBay leg- along the Marsh Walk labeling flora and fauna
islation and was responsible for the quick pas- found nearby.
sage in Congress of numerous pieces of legis- In 1987 the flower show committee
lation including two key provisions of the 1985 headed by Nancy Thornton (Mrs. Daniel M.
Farm Bill. In 1986 Charlotte was awarded the Thornton,Jr.) staged a flower show, "Enchant-
Garden Club of America's very prestigious ment of the Bay," which was open to the pub-
Conservation Award. lic and won the prestigious Garden Club of
In the mid-eighties Lee Moomaw (Mrs. America Small Flower Show Award. A Wild-
W. Hugh Moomaw), Anne Gilliam (Mrs. flower Symposium at the Virginia Marine Sci-
William L. Gilliam, Jr.), and Douglass ence Museum was opened in 1988 by Mrs.
171
 Follow the Green Arrow
Charles Robb, wife of the U. S. Senator, and
Mrs. James Godwin, Past President of The
Garden Club ofVirginia. In 1989, plans were
made for a Native Plant Garden near the
Marsh Walk. The garden was planted and is
maintained by club members. Also, in 1989,
the club proposed The Virginia Beach City
Council for The Garden Club of Virginia's
Dugdale Award for Meritorious Achievement
in the Field of Conservation, and the Council
received it. The club also contributed to the
landscaping of the new Virginia Beach Cen-
ter for the Arts, and with the Garden Club of
Norfolk, it sponsored the first Tidewater
Horticultural Symposium for the public which
was well attended and given rave reviews.
Adele McMahon (Mrs . Bernard G .
McMahon)'s beautiful paintings of all The
Garden Club of Virginia Restorations to date
were given to the Kent-Valentine House.
During the 1980s many positions were
held by club members in The Garden Club of
Virginia. Douglass Patterson was The GCV
Chairman of Annual and Board of Governors'
Meetings (1980-1982) and Corresponding
Secretary (1982-1984); Charlotte Dashiell was
Chairman of the Conservation Committee
(1982-1984); Anne Gilliam, Chairman of the
Restoration Committee (1982-1984), First
Vice President (1984-1986), Chairman of the
Common Wealth Award Committee (1986-
1988), and Chairman of the Massie Medal
Committee (1988-1990); Evie Holt (Mrs.
Saxon W. Holt), Lily Test Chairman (1984-
1986).
Club presidents during the 1980s were
Mrs. Bernard G. McMahon (Adele), Mrs. K.
K. Wallace (Pat), Mrs. P. Porcher Gregg
(Connie), Mrs. E. Carruthers Bruce (BettyJo),
and Mrs. Corydon M. Baylor, Jr. (Sandra).
1990-1995
In the Fall of 1990 The Virginia Beach
Garden Club won The Garden Club of
Virginia's coveted Common Wealth Award for
the "Wildflowers by the Sea" Native Plant
Garden at the Virginia Marine Science Mu-
seum . Lee Moomaw and Margaret
Whitehurst (Mrs. W. Lee Whitehurst, Jr.)
172
were largely responsible, and Lee received
The Garden Club of Virginia Horticulture
Award of Merit as a result of her work on this
endeavor.
The Virginia Beach Garden Club spon-
sored the Annual Meeting of The GCV in
1991with143 members attending. A flower
show, "Autumn at the Chrysler," sponsored
by the club, The Garden Club of Norfolk, and
the Chrysler Museum Flower Guild, took
place in September 1991.
In 1993, the club gave $6,500.00 for the
signage on the deck overlooking its Native
Plant Garden. In 1994, The Virginia Beach
Garden Club gave $10,000.00 toward a
$25,000.00 commitment to fund half of"Dis-
cover Owl's Creek Deck and Educational
Area" at the Virginia Marine Science Museum.
The Virginia Environmental Endowment
gave the VMSM another $25,000.00 to com-
plete the club's project, thanks to the efforts
of Lee Moomaw. Since 1986 the club has been
responsible for $75,000.00 being awarded to
the Virginia Marine Science Museum in
grants, and the members have raised another
$50,000.00 (including a $10,000 club pledge
soon to be paid) fora total ofover $125,000.00!
In 1994, The Virginia Beach Garden Club
Conservation Chairman Betsy Agelasto (Mrs.
Peter A. Agelasto III) and The Garden Club
of Virginia Conservation Committee member,
JudyTerjen (Mrs. Henry A. Terjen,Jr.), orga-
nized and presented a Bayscapes Workshop
which introduced environmentally sound
landscape practices to Tidewater. Working
with Billy Mills of the Alliance for the Chesa-
peake Bay, the Department of Planning for
the City of Virginia Beach, and the Hampton
Roads Planning District Commission, the club
sponsored a morning of speakers and an af-
ternoon of field trips, including a boat trip and
lunch on Linkhorn Bay.
In late fall 199 5, the Club planted a live
oak tree at the Virginia Marine Science Mu-
seum in the Coastal Woodland Retreat area
to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of The Gar-
den Club of Virginia.
There have been seven annual Tidewater
Horticultural Symposia sponsored by The
Virginia Beach Garden Club and The Gar-
 The Member Clubs
den Club of Norfolk to educate the public.
Since 1970, over $200,000 had been raised
by Historic Garden Week. Articles were pub-
lished in The Garden Club ofVrrginiaJOUR-
NAL by members, and the club continued its
membership in the Council of Garden Clubs
which The Virginia Beach Garden Club or-
ganized in 1940.
The Pansy Sale which was begun in 1982
evolved into the Fall Flower Festival and be-
came the club's one and only fund raiser. From
a few hundred dollars profit in the early years
the net profit in 1995 exceeded $13,000.
The next 2 5 years can bring only more
challenges and accomplishments to the 61 ac-
tive, 21 associate, and 10 honorary members.
In The Garden Club of Virginia, Betty
Jo Bruce (Mrs. E. Carruthers Bruce) served
as Chairman of the Slides Committee (1994-
1996).
Club presidents during the early 1990s
were Mrs. William C. Overman (Anne), Mrs.
Fred Bingham Gentry, Jr. (Susan), and Mrs.
C. Stribling Snodgrass, Jr. (Eleanor).
TIIE GARDEN CLUB
OF WARREN COUNTY
1970-1980
During this decade, The Garden Club of
Warren County continued to emphasize beau-
tification, conservation, restoration, preserva-
tion, and horticulture.
Trees were planted on the grounds of
Warren Memorial Hospital and at Warren
County Intermediate School. The club also
planted memorial trees in the Samuels Library
Garden and at the Front Royal Botanical Gar-
den. Members continued to maintain three
test gardens.
The club followed an architect's drawing
for developing a city park, known as Bowman
Park. The plantings included many trees
(mostly dogwood), some flowering shrubs,
annuals, perennials, and thousands of bulbs of
many varieties.
For eight years of this decade, the club
173
paid the expenses for a worthy student from
the local high school to attend Nature Camp.
For the second successive year, The Gar-
den Club of Virginia Lily Show was sponsored
by The Garden Club of Warren County in
June, 1970.
Mrs. Claude B. Harris (Gladys) was
awarded the deLacy Gray
Memorial Medal in 1971 for outstanding
achievement in conservation. Mrs. Richard
R. Almy (Fran) received the Presidents of
Member Clubs Cup in 197 5. In the same year,
Mrs. Percy Rogers (Mortie) was awarded the
Eleanor Truax Harris Cup and, in 1976, was
the recipient of the Presidents of Member
Clubs Cup. Mrs. Robert H. Payne (Peggy)
received The GCV Horticulture Award of
Merit in 1976, and, in 1979, Mrs. Almy was
also a recipient of this honor. The Lily Test
Chairman Silver Cup was presented to Mrs.
Almy in 1978 and to Mrs. Hugh McCormick
(Virginia) in 1979.
The annual local Historic Garden Week
tours were the club's major contribution to
restoration and preservation. It contributed
also to the Kent-Valentine House Endowment
Fund.
One of the club's most successful fund
raising projects was the annual Round Robin
Bridge Tournament.
The 50th anniversary celebration of The
Garden Club of Warren County began on
June 14, 1979, at the club's regular monthly
meeting with a few frills appropriate to a half-
century existence. Members indulged in nos-
talgia as the birthday cake was cut, and pride
was felt as some references were made to the
evidence of the club's efforts during the 50
years in conservation, beautification, restora-
tion, and preservation both locally and
through participation in annual Historic Gar-
den Week tours.
Mrs. E.J. Kerfoot (Gail), through exten-
sive research, wrote a series of articles delin-
eating the club's history from its beginning in
June 1929 to its 50th birthday. These articles
appeared (one each week for six weeks) in the
local newspaper, The Warren Sentinel. The
theme for the club's annual flower show in
October 1979 was "Fifty Years, One at a time,"
 Follow the Green Arrow
which evoked many unusual and timely artis-
tic creations. Artistic classes were: "We Or-
ganized" (an arrangement for a dining room
table circa 1929), "We Grew and Grew" (a
design of fresh-cut plant material using val-
ues of green), "We Worked and Worked" (an
arrangement of autumn flowers suitable for
the hallway of a restored home), "We Saved
and Saved" (an arrangement of dried flowers,
pods, foliage, seed heads, and stems), and "Also
We Played and Played" (a free-standing de-
sign from the floor with minimum height of
48 inches and no restrictions).
Club presidents during the 1970s were
Mrs. Milton A.Joyce, Mrs. E. J. Kerfoot, Mrs.
Robert E. L. Miller, Jr., Mrs. Isaac M. Zigler,
Mrs. Douglas T. Smith, and Mrs. C. Courtney
Carbaugh.
1980-1990
The highlight of The Garden Club of
Warren County in the early 1980s was enter-
taining The Garden Club of Virginia Board
of Governors' Meeting in Front Royal in Oc-
tober 1981. Getting acquainted with the la-
dies of The GCV was a joy to each member,
and seeing The Club in action was most in-
teresting and enlightening. Members wined
and dined their guests at a welcoming cock-
tail 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 main-
taining Front Royal's Bowman Park which has,
among other plantings, 1248 assorted bulbs.
A large cash donation was made toward land-
scaping at the new Samuels Public Library,
and, in addition to this donation, the club
planted trees on the library grounds as me-
morials to former members.
At the 63rd Annual Meeting of The Gar-
den Club of Virginia, Mrs. Zigler received the
Horticulture Award of Merit for the year
1982-1983. Mrs. Courtney Carbaugh (Vir-
ginia) was selected to serve as Chairman of
The GCV Massie Medal Committee for the
years 1982-1984.
174
In 1984, the club entered the Front Royal-
Warren 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 landscap-
ing of both, and Mrs. Zigler presented 150
boxwood as a memorial to her husband.
The more exciting highlights of 1986 in-
cluded 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 spe-
cial honor of the club's receiving the Com-
mon 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 won-
derful 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 de-
ceased members and for the Downtown Rede-
velopment 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 pub-
lic 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 ex-
tensive gardens. Luncheon was served in the
Palladian Tea House.
Mrs. William C. Trenary III (Melba)
served as The Garden Club of Virginia His-
torian 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
 The Member Clubs
beautifully decorated for candlelight tours in
December.
For her good work in the field of horti-
culture, Mrs. Ira B. Richards (Ellen) was pre-
sented a Horticulture Award of Merit from
The Garden Club of Virginia in 1989.
The 60th Anniversary of The Garden
Club of Warren County was celebrated in
1989. The club was honored to sponsor The
GCV 4 7th annual Lily Show. The title of the
show was "Dances of the Decades 1929-1989."
The club was delighted to receive a white rib-
bon for its Inter-Club entry with the theme
"The Anniversary Waltz." The 1989 Lily
Show will be long remembered for the spec-
tacular fireworks which nature provided. A
thunderstorm developed which caused light
bulbs to explode in the Randolph-Macon
Academy Gymnasium shortly before the pre-
sentation of awards. No one was injured, but
all hoped the remaining lights would come on
again. Eventually they did. One exhibitor
found that her car windows had imploded.
The four garden clubs of Warren County,
including The Garden Club of Warren
County, worked together to landscape the
Front Royal-Warren County Senior Center.
Mrs. Robert R. Long (Anne) represented The
Garden Club of Warren County.
The club continued to take care of Bow-
man Park with the help of the town mainte-
nance crew. Members weeded and planted
bulbs and trees, of course!
Club presidents during the 1980s were
Mrs. C. Courtney Carbaugh for two terms,
Mrs. Ben R. Lacy ill, Mrs. William C. Trenary
III, Mrs. Hugh D. McCormick, and Mrs.
William A. Hall.
1990-1995
The Garden Club of Warren County con-
tinued to be a dynamic, productive group. In
1990, the club sponsored The Garden Club
of Virginia's 48th annual Lily Show for the
second consecutive year. Held at Randolph-
Macon Academy, the show's title was "Yard
Goods." The club was awarded a red ribbon
for its entry in the Inter-Club Class, "Bro-
cade."
175
Mrs. Percy L. Rogers (Mortie) was pre-
sented a silver cup for 50 years of active ser-
vice (1941-1991). She is now an honorary
member. Mrs. I. Otis Kibler (Emily) was also
the recipient of a silver cup for 50 years of
active service (1935-1985). She was an hon-
orary member until her death in 1991. The
award was presented to her daughter, Mrs. S.
Francis McFall, at the May meeting in 1991.
Community projects by The Garden
Club of Warren County included a contribu-
tion to the landscaping of the Senior Center in
Front Royal. The club was also responsible for
landscaping and planting the front lawn of the
sheriff's department in Front Royal.
The club continued to take an active part
in the Adopt-A-Highway Program and was the
recipient of the second place award from the
Anti-Litter Council for its effort in the cam-
paign against litter.
Another civic project was the planting of
wildflowers at local schools and sponsoring
wildlife programs. Members continued to
monitor the gardens at Belle Boyd Cottage.
The club was instrumental in developing
the Beautification of Front Royal Committee
and worked in cooperation with this organi-
zation to help with the improvement and beau-
tification of community property. The present
goal is to facilitate the implementation of the
Route 340/522 corridor landscape plan devel-
oped by the University of Virginia. This tree-
planting project would maximize the beauty
of Front Royal and not only improve air and
water quality but also reduce noise and tem-
peratures in this area. The Beautification
Committee, chaired by Mrs.John C. LaBarca
(Louise), submitted a proposal to The Gar-
den Club of Virginia that this project be con-
sidered for the Common Wealth Award.
Club presidents during the early 1990s
were Mrs. Earl K. McCall, Mrs.John A. Wil-
son, and Mrs. Norman H. Upchurch.
THE WARRENTON GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
This was the decade of beautification in
 Follow the Green Arrow
celebration of the nation's Bicentennial of
1976. Mrs. Russell Arundel (Marjorie)
planned and planted the highway approaches
to Warrenton. Members worked on the club's
contribution of a square, "Spirit of '76," for
the rug at the Kent-Valentine House. Funds
for these projects were raised by selling a post-
card featuring an endangered Partridge Berry
drawn by Hildy van Roijen. Hospital Hill was
beautified with daylilies and the Court House
Square with three six-foot concrete curbside
planters. Two of these were mowed down by
errant drivers.
The club sent local teachers to Audubon
Camp and gave 600 daffodil bulbs to be
planted by local schools. Members picked up
roadside litter, an effort which made Mrs. J.
H. Tyler Wilson (Bambe) richer when she
found $1 O! Mrs. Wilson was The GCV Chair-
man of the Annual and Board of Governors'
Meetings (1970-1972). The deLacy Gray
Memorial Medal was presented to Mrs. S.
Prentice Porter (Hope) in 1978 for her lead-
ership in advocating the billboard ordinance
and the anti-litter campaigns in an effort to
"Keep Fauquier Beautiful."
The club was charmed by an anecdote
concerning Mrs. Cornelius Jadwin's (Peg)
grandfather, Major Robert Peabody Barry,
who bought the farm, Dunnottar, near
Warrenton in 1876. The giant tea rose was
planted there some years later. Mrs. J adwin
wrote, "When another house had to be built
after 1899 the bush was moved to the new
garden, where the Barrys sat in fine weather.
It was here that my mother scolded me for
picking a bloom by its head, but my grandfa-
ther replied that there was no better use for a
rose than to be loved by a small child. Five
generations have lived on the farm, and we
still cherish the same bush."
The club protested in vain the removal of
ancient trees gracing town sidewalks. The
town merchants, having seen what improve-
ment the flower boxes and barrels made on
Main Street when overflowing with petunias,
geraniums, and periwinkle planted by the club,
decided to plant their own.
To help preserve the beauty and nature
of the Rappahannock River, members opposed
176
the Salem Dam project.
The last surviving founding member of
The GCV, Mrs. Samuel Appleton (Mary), died
in 1973. In her memory, the Mary P. A.
Appleton Award "To stimulate knowledge of,
and continuing interest in, horticulture," was
established. How pleased she would be with
the projects undertaken to win her award!
Club presidents during the 1970s were
Mrs. W. Langhorne Bond, Mrs. W.J. Catlett,
Jr., Mrs. Robert D. van Roijen, Mrs. Melville
Church III, and Mrs. Henry F. Dunbar.
1980-1990
Perhaps because rural Fauquier County
is increasingly threatened by the sprawl of
metropolitan Washington, the soul of The
Warrenton Garden Club lies in environmen-
tal stewardship. The club is extremely proud
of its members whose work had been recog-
nized outside Warrenton's boundaries. Mrs.
S. Prentice Porter (Hope) continued to edu-
cate and influence Fauquier citizens, as well
as the local and state government, about the
dangers of irresponsible land development.
Mrs. Russell Arundel's (Marjorie) creative vi-
sion in furthering conservation of the world's
dwindling wild bulbs and other resources
earned her national recognition. The
Warrenton Garden Club basked in the re-
flected glory of these two crusaders. The
Warrenton Garden Club sponsored The GCV
39th Annual Lily Show in 1981.
Viewing education as the cornerstone for
a viable future, The Warrenton Garden Club's
pet project since 1984 had been its annual two-
week day camp, partially supported by the
Piedmont Environmental Council. Virginia
H. Farrar ran this adventure at her farm, and
members assisted her in helping children (ages
8-12) discover, observe, appreciate, and enjoy
the area's natural history. It should be added
that heat, rain, bugs, and slime did not deter
these kids! The club also contributed to vari-
ous scholarships and programs specializing in
environmental studies and donated a large
portion of the gardening books found in the
Fauquier Library.
Members continued to carry on the club's
 The Member Clubs
tradition of planting trees and landscaping
various spots within the community, and the
ladies tended to many flower boxes through-
out the old town. In addition, seed money
was spread to beautify Crocket Park, Haiti
Park, Main Street, the Route 29 by-pass, the
Warrenton Center, and the surroundings of
the Fauquier Hospital.
Funds for these endeavors came, in large
part, as a gift from heaven. Following the
death in 1985 of long-time member Miss
Lucie Duer, the club was allowed to remove
from her estate approximately 1000
"Kingsville" boxwood, which she had rooted.
The plants were further propagated and sold
by the membership.
Each year, The Warrenton Garden Club
invited the public to a meeting featuring an
expert in the field of conservation. Speakers
came from the Piedmont Environmental
Council, The Virginia Wildlife Center, the
Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and the World
Wildlife Fund, among others. The range of
topics discussed by these representatives in-
dicated how Warrenton's environmental con-
cern has grown from its local roots up through
a global canopy.
Club presidents during the 1980s were
Mrs. Henry F. Dunbar, Mrs. John Eric
Decher, Mrs. J. Brooks Semple, Mrs. Barry
W. Starke, Mrs. Charles H. Seilheimer,Jr., and
Mrs. J. H. Tyler Wilson.
1990-1995
Seventy years later, The Warrenton Gar-
den 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 out-
side 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
environmental education, the club continued
to provide financial support to various local
and national programs specializing in ecologi-
cal studies. Warrenton's Natural History Day
Camp thrived, and some of its alumni re-
turned to fill counselor posts. The club spon-
sored open forums on land use, water, and the
invasion of alien plants. Warrenton's sense of
environmental responsibility was sharpened by
the zeal of Mrs. Arundel, who was awarded
the deLacy Gray Medal in 1992 for her dem-
onstration oflove for the natural environment
and responsibility for its preservation.
The GCV Board of Governors' Meeting,
held in Warrenton in 1992, produced a prof-
itable dividend. Mrs. Charles H. Seilheimer
(Mary Lou), the organizer of the event, per-
suaded Mrs. Barry W. Starke's (Laurie) hus-
band (F.A.S.L.A.) to design the signature bag
with Warrenton landmarks. After The GCV
ladies returned home, Warrenton was able to
use the popular canvas totes as a sale item.
Mrs. Seilheimer served as Chairman of The
GCV Horticulture Committee (1992-1994)
and The GCV Corresponding Secretary
(1994-1996).
While still keeping an eye on its origins,
The Warrenton Garden Club managed to
adapt its style as the 2 lst century ap-
proached. It continued to hold most meet-
ings in members' homes, exchange plants
regularly, and have highway beautification as
an ongoing project. In 1928, Warrenton's
club president (Mrs. George C. Lawrence)
declared the club outrageously casual. How
would she feel about the bag lunches that are
replacing high teas as the standard meeting
fare today? What would she think about
propagating and selling plants from the gar-
dens of club members to help finance
projects? Would she be prepared to don a
blaze orange vest and work pants to wield
shovels and rakes to improve the entrances
to the historic old town? The Warrenton
Garden Club is confident that she would ap-
prove of the evolution.
Club presidents during the early 1990s
were Mrs. J. H. Tyler Wilson, Mrs. Edward
C. A. Wachtmeister, Mrs. Arthur H. Nash, and
Mrs. Maximilian A. Tufts, Jr.
 Follow the Green Arrow
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 spon-
sored 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 lun-
cheon.
During the past ten years, The
Williamsburg Garden Club became increas-
ingly active in local garden club projects. It
contributed 105 books on gardening and re-
lated subjects to the Williamsburg Regional
Library. The landscaping of one of the en-
trances to the city of Williamsburg was un-
dertaken. 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 loy-
alty 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 Ver-
million, Mrs. Gardiner T. Brooks, Jr., Mrs.
Arthur L. Smith, and Mrs. Thomas W.
Wood.
178
1980-1990
Sally Stetson, Editor of The Garden
Club of Virginia JOURNAL for two de-
cades, was awarded the Massie Medal for dis-
tinguished achievement in 1981. After the
celebrations and flowery praise from The
Garden Club of Virginia, she said, "I feel like
I've been to my own funeral. I've never been
hugged and kissed so much in my life."
The club continued its interest in local
beautification and conservation. In 1982,
Mrs. Arthur D. Strong (Mary), the club's
wildflower expert, was instrumental in estab-
lishing a wildlife sanctuary on the campus of
the College of William and Mary. Proceeds
from sales of her book of poetry, THE EN-
GLISH WAY, were divided between pur-
chases of benches and plants for the sanctu-
ary and a donation to the Kent-Valentine
House.
In 1985 Nancy Gotwald Harris and her
Project Search Committee brought to the
club's attention an unsightly area behind the
College of William and Mary's Phi Beta
Kappa Memorial Hall and directly opposite
the new Muscarelle Museum entrance.
Weeds, debris, and a row of storage room
windows spoiled the view from the Dodge
Room where meetings and parties were often
held. Thus began the long-term efforts that
finally created a charming courtyard. With
club funding and cooperation with the
College's Buildings and Grounds Manager,
Roy Williams, the committee helped plan
and plant small trees, gumpo azaleas, ground
covers, Kingsville boxwood, and planters for
seasonal flowers. Evergreen clematis planted
on a trellis along the wall softened the row of
windows, and brick pavers filled the open
space. The far end begged for a suitable
piece of sculpture, which the committee
found in the Williamsburg studio of Patricia
Winter, who generously offered "The
Maenad" on permanent loan to the College.
The major fund raiser in this decade was
an annual plant and bulb sale that grew big-
ger by the year with the addition of a bou-
tique section with dried wreaths, garden
tools, and containers.
 The Member Clubs
The Annual Meeting of The Garden
Club of Virginia came to Williamsburg in
1988. This event brought all the club's mem-
bers together as never before with endless
preparations led by Mrs. Thomas W. Wood
(Gillie) and Mrs. Joseph N. Rountree (Sue).
Remember the gazebo centerpieces which
required months and months of work in Sue's
basement!
In 1989, most of the members took the
club's first overnight, long-distance field trip
to Winterthur and Longwood Gardens in
Wilmington, Delaware. It was a trip made
memorable by an afternoon tea at the home
of former member, Mrs. Thomas Graves
(Zoe), whose husband, Tom, was Director at
Winterthur.
The highlight of that year was The
Williamburg Garden Club's 60th Anniver-
sary Party in the Dodge Room, overlooking
its project, the newly landscaped courtyard.
Husbands were invited and in the display of
memorabilia was Sally Stetson's Massie
Medal. Sally, the club's only remaining char-
ter member, entertained the group with sto-
ries of early years when the club was formed
by mostly college faculty wives. They all
wore hats and gloves.
Club presidents during the 1980s were
Mrs. Harry G. Hager, Mrs. Joseph N.
Rountree, Mrs. Glen Shivel, Mrs. Baxter I.
Bell, Jr., and Mrs. Andrew W. Abbitt.
1990-1995
In the first years of the 90s, The
Williamsburg Garden Club lost some of its
most beloved and colorful members. Sally
Pattee Stetson, the last charter member and
Editor of The Garden Club of Virginia
JOURNAL for over twenty-five years, died
in 1991. Mrs. Hibbert D. Corey (Peg), trea-
surer of the JOURNAL for many years and a
former sailing companion of Lelia Thorne,
died in 1992. Mrs. Victor Iturralde (Mary
Selby), who could be depended on to know
all the Latin names for plants and was a re-
nowned needlework designer, died in 1993.
She designed and executed the needlepoint
square featuring the club's flower,
179
Sternbergia Lutea, for the Kent-Valentine
House rug.
The club was still very much alive with
many mentors who teach and share in all as-
pects of its purpose. Learning to arrange has
been heavily stressed in recent years as five
accredited judges, Elaine Abbott, Mrs.
Baskerville Bridgforth, Jr. (Kitty), Mrs. Rich-
ard K . Delaune Oewel Lynn), Nancy
Gotwald Harris, and Mrs. William L. Rob-
erts, Jr. (Gale), guide the inexperienced
through informative sessions of the club's
unique Study Group and critique arrange-
ments regularly brought to meetings. Every
member is expected to participate, and real
improvement is seen in this area. More help
for Historic Garden Week and Flower
Shows! The Williamsburg Garden Club was
awarded the Mrs. Littleton H . Mears Trophy
for the Best Inter-Club Arrangement in The
GCV Annual Daffodil Show in 1991.
The club's most recent fund raiser, a
yearly Christmas Wreath Sale, was started in
1990 and quickly became a success. The
handsome wreaths were ordered from the
same source used by Colonial Williamsburg.
Each member is expected to sell or buy at
least six wreaths.
In 1993, further interest in the campus of
The College of William and Mary College
resulted in the club providing the seed
money for replacing 20 18th-century species
trees in the courtyard of the Wren Building
in celebration of the college's Tercentenary.
Grateful thanks were expressed by
pleased Avalon Directors after The
Williamsburg Garden Club designed and in-
stalled landscaping at their shelter for bat-
tered women and children, an uplifting expe-
rience for all.
The approaching mid-90s finds a
younger face on the active body of The
Williamsburg Garden Club as older mem-
bers go on to associate membership. This
new energy was just what's needed to meet
the challenges of the next decade and be-
yond.
Club presidents during the early 1990s
were Mrs. Anthony J. Taylor, Mrs.Joseph R.
Pinotti, and Mrs. Thomas M . Jamison.
 Follow the Green Arrow
WINCHESTER-CLARKE
GARDEN CLUB
1970-1980
The decade of the 1970s was a time of
peaks and valleys. A busy membership cel-
ebrated the 50th anniversary of the Wmches-
ter-Clarke Garden Club in 1974 and contin-
ued the activities of those rewarding years.
These activities included educating the pub-
lic 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 Gar-
den 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), co-
chairmen of the show, and their committees
were relieved when, fortunately for the roses,
the old stone building turned into a refrigera-
tor 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-
180
tributed to the local historical societies for
maintenance of boxwood gardens at Abrams
Delight, Wmchester's oldest home, and at the
grounds at the Burwell-Morgan Mill. It con-
tributed to selected conservation organizations
and sent one or more children to Nature
Camp each year. Some peaks, some valleys
and some levels in between.
There were outstanding peaks for the
club, however. One member, Mrs. E.M.
Whiting (Helen), was honored by the Ameri-
can Boxwood Society with a boxwood culti-
var named for her - the Helen Whiting box-
wood. Mrs. George W. Burton (Sarah) be-
came a certified GCV artistic judge, and Mrs.
Richard C. Plater, Jr. (Pam) received The
GCV Horticulture Award of Merit for her
expertise in boxwood and roses.
Club presidents during the 1970s were
Mrs. Daniel Dougherty, Mrs. Flournoy L.
Largent, Jr., Mrs. George G. Snarr, Jr., Mrs.
Richard C. Plater, Jr., Mrs. W. David
McWhorter, Mrs. Lilburn T. Talley, and Mrs.
Maurice J. Duffey.
1980-1990
The club started the decade of the 1980s
by planting a boxwood garden at Handley Li-
brary 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 per-
sonality. 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 mem-
bership 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 ex-
pand. The infusion of young, eager new mem-
bers 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
 The Member Clubs
memorable trip to the Diplomatic Reception
Rooms of the State Department.
Participating husbands will never forget
a canoe trip on the Shenandoah. Working
with state and local organizations and prac-
ticing what they preached in their own homes,
club members had taken up the crusade for
water conservation. To emphasize the local
resources, 13 canoes, filled with agile mem-
bers and some husbands and children, took to
the river under the watchful eyes of two expe-
rienced white-water guides.
The red flag of conservation and the se-
lection of Belle Grove Plantation in
Middletown as The GCV's restoration project
rekindled enthusiasm. The club continued its
commitment to education by staging two small
flower shows and conducting a flower-arrang-
ing workshop at a local nursing home. It con-
tinued to support other conservation organi-
zations and to send a child to Nature Camp.
The club also held The GCV Board of Gov-
ernors' Meeting in 1982.
Civic beautification became a focal point
for the club. WCGC constructed a dry wall
and landscaped the visitor's pavilion at Blandy
Farm, the State Arboretum in Clarke County.
The committee worked feverishly to complete
the job in time for 1987 Historic Garden
Week. The complex was to be open, and tea
was to be served there. First, a late killing
frost wiped out the tender plants. Then came
rains, and the rest of the underplantings were
drowned. Dedication Day arrived with pour-
ing rain. Members remained calm, and six
months later a serene and inviting entrance
welcomed guests.
In 1988 Mrs. Lilburn T. Talley (Nancy)
was installed as President of The Garden Club
of Virginia at the Annual Meeting in
Williamsburg. For two years the club burst
with pride in celebration of its first member
serving in that prestigious position.
For a number of years the club auctioned
inhouse articles members had made for Christ-
mas gifts and decorations with wonderful re-
sults and a hilarious good time for all. But in
1989, the aforementioned young members had
gotten up a real head of steam, and the auc-
tion went public. Members toiled for months,
181
making hundreds of items to be sold at the
famous Middleburg Christmas Shop. The
project was highly successful in raising money
for future projects. Exhausted members
crawled home to families waiting for orderly
homes. Kitchens were cleared enough to func-
tion, rec rooms were swept clean of everything
from pine needles to sequins, and fingers
burned by hot glue guns began to heal! Mem-
bers were prepared for the next decade.
Club presidents during the 1980s were
Mrs. Charles H. Schutte, Jr., Mrs. Gerald A.
Gildersleeve, Mrs. George W. Burton, and
Mrs. George R. Moore.
1990-1995
The tremendous effort of 1989 caused a
bit of burn-out in the field of creative endeav-
ors and the club turned its energies toward
important civic matters.
The Winchester-Frederick County His-
torical Society presented the club with a Cer-
tificate of Honor in appreciation for its ser-
vice in preservation and conservation. In co-
operation with the Winchester Chamber of
Commerce and the County of Clarke, mem-
bers helped to start the pilot program for a
recycling project that had gratifying results.
Mrs. M. Gray Farland (Mary) and Mrs.
T. Haliburton McCoy (Becky) submitted a
plan for the planting and beautification of a
highway intersection on Route 7 in Clarke
County. This project, funded by contributions
from local citizens, was met with such enthu-
siasm by the county that the club was asked to
share its horticulture talents in carrying out
the plan.
Another civic project, the landscaping,
planting, and educational program for Sha-
lom et Benedictus, got off to a roaring start in
1991. This project at the facility for young
substance abusers was chosen for $1,000 run-
ner-up award from The GCV Common
Wealth Fund. The next year, 1992, the mem-
bers were most gratified to be the winner of
the Common Wealth Award. This project was
started with a simple planting in the cement
planter in front of the building. It developed
into an entire landscape design that was imple-
 Follow the Green Arrow

mented in phases by club members and their

families working side by side with the student
residents. Members gained from working with
these students, one of whom took such an in-
terest that he was able to find employment
with a landscaping business after graduating.
For Sarah Burton, 1993 was a banner year!
As usual, she came back with enough silver
and ribbons from daffodil shows to stock a
shop. Among them was the Katherine
Leadbeater Bloomer Perpetual Award from
The GCV Daffodil Show. Sarah generously
shared her love and knowledge of daffodils
with club members, local daffodil enthusiasts,
and other garden clubs throughout the state.
Winchester-Clarke Garden Club added
two more artistic judges to the ranks, Mrs.
Theodore Foster (Jane) and Mrs. William
Brandt (Elaine).
Who will ever forget the Winter of 1993-
1994? Snow, ice, and cancelled meetings.
Using that time to good advantage, our re-
sourceful 1994 Rose Show chairman, Mrs.
McCoy, and her able committee manned the
telephone and had everything planned by the
time Spring finally arrived. The Rose Show
theme "Alice in Wonderland" with its creative
schedule was well received. The club's most
successful Historic Garden Week ever was an
added bonus for 1994.
As 1995 rolled around, the \Vinchester-
Clarke Garden Club was as busy as ever with
flower shows, the geranium and spring plant
sales to benefit the Nature Camp camper, con-
servation, horticulture, the eternal fight to rid
the highways of billboards, civic programs, etc.
"Through the Looking Glass" was cho-
sen for the theme of the 199 5 GCV Rose
Show. The capable guidance of Mrs. William
Brandt (Elaine) would produce another
memorable show.
Club presidents during the early 1990s
were Mrs. Harry K. Benham III, Mrs. George
L. Sheppard,Jr., Mrs. Theodore Foster II, and
Mrs. Robert T. Mitchell, Jr.

182
 APPENDIXES

I. OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS 1970-1995 183

II. COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN 1970-1995 188
III. LIST OF MEMBER CLUBS 195
IY. LIST OF HOSTESS CLUBS 198
v. LIST OF RESTORATIONS 200
VI. ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS AND WINNERS 204
VII. FLOWER SHOWS: CLUBS SPONSORING 212
VIII. FLOWER SHOWS: CHALLENGE CUPS and WINNERS 214
IX. BOOKS 221

183
 Follow the Green Arrow

HONORARY MEMBERS OF
THE GARDEN CLUB OF VIRGINIA

* Mrs. Irving L. Matthews, Richmond, Virginia

* Mr. Harold]. Neale, Richmond, Virginia
The Honorable FitzGerald Bemiss, Richmond, Virginia
* Mr. Ralph E.Griswold, Williamsburg, Virginia
The Honorable Lewis F. Powell, Jr., Washington, D. C.
Mr. August Dietz III, Richmond, Virginia
* Mr. Robert H. Talley, Jr., Belle Haven, Virginia
Mr. William G. Pannill, Martinsville Virginia
Mr. Rudy J. Favretti, Storrs, Connecticut
* Mrs. Charles D. Pennebaker, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
Mr.Joseph C. Carter, Jr., Richmond, Virginia
Mr. Ronald]. Chiabotta, Kensington, Maryland
Mr.John G. Zehmer, Richmond, Virginia

* Deceased

184
 Appendix I

APPENDIX I
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
1970-1995

HONORARY PRESIDENTS FIRST VICE PRESIDENTS

1922-32 Mrs. Malvern C. Patterson, James
River
1934-52 Mrs. William R. Massie, Albemarle
1963-75 Mrs. HerbertMcKelden Smith,
Augusta
1987- Mrs. George H. Flowers, Jr.,
Boxwood
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
1970-72 Mrs. Leon S. Dure, Albemarle
1972-74 Mrs. Thomas W. Murrell, Jr.,
Tuckahoe
1974-76 Mrs. Toy D. Savage, Jr., Norfolk
1976-78 Mrs. Thomas W. Murrell, Jr.,
Tuckahoe
1978-80 Miss Jean Printz, Rivanna
1980-82 Mrs.James B. Montgomery,
Martinsville
1982-84 Mrs. Frederic W. Scott, Albemarle
1984-86 Mrs. William L. Gilliam, Jr.,
Virginia Baach
1986-88 Mrs. Edward A. Barham, Jr.,
Elizabeth River
1988-90 Mrs. Henley L. Guild, Hunting
Creek
1990-92 Mrs. W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr.,
Northern Neck
1992-94 Mrs. H. Gordon Leggett, Jr.,
Lynchburg
1994-96 Mrs. Charles H. Schutte, Jr.,
Winchester-Clarke
SECOND VICE PRESIDENTS
1970-72 Mrs. George M. Cochran, Augusta
1972-73 Mrs.James W. Ray, Jr., Gabriella
1973-74 Mrs. Toy D. Savage, Jr., Norfolk
1974-76 Mrs. Spotswood B. Hall,Jr.,
James River
1976-78 Mrs. Stewart Bell, Jr.,
Little Garden Club
1978-80 Mrs.Jam es B. Montgomery,

185
 Follow the Green Arrow
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
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 . 1994-96 Mrs. Charles Seilheimer, Jr.,
1990-94 Mrs. George A. Whipple, Fairfax
1994- Mrs. Austin T. Darden, Jr.,
Nansemond River
RECORDING SECRETARIES
1970-72 Mrs. Thomas W. Murrell, Jr.,
Tuckahoe
1972-74 Mrs. W.J. Perry, Augusta
1974-76 Mrs. Bate C.Toms,Jr., Martinsville
1976-78 Mrs. Sol W Rawls, Jr., Franklin
1978-80 Mrs. Robert W. Keller,] ames River
1980-82 Mrs. William W. Old III, Blue Ridge
1982-84 Mrs. Edward H. Ould, Garden
Study
1984-86 Mrs. Willcox Ruffin, Jr., Norfolk
1986-88 Mrs. Austin T. Darden, Jr.,
Nansemond River
1988-90 Mrs. W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr.,
Northern Neck
1990-92 Mrs. Edward A. Barham, Jr.,
Elizabeth River
186
1992-94 Mrs. Robert L. Hopkins, Jr.,
Ashland
1994-96 Mrs. Laurent Boetsch, Blue Ridge
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
Warrenton
DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE
1968-71 Mrs. William T. Reed,Jr.,
James River
1968-71 Mrs. Melvin Wallinger, Ashland
1969-72 Mrs.]. H. Cunningham, Fauquier
and Loudoun
1969-72 Mrs. Bate C. Toms, Jr.,
Martinsville
1970-73 Mrs. Robert E. Latham, Alexandria
1970-73 Mrs. Toy D. Savage, Jr., Norfolk
1971-74 Mrs. Spotswood B. Hall, Jr.,
James River
1971-74 Mrs. D. H. Patteson-Knight, Fairfax
1972-75 Mrs. C. Harrison Mann, Jr.,
Hunting Creek
1972-75 Mrs. Sol W. Rawls, Jr., Franklin
1973-76 Mrs. Stewart Bell, Jr., Little
Garden Club
1973-76 Mrs. N . W. Bullington,Jr.,
 Appendix I
Mill Mountain 1988-91 Mrs. Austin T. Darden, Jr.,
1974-77 Mrs. W Wright Harrison, Nansemond River
Virginia Beach 1989-92 Mrs. Paul W Mengel, Gabriella
1974-77 Mrs. RobertL. Hopkins,Jr., 1989-92 Mrs. William C. Trenary III,
Ashland Warren County
1975-78 Mrs. Frederic W Scott, Albemarle 1990-93 Mrs. Robert Carter, Jam es River
1975-78 Mrs. Edwin B. Vaden, Hillside 1990-93 Mrs. Richard S. Bray, Elizabeth
1976-79 Mrs.John S. Battle,Jr., Boxwood River
1976-79 Mrs. Benjamin W Mears, Jr., 1991-94 Mrs. Arthur S. Brinkley,Jr.,
Eastern Shore Three Chopt
1977 -80 Mrs.Jam es C. Godwin, 1991-94 Mrs.Josiah Pollard Rowe III,
Nansemond River Rappahannock Valley
1977-80 Mrs. B. Powell Harrison, Leesburg, 1992-95 Mrs. P. William Moore, Jr.,
Fauquier and Loudoun Augusta
1978-81 Mrs. William H. Parker, Jr., 1992-95 Mrs. T. Austin Sydnor, Jr.,
Gabriella Albemarle
1978-81 Mrs. Charles K. Woltz, Rivanna 1993-96 Mrs. William L. Roberts, Jr.,
1979-82 Mrs. Lea Booth, Hillside Williamsburg
1979-82 Mrs. McCluer Gilliam, Blue Ridge 1993-96 Mrs. George A. Horkan, Jr.,
1980-83 Mrs. Henley L. Guild, Hunting Fauquier and Loudoun
Creek 1994- Mrs. Frank T. Ellett, Mill Mountain
1980-83 Mrs. Robert W Preston, 1994- Mrs. Hill Carter, Jr., Ashland
Spotswood 1995- Mrs. David F. King,
1981-84 Mrs. Russell S. Crenshaw,Jr., Rappahannock Valley
Alexandria 1995- Mrs. Arthur Pleasant Sibold,Jr.,
1981-84 Mrs. Lilburn T. Talley, Hunting Creek
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
 Follow the Green Arrow

APPENDIX II
COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN
1970-1995

ADMISSIONS 1976-78 Mrs. Richard F. Welton, Virginia

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
ANNUAL and BOARD OF
GOVERNORS' MEETINGS
1970-72 Mrs.]. H. Tyler Wilson,
Warrenton
1972-74 Mrs. Daniel 0. Worthington,
Charlottesville
197 4-76 Mrs. Hosea E. Wilson, Gabriella
Beach
1978-80 Mrs. Eugene R. Marable,Jr.,
Petersburg
1980-82 Mrs. Hugh L. Patterson, Virginia
Beach
1982-84 Mrs. Charles P. Smith III, Garden
Study
1984-86 Mrs. Austin T. Darden, Jr.,
Nansemond River
1986-88 Mrs. George A. Whipple, Fairfax
1988-90 Mrs. William H. West, Jr.,
Fauquier and Loudoun
1990-92 Mrs.James A. Stuart, Jr., Eastern
Shore
1992-94 Mrs. Leland E. Beale, Jr., Franklin
1994-96 Mrs. Alexander M. Fisher, Jr.,
James River
COMMON WEALTH AWARD
1980-82 Mrs. Frederic W. Scott, Albemarle
1982-84 Mrs. Charles B. Miller, Boxwood
1984-86 Mrs. William H. Parker, Jr.,
Gabriella
1986-88 Mrs. William L. Gilliam, Jr.,
Virginia Beach
1988-90 Mrs. Edward A. Barham, Jr.,
Elizabeth River
1990-92 Mrs. William L. Roberts, Jr.,
Williamsburg
1992-94 Mrs. David F. King,
Rappahannock Valley
1994-96 Mrs. H. Harrison Braxton, Jr.,
Rappahannock Valley

188
 Appendix II
CONSERVATION and
BEAUTIFICATION
1970-72 Mrs. Mayor F. Fogler, Virginia
Beach
1972-74 Mrs.James B. Montgomery,
Martinsville
1974-76 Mrs. William R. Miller, Jr.,
Princess Anne
1976-78 Mrs. Richard G. Miller, Jr.,
Albemarle
1978-80 Mrs. Charles B. Miller, Boxwood
1980-82 Mrs.James C. Godwin,
Nansemond River
1982-84 Mrs. Edward L. Dashiell, Virginia
Beach
1984-86 Mrs. John E. Clarkson, Norfolk
1986-88 Mrs. Theodore G. Scott, Jr.,
Dolley Madison
1988-90 Mrs. Robert Carter, James River
1990-92 Mrs. Frank T. Ellett,
Mill Mountain
1992-94 Mrs.James B. Murray, Albemarle
1994-96 Mrs. Clarke T. Cooper, Jr., Little
Garden Club
FINANCE
1970-72 Mrs. Edwin B. Vaden, Hillside
1972-74 Mrs. McCluer Gilliam, Blue Ridge
1974-76 Mrs. Wyatt A. Williams, Dolley
Madison
1976-78 Mrs.James 0. Burke, James River
1978-80 Mrs.John D. Varner, Roanoke
Valley
1980-82 Mrs. Thomas H. Tullidge,
Augusta
1982-84 Mrs. Robert L. Hopkins, Jr.,
Ashland
1984-86 Miss Jean Printz, Rivanna
1986-88 Mrs. Robert L. Hopkins, Jr.,
Ashland
1988-90 Mrs. John D. Varner, Roanoke
Valley
1990-92 Mrs.Jam es C. Godwin,
Nansemond River
1992-94 Mrs. Lilburn T. Talley,
Winchester-Clarke
1994-96 Mrs. George A. Whipple, Fairfax
189
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
HISTORIAN and CUSTODIAN
OF RECORDS
1970-72 Mrs. Munford R. Yates, Petersburg
1972-74 Mrs.]. Sloan Kuykendall,
Winchester-Clarke
1974-76 Mrs. H. Blair F arinholt, Gloucester
1976-78 Mrs. R. Bolling Camerons
Petersburg
1978-80 Mrs.James S. Dietz, Leesburg
1980-82 Mrs. Eugene R. Marable,
Petersburg
1982-84 Mrs. W Tayloe Murphy, Jr.,
Northern Neck
1984-86 Mrs. Spotswood B. Hall, Jr., Jam es
River
1986-88 Mrs. William C. Trenary III,
Warren County
1988-90 Mrs.JereM. H. Willis,Jr.,
Rappahannock Valley
1990-92 Mrs. William H. West, Jr.,
 Follow the Green Arrow
F auquisr and Loudoun
1992-94 Mrs. Carroll W. Bartlett,
Gloucester
1994-96 Mrs. Robert L. Hopkins, Jr.,
Ashland
HISTORIC GARDEN WEEK
1969-71 Mrs. Spotswood B. Hall,Jr.,James
River
VC: Mrs. Alexander W. Neal, Jr.,
Three Chopt
1971-73 Mrs. Alexander W. Neal, Jr.,
Three Chopt
VC: Mrs.John S. Battle, Jr.,
Boxwood
1973-75 Mrs.John S. Battle,Jr., Boxwood
VC: Mrs. Lawrence Lewis, Jr.,
Tuckahoe
1975-77 Mrs. LawrenceLewis,Jr., Tuckahoe
VC: Mrs.Hunter H. McGuire, Jr.,
James River
1977-79 Mrs. Hunter H. McGuire, ] r.,
James River
VC: Mrs. Horace H. Harrison,
Three Chopt
1979-81 Mrs. Horace H. Harrison, Three
Cho pt
VC: Mrs. Charles L. Reed, Jr.,
Boxwood
1981-83 Mrs. Charles L. Reed, Jr., Boxwood
VC: Mrs. Parke E. Smith, Tuckahoe
1983-85 Mrs. Parke E. Smith, Tuckahoe
VC: Mrs. Robert]. Keller, James
River
1985-87 Mrs. Robert]. Keller, James River
VC: Mrs. Arthur S. Brinkley, Jr.,
Three Chopt
1987-89 Mrs. Arthur S. Brinkley,Jr., Three
Chopt
VC: Mrs. Merritt W. Foster, Jr.,
Boxwood
1989-91 Mrs. Merritt W. Foster, Jr.,
Boxwood
VC: Mrs. St. Julian Oppenhimer,
Tuckahoe
1991-93 Mrs. St.Julian Oppenhimer,
Tuckahoe
VC: Mrs. Robert A. Bristow,James
River
190
1993-95 Mrs. Robert A. Bristow,James
River
VC: Mrs.James C. Hamilton,
ThreeChopt
1995-97 Mrs.James C. Hamilton, Three
Chopt
VC: Mrs. Bowlman T. Bowles, Jr.,
Boxwood
••••••
1965-92 Mrs.]. Robert Massie, Jr., Editor
of Guidebook and Director of
Publicity
1992- Mrs. Edwin P. Munson Editor of
Guidebook and Executive
Director of Historic Garden
Week
1971-86 Mrs. Richard B. Williams,
Executive Secretary
1988- Mrs. William H. Flowers,
Secretary (in 1993 designation
changed to Administrator)
HORTICULTURE
1970-72 Mrs.]. W. Clarke, Garden Study
1972-74 Mrs. William Seipp, Fauquier and
Loudoun
197 4-76 Mrs. Robert W. Massie ill,
Lynchburg
1976-78 Mrs. Charles K. Waltz, Rivanna
1978-80 Mrs. Robert L. Frackelton,
Rappahannock Valley
1980-82 Mrs. Russell B. Davis, Princess
Anne
1982-84 Mrs. Tull Gearreald, Norfolk
1984-86 Mrs. Robert C. Wood ill,
Lynchburg
1986-88 Mrs.Jack C. Fuson, Gloucester
1988-90 Mrs. William L. Roberts, Jr.,
Williamsburg
1990-92 Mrs. George A. Horkan,Jr.,
Fauquier and Loudoun
1992-94 Mrs. Charles H . Seilheimer, Jr.,
Warrenton
1994-96 Mrs. Judy Boyce Bray, Elizabeth
River (Mrs. Stephen S. Perry, Jr.
name change)
 Appendix II
Valley
KENT-VALENTINE HOUSE 1994-95 Mrs. Edward A. Barham, Jr.,
Elizabeth River
1972-74 Mrs. George H. Flowers, Jr., 1995-96 Mrs. Charles C. Freed, Jr.,
Boxwood Danville
1974-76 Mrs. DeWittF. Helm,Jr., Boxwood
1976-78 Mrs.James C. Wheat, Jr., Tuckahoe NOMINATIONS
1978-80 Mrs. Spotswood B. Hall, Jr.,
James River 1970-72 Mrs. James Bland Martin,
1980-81 Mrs. Williams E. Pembleton, Gloucester
Tuckahoe 1972-74 Mrs. Benjamin F. Parrott, Mill
1981-82 Mrs. Spotswood B. Hall, Jr., James Mountain
River 1974-76 Mrs. Lucius]. Kellam, Eastern
1982-84 Mrs. Spotswood B. Hall, Jr., James Shore
River 1976-78 Mrs. George H. Flowers, Jr.,
1984-86 Mrs. George H. Flowers, Jr., Boxwood
Boxwood 1978-80 Mrs. George M. Cochran, Augusta
1986-88 Mrs. W. G. Maser, Boxwood 1980-82 Mrs.John D. Varner, Jr., Roanoke
1988-90 Mrs. Spotswood B. Hall, Jr., James Valley
River 1982-84 Mrs. Toy D. Savage, Jr., Norfolk
1990-92 Mrs. Richard H. Catlett, Jr., 1984-86 Mrs. Frederic W. Scott, Albemarle
Boxwood 1986-88 Miss Jean Printz, Rivanna
1992-94 Mrs. George H. Flowers, Jr., 1988-90 Mrs. Benjamin W. Mears, Jr.,
Boxwood Eastern Shore
1994-96 Mrs. Charles H. Frischkorn, 1990-92 Mrs. Wyatt A. Williams, Dolley
Tuckahoe Madison
1992-94 Mrs. James C. Godwin,
MASSIE MEDAL AWARD Nansemond River
1994-96 Mrs. Henley L. Guild, Hunting
1970-72 Mrs . ]. Gordon Lindsay, Creek
Charlottesville
1972-74 Mrs. Webster S. Rhoads,Jr., PARLIAMENTARIAN and EDITOR
Gloucester OF THE REGISTER
1974-76 Mrs. Francis P. Brawley, Albemarle
1976-78 Mrs. Spotswood B. Hall,Jr.,James 1970-72 Mrs.James W. Ray, Jr., Gabriella
River 1972-74 Miss Jean Printz, Rivanna
1978-80 Mrs. C. Harrisbn Mann, Jr., 1974-76 Mrs. McCluer Gilliam, Blue Ridge
Hunting Creek 1976-78 Mrs. C. Harrison Mann, Jr.,
1980-82 Mrs. Ben B. Pickett, Gloucester Hunting Creek
1982-84 Mrs. C. C. Carbaugh, Warren 1978-80 Mrs. Thomas H. Tullidge, Augusta
County 1980-82 Mrs. Charles C. Freed, Jr., Danville
1984-86 Mrs. Wyatt A. Williams, Dolley 1982-84 Mrs. Benjamin W. Mears, Jr.,
Madison Eastern Shore
1986-88 Mrs.James B. Montgomery, 1984-86 Mrs. W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr.,
Martinsville Northern Neck
1988-90 Mrs. William L. Gilliam, Jr., 1986-88 Mrs. Henley L. Guild, Hunting
Virginia Beach Creek
1990-92 Mrs. Robert L. Hopkins, Jr., 1988-90 Mrs. Charles H. Schutte, Jr.,
Ashland Winchester-Clarke
1992-94 Mrs. Hugh]. Hagan, Jr., Roanoke 1990-92 Mrs. Willcox Ruffin, Jr., Norfolk

191
 Follow the Green Arrow

1992-94 Mrs. Robert C. Wood III,

Lynchburg EDITOR
1994-96 Mrs. Leland E. Beale, Jr., Franklin
1961-88 Mrs.John M. Stetson,
PUBLIC RELATIONS, DIRECTOR OF Williamsburg

1970-72 Miss Jean Printz, Rivanna ASSOCIATE EDITOR

1972-74 Mrs. RobertL. Hopkins,Jr.,
Ashland 1973-88 Mrs. T. Robert Vermillion,
1974-76 Mrs. H. Marston Smith, Northern Williamsburg
Neck
1976-78 Mrs. William W. Old III, Blue PUBLICATIONS, CHAIRMEN
Ridge
1978-80 Mrs. Charles C. Freed,Jr., 1988-90 Mrs. Charles C. Freed, Jr.,
Danville Danville
1980-82 Mrs.JackM. Gwaltney,Jr., 1990-92 Mrs. Hunter H. McGuire, Jr.,
Charlottesville James River
1982-84 Mrs. William J . McDonald, 1992-94 Mrs. Austin T. Darden. Jr.,
Leesburg Nansemond River
1984-86 Mrs. David L. Peebles, Gloucester 1994-96 Mrs. Robert C. Wood III,
1986-88 Mrs. Leland E. Beale, Jr., Franklin Lynchburg
1988-90 Mrs. Josiah Pollard Rowe III,
Rappahannock Valley EDITORIAL BOARD, CHAIRMEN
1990-92 Mrs. David F. King,
Rappahannock Valley 1988-90 Mrs. William W. Old III, Blue
1992-94 Mrs. Hill Carter, Jr., Ashland Ridge
1994-96 Mrs. Rudolph Bumgardner III, 1990-92 Mrs. Austin T. Darden, Jr.,
Augusta Nansemond River
1992-94 Mrs. William W. Old III, Blue
PUBLICATIONS Ridge
1994-96 Mrs.James F.Johnson, Roanoke
THE GARDEN CLUB Valley
OF VIRGINIA JOURNAL
EDITORS of THE GARDEN CLUB OF
CHAIRMEN VIRGINIAJOURNAL and UPDATE

1970-72 Mrs.Joseph M. Mercer, Dolley 1988-90 Mrs. Lewis F. J ally, Spotswood

Madison
1972-74 Mrs. A. T. Embrey, Jr.,
Rappahannock Valley
1974-76 Mrs. William H. Sipe, Huntington
197 6-78 Mrs. McKelden Smith, Augusta
1978-80 Mrs. Dixon Foster, Northern
Neck
1980-82 Mrs. E. Barham Dodson, Franklin
1982-84 Mrs. Robert T. Scott, Boxwood
1984-86 Mrs. Thomas W. Wood,
Williamsburg
1986-88 Mrs. William W. Old III,
Blue Ridge
192
1990- Mrs. Royston Jester rv; Hillside
(1994 - Name Change: Mrs. C.
Patterson Jester)
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
 Appendix II
1978-80 Mrs. George H. Flowers,Jr., Dolley Madison
Boxwood 1994- Mrs. W. John Matheson,
1980-82 Mrs. Toy D. Savage, Jr., Norfolk Gloucester
1982-84 Mrs. William L. Gilliam, Jr.,
Virginia Beach LILY
1984-86 Mrs. Henley L. Guild, Hunting
Creek 1966-72 Mrs. Arthur A. Dugdale, Ashland
1986-88 Mrs. Lilburn T. Talley, 1972-76 Mrs. Hunt Nenon, Chatham
Wmchester-Clarke 1976-80 Mrs. Wilfred T. Grenfell, Jr.,
1988-90 Mrs. Robert L. Hopkins, Jr., Dolley Madison
Ashland 1980-84 Mrs. Douglas G. Lindsay, Hunting
1990-92 Mrs. H. Gordon Leggett, Jr., Creek
Lynchburg 1984-86 Mrs. Saxon W. Holt,Jr., Virginia
1992-94 Mrs. Benjamin W. Mears, Jr., Beach
Eastern Shore 1986-88 Mrs. Donald R. Ober, Dolley
1994-96 Mrs. Paul W. Mengel, Gabriella Madison
1988- Mrs. David Diller, Spotswood
SLIDES
ROSE
1970-72 Mrs. William H. King, Three
Chopt 1964-74 Mrs. Thomas R. Nelson, Augusta
1972-74 Mrs. Richmond Gray, Three 1974-78 Mrs. Russell S. Crenshaw, Jr.,
Chopt Alexandria
1974-76 Mrs. Ivor Massey, Boxwood 1978-90 Mrs. James W. Perkinson, Danville
1976-78 Mrs. R. Vollie Richardson, 1990-96 Mrs.John P.Josephs, Three Chopt
Hampton Roads
1978-80 Miss Jane Saunders, Tuckahoe CHAIRMEN OF SPECIAL
1980-82 Mrs. Edward H. Ould, Garden COMMITTEES
Study
1982-84 Mrs.James T. Butler, Jr., KENT-VALENTINE HOUSE LONG
Brunswick RANGE PLANNING
1984-86 Mrs.John D. Haire, Jr., Petersburg
1986-88 Mrs. J. Brooks Semple, Warrenton 1992- Co-Chairmen - Mrs. George M.
1988-90 Mrs. Patrick Acheson, Leesburg Cochran, Augusta
1990-92 Mrs. Douglas E. Quarles, Jr., Mrs. Richard H. Catlett, Jr.,
Rappahannock Valley Boxwood
1992-94 Mrs. Laurent Boetsch, Blue Ridge
1994-96 Mrs. E. Carruthers Bruce, Virginia INVESTMENT
Beach
1990-92 Mrs. Herbert W. Jackson III,
TEST COLLECTIONS Tuckahoe {name change to}
1992-94 Mrs.JackMcP. Parrish,Jr.,
DAFFODIL Tuckahoe
1994-96 Mrs. R. Walter Jones III,
1968-74 Mrs. Reginald F. C. Vance, Tuckahoe
Gloucester
1974-82 Mrs. Karl F. Hehl, Lynchburg SPECIAL COMMITTEE
1982-91 Mrs.Joel Crenshaw, Hunting
Creek Seventy-fifth Anniversary Gala - Chairmen
1991-94 Mrs. Robert F. Gillespie, Jr., 1994-95 Mrs. Hunter H . McGuire, Jr.,

193
 Follow the Green Arrow

James River
Mrs. William T. Tucker, Three
Cho pt
Mrs. Herbert A. Claiborne, Jr.,
James River

CAMPAIGN for the

KENT-VALENTINE HOUSE

1995- Co-Chairmen - Mrs. Charles H.

Seilheimer, Jr., Warrenton
Mrs. P. William Moore,Jr., Augusta

194
 Appendix Ill

APPENDIX III
LIST OF MEMBER CLUBS

Club: Organized: Admitted GCV:

ALEXANDRIA
The Garden Club of Alexandria 10/1/1925 4/23/1930
The Hunting Creek Garden Club 3/5/1942 5/12/1954

ASHLAND
The Ashland Garden Club 10112/1922 5/19/1948

CHARLOTTESVILLE
Albemarle Garden Club 10/16/1913 1920
The Charlottesville Garden Club 3/17/1949 511511957
Rivanna Garden Club 11/16/1922 5/30/1924

CHATHAM
Chatham Garden Club 7/1921 5/12/1922

DANVILLE
The Garden Club of Danville 6/20/1918 1920
Gabriella Garden Club 4/15/1933 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 5/3/1933

FRONT ROYAL
The Garden Club of Warren County 6119/1929 5/20/1941

195
 Follow the Green Arrow

GLOUCESTER
The Garden Club of Gloucester 6/1928 5/9/1945

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 7/1935 5/29/1953
The Lynchburg Garden Club 3/29/1922 5/23/1923

MARTINSVILLE
The Garden Study Club 9/1946 5/15/1958
The Martinsville Garden Club 4/1923 5/30/1924

MIDDLEBURG AREA
Fauquier and Loudoun Garden Club 11/23/1915 1920

NEWPORT NEWS-HAMPTON
Hampton Roads Garden Club 4/1932 5/12/1937
The HuntingtoD Garden Club 4/1935 5/17/1956

NORFOLK
Harborfront Garden Club 1953 5/20/1992
The Garden Club of Norfolk 2/24/1915 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 1/1937 5/15/1952
The James River Garden Club 3/1/1915 1920
Three Chopt Garden Club 2/7/1939 5/15/1952
196
 Appendix III
Tuckahoe Garden Club of Westhampton 6/28/1928 5/10/1934

ROANOKE
The Mill Mountain Garden Club 6/29/1927 5/27/1936
Roanoke Valley Garden Club 4/1925 6/12/1929

STAUNTON 1919 1920

The Augusta Garden Club

SUFFOLK
The Nansemond River Garden Club 10/26/1928 5/27/1936

VIRGINIA BEACH
The Princess Anne Garden Club 2/6/1932 5/11/1938
The Virginia Beach Garden Club 3/10/1937 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 7/1934 5/12/1954
Winchester-Clarke Garden Club 517/1924 5/26/1927

The following fo:ur clubs were members but later resigned:

Name: Admitted: Resigned:

Warrenton Flower Club 1922 1927
Scottsville 1925 1938
West Park View, Portsmouth 1925 1938
Warm Springs Valley, Hot Springs 1925 1956

197
 Follow the Green Arrow

APPENDIX IV
LIST OF HOSTESS CLUBS
1970-1995

The James River Garden Club ................................................................... May 19, 20, 21, 1970
The Martinsville Garden Club ............................................................ October 13, 14, 15, 1970
The Charlottesville Garden Club .............................................................. May 11, 12, 13, 1971
The Franklin Garden Club .................................................................. October 26, 27, 28, 1971
The Hunting Creek Garden Club ............................................................. May 16, 17, 18, 1972
The Little Garden Club of Winchester ............................................... October 10, 11, 12, 1972
The Lynchburg Garden Club .................................................................... May 15, 16, 17, 1973
Tuckahoe Garden Club of Westhampton .............................................. October 9, 10, 11, 1973
Albemarle Garden Club ............................................................................. May 21, 22, 23, 1974
The Mill Mountain Garden Club ............................................................. October 8, 9,10, 1974
The Garden Club of Alexandria ................................................................ May 13, 14, 15, 1975
Garden Club of the Eastern Shore ...................................................... October 14, 15, 16, 1975
The Rapahannock Valley Garden Club ..................................................... May 11, 12, 13, 1976
Gabriella Garden Club ......................................................................... October 12, 13, 14, 1976
The Virginia Beach Garden Club .............................................................. May 17, 18, 19, 1977
The Petersburg Garden Club .............................................................. October 11, 12, 13, 1977
Hillside Garden Club ................................................................................. May 16, 17, 18, 1978
The Garden Study Club ....................................................................... October 10, 11, 12, 1978
The Boxwood Garden Club ....................................................................... May 15, 16, 17, 1979
The Spotswood Garden Club ................................................................ October 9, 10, 11, 1979
The Garden Club of Fairfax ...................................................................... May 20, 21, 22, 1980
The Blue Ridge Garden Club .............................................................. October 14, 15, 16, 1980
Hampton Roads Garden Club ................................................................... May 19, 20, 21, 1981
The Garden Club of Warren County .................................................. October 13, 14, 15, 1981
The Princess Anne Garden Club ............................. ,................................. May 18, 19, 20, 1982
The Augusta Garden Club ...................................................................... ctober 19, 20, 21, 1982
The Garden Club of the Northern Neck .................................................. May 17, 18, 19, 1983
Winchester-Clarke Garden Club ......................................................... October 11, 12, 13, 1983
The Garden Club of Danville .................................................................... May 15, 16, 17, 1984
The Ashland Garden Club ................................................................... October 16, 17, 18. 1984
Rivanna Garden Club ................................................................................. May 21, 22, 23, 1985
Fauquier and Loudoun Garden Club .................................................. October 15, 16, 17, 1985
Three Chopt Garden Club ........................................................................ May 13, 14, 15, 1986
The Nansemond River Garden Club .................................................. October 14, 15, 16, 1986
Roanoke Valley Garden Club ..................................................................... May 19, 20, 21, 1987

198
 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
 Fol/aw the Green Arrow
APPENDIXV
LIST OF GCV RESTORATIONS
The outstanding work and achievement
of The Garden Club of Virginia has been the
restoration of historic gardens within the
State. This accomplishment has been made
possible through the net proceeds of Historic
Garden Week. Beginning in 1929 the last week
in April has been observed as Historic Gar-
den Week in Virginia when, under the aus-
pices of The Garden Club of Virginia, the
great majority of the historic homes and gar-
dens of the State and a limited number of
modem gardens have been open to the public
on payment of a fee. Over $5 ,000,000 has been
raised from Historic Garden Week and used
to provide proper settings for many of
Virginia's historic landmarks.
1) KENMORE, Fredericksburg, Garden and
grounds, 1929
Betty Washington's Flower Garden, 1941
Landscape Architect: Mr. Charles F.
Gillette
Chairman: Mrs. Thomas W. Wheelwright
Fredericksburg-Wilderness Walk. Tree
Planting Plan, Walk and Terrace
Adjustments, Demonstration
Kitchen Garden, 1992-1996
Landscape Architect: Mr. Rudy J. F avretti
Chairman: Mrs. Paul W. Mengel
2) STRATFORD HALL, Westmoreland
County, Garden 1930-1932
Landscape Architects: Mr. Arthur
Shurcliff and Mr. Morley Williams
200
Chairmen: Mrs. Fairfax Harrison and
Mrs. Thomas R. Boggs
Renovation, 1954-1958
Landscape Architect: Mr. Alden S.
Hopkins
Chairmen: Mrs. A. E. Kendrew and
Mrs. Herbert McK. Smith
3) WOODROW WILSON BIRTH-
PLACE, Staunton, Garden, 1932-1934
Landscape Architect: Mr. Charles F.
Gillette
Chairman: Mrs. Thomas R. Boggs
Brick paths laid, 1960
Landscape Architect: Mr. Charles F.
Gillette
Chairman: Mrs. C. James Andrews
Terraces, 1968
Landscape Architect: Mr. Ralph E.
Griswold
Chairman: Mrs. James Bland Martin
Forecourt and gardens connecting the
Museum with the Emily Smith Reception
Center, 1990
Landscape Architect: Mr. Rudy J. Favretti
Chairmen: Mrs. Robert L. Hopkins, Jr.
and Mrs. H. Gordon Leggett, Jr.
4) LEE CHAPEL, Washington and Lee
University, Lexington.
Planting, 193 3
Landscape Architect: Mr. Charles F.
Gillette
Chairman: Mrs. Thomas R. Boggs
Brick Terrace, 1977
 Appendix V
Landscape Architects: Griswold, Winters
and Swain
Chairman: Mrs. George Moffett Cochran
5) ROLFE-WARREN HOUSE, Smith Fort
Plantation, Surry County. Grounds, 1936
Landscape Architect: Mr. Arthur Shurcliff
Chairman: Mrs. Thomas R. Boggs
6) WILTON, Richmond. Grounds,1936
Landscape Architect: Mr. Arthur Shurcliff
Chairman: Mrs. Thomas R. Boggs
Additional planting, 1959
Pair of iron gates, 1961
Landscape Architect: Mr. Alden S.
Hopkins
7) BRUTON PARISH CHURCH,
Williamsburg. Churchyard, 193 7.
Landscape Architect: Mr. Arthur Shurcliff
Chairman: Mrs. Thomas R. Boggs
8) MARY WASHINGTON MONU-
MENT, Fredericksburg.
Planting, 193 7.
Landscape Architect: Mr. Alden S.
Hopkins
Chairman: Mrs. Thomas R. Boggs
9) MONTICELLO, Charlottesville. Gar-
den, 1939.
Architect: Mr. Fiske Kimball
Planting plans: Mr. Garland W.Wood,Jr.
Chairman: Mrs. Fairfax Harrison
10) CHRIST CHURCH, Middlesex County.
Churchyard 1940.
Chairman: Mrs. Fairfax Harrison
11) FINCASTLE PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH, Botetourt County.
Churchyard, 1942 and 1960.
Chairmen: Mrs. Fairfax Harrison and
Mrs. Frank]. Gilliam
12) BARTER THEATRE, Abingdon.
Planting 1947-1950.
Chairmen: Mrs. D. C. Sands and
Mrs. C. James Andrews
201
13) WEST LAWN, University of Virginia,
Charlottesville.
Five gardens, 1947-1953.
Landscape Architect: Mr. Alden S.
Hopkins
Chairmen: Mrs. D. C. Sands, Mrs. C.
James Andrews
Mrs. Herbert McK. Smith
14) GUNSTON HALL, Fairfax County.
Gardens and grounds, 1947-1954.
Landscape Architect: Mr. Alden S.
Hopkins
Chairmen: Mrs. D. C. Sands, Mrs. C.
Jam es Andrews, Mrs. Herbert McK.
Smith, Mrs. Frank]. Gilliam
15) WOODLAWN PLANTATION, Fairfax
County, Gardens and grounds, 1953-1960.
Landscape Architect: Mr. Alden S.
Hopkins
Chairmen: Mrs. Frank]. Gilliam, Mrs. A.
E. Kendrew, Mrs. Herbert McK. Smith
Orchard paths laid, 1967.
Chairman: Mrs.Jam es Bland Martin
Kitchen garden, 1974.
Chairman: Mrs. Lucius J. Kellam
Visitors Reception Center, 1977.
Landscape Architect: Mr. Meade Palmer
Chairman: Mrs. George Moffett Cochran
16) ADAM THOROUGHGOOD HOUSE,
Princess Anne County.
Garden, 1958-1960.
Landscape Architect: Mr. Alden S.
Hopkins
Chairman: Mrs. C. James Andrews
17) EAST LAWN, University of Virginia,
Charlottesville.
Five gardens, 1960-1965.
Landscape Architects: Mr. Alden S.
Hopkins, Mr. Donald H. Parker, Mr.
Ralph E. Griswold
Chairmen: Mrs. Frank J. Gilliam, Mrs.
Thomas E. Thorne, Mrs. Burdette S.
Wright
 Follow the Green Arrow
18) ST. JOHN'S MEWS, Richmond, 1964-
1967.
Landscape Architect: Mr. Ralph E.
Griswold
Chairman: Mrs. Burdette S. Wright
l 9)HISTORIC CHRIST CHURCH,
Lancaster County.
Churchyard, 1966-1968.
Landscape Architect: Mr. Ralph E.
Griswold
Chairman: Mrs. James Bland Martin
20) MARY WASHINGTON HOUSE,
Fredericksburg. Garden 1968-1969.
Landscape Architect: Mr. Ralph E.
Griswold
Chairman: Mrs. Wyatt Aiken Williams
21) SCOTCHTOWN, Hanover County.
Landscape Setting, 1968-1971.
Landscape Architects: Griswold, Winters
& Swain
Chairmen: Mrs. Wyatt Aiken Williams
and Mrs. Thomas E. Thorne
22) BURWELL-MORGAN MILL, Clarke
County.
Landscape setting. 1971-1973.
Landscape Architects: Griswold, Winters
& Swain
Chairmen: Mrs. Thomas E. Thorne, Mrs.
Lucius]. Kellam
23) KENT-VALENTINE HOUSE, Rich-
mond. Grounds,1972-1973.
Landscape Architects: Griswold, Winters
& Swain
Chairman: Mrs. Lucius J. Kellam
24) NORTH FORECOURT OF THE RO-
TUNDA, University of Virginia.
Charlottesville, 1977.
Landscape Architects: Mr.]. Patrick Gra-
ham rv, Ms. Nancy Tagahaski, and the
University Planning Office
Chairman: Mrs. George Moffett Cochran
2 5) POINT OF HONOR, Lynchburg.
Landscape restored, 1978.
202
Landscape Architect: Mr. Meade Palmer
Chairman: Mrs. George Moffett Cochran
26) CENTRE HILL MANSION, Peters-
burg. Immediate grounds and approach
landscaped, 1980.
Landscape Architect: Mr. Rudy]. Favretti
Chairman: Mrs. George H. Flowers, Jr.
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.
28) HISTORIC PORTSMOUTH COURT-
HOUSE, Portsmouth. Courthouse yard,
1979-1982.
Landscape Architect: Mr.] .P.C. Hanbury
Consulting Landscape Architect: Mr.
Rudy]. Favretti Chairmen: Mrs. George
H. Flowers,] r., Mrs. Toy D. Savage, Jr.
29) KERR PLACE, Onancock. Grounds and
Gardens, 1982.
Landscape Architect: Mr. Rudy J. F avretti
Chairman: Mrs. Toy D. Savage, Jr.
30) SMITHFIELD PLANTATION,
Blacksburg. Fences, walks and colonial
kitchen garden, 1982-1984.
Landscape Architect: Mr. Rudy J. Favretti
Chairmen: Mrs. Toy D. Savage, Jr., Mrs.
William L. Gilliam,] r.
3 l)BELLE GROVE PLANTATION,
Middletown. Landscape Interpretation,
1983-1986
Landscape Architect: Mr. Rudy]. Favretti
Chairmen: Mrs. William L. Gilliam, Jr.,
Mrs. Henley L. Guild
32) BACON'S CASTLE, Surry. Site Archae-
ology, 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
33) VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY,
Richmond.
Tree plantings, 1989, 1991
Landscape Architect: Mr. Rudy J. Favretti
Chairmen: Mrs. Robert L. Hopkins, Jr.,
Mrs. H . Gordon Leggett, Jr.
34) GRACE ARENTS GARDEN-LEWIS
GINTER BOTANICAL GARDEN,
Richmond. Restored formal garden with
arbors, seated trellises and garden house,
1990.
Landscape Architect: Mr. Rudy J. Favretti
Chairmen: Mrs. Robert L. Hopkins, Jr.,
Mrs. H. Gordon Leggett, Jr. · printing-198 5.
Special gifts:
1940 - HAMMOND-HARWOOD HOUSE,
Annapolis, Contribution.
1941 - BRITISH MOBILE KITCHEN.
1941 - Rehabilitation work at PLYMOUTH,
ENGLAND.
1950 - ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, Richmond,
Churchyard.
(Through Massie-Christian fund)
1974- Publication of book,
197 6 HISTORIC VIRGINIA GARDENS, by
Dorothy Hunt Williams in collabora-
tion with Ralph E. Griswold. Second

35) CARLYLE HOUSE, Alexandria. Front Refurbishing of previous restorations

landscape, interpretive signs, indoor inter-
pretive exhibit, 1991.
Landscape Architect: Mr. Rudy J. F avretti
Chairmen: Mrs. Lilburn T. Talley, Mrs.
Robert L. Hopkins, Jr., Mrs. H. Gordon
Leggett, Jr.
for the 197 6 Bicentennial.
1989 - Contribution to the City of Charles-
ton, South Carolina, for the replace-
ment of trees following the devastation
of HURRICANE HUGO.

36) MONTPELIER Orange. Restoration of 1993- Publication of book, GARDENS &

terraced wall gardens and repainting of LANDSCAPES of VIRGINIA, Photog-
brick wall, 1992. raphy by Richard Cheek. Text by Rudy
Landscape Architect: Mr. Rudy J. F avretti ]. Favretti.
Chairman: Mrs. H. Gordon Leggett, Jr.

37) ROBERT E. LEE HOUSE, Lexington.

A public garden for Washington and Lee
University. 1992 .
Landscape Architect: Mr. Rudy J . F avretti
Chairmen: Mrs. H. Gordon Leggett, Jr.,
Mrs. Benjamin W. Mears, Jr.

38) BELMONT, Falmouth. Grounds at the

home of the artist, Gari Melchers, 1992
Landscape Architect: Mr. Rudy J. F avretti
Chairmen: Mrs. H. Gordon Leggett, Jr.,
Mrs. Benjamin W. Mears, Jr.

39) OATLANDS, Leesburg. Restored His-

toric Wall, 1991-1992.
Landscape Architect: Mr. Rudy J . F avretti
Chairman: Mrs. H. Gordon Leggett, Jr.

203
 Follow the Green Arrow
APPENDIX VI
ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS and WINNERS
FOR ALL PREVIOUS WINNERS OF
AWARDS, SEE THE APPENDIXES: FOL-
LOW THE GREENARROWTHE HISTORY
OF THE GARDEN CLUB OF VIRGINIA
1920-1970.
MASSIE MEDAL: (First awarded in 1929)
The Distinguished Achievement Medal, a
memorial to Mrs. William R. Massie, Honor-
ary President of The Garden Club of Virginia,
may be awarded, when merited, to a member
of a Member Club of The Garden Club of
Virginia, (including Honorary Members) or
to a Member Club of The Garden Club of
Virginia.
The recipient, in the judgment of the Com-
mittee, must have done outstanding work in
gardening, served The Garden Club of Vir-
ginia with unusual dedication and distinction,
improved the quality of life or have been ef-
fective in the protection, restoration, or pres-
ervation of the natural beauties of our Com-
monwealth.
The Medal has been awarded to:
1970-Mrs. James Bland Martin of
Gloucester "for her leadership, devotion and
dedication" and in recognition of her services
in writing Follow The Green Arrow, The His-
tory ofThe Garden Club of Virginia, 1920-1970.
1971-Mrs. Howard B. Bloomer, Jr., of
Lorton in recognition of her international
achievements in the growing and exhibiting
of daffodils.
1972-The Rappahannock Valley Garden
Club of Fredericksburg for creating and plant-
204
ing the Rising Sun Tavern Garden.
1973-Mrs. Robert Miller Jeffress of Rich-
mond for her abiding appreciation of our heri-
tage from the past, for her vision, her gentle
persuasion, her generosity and her many con-
tributions to the University of Virginia and to
our Commonwealth.
1974---Mrs. George H. Flowers,Jr., for her
dedicated service and leadership in the com-
munity and in The Garden Club of Virginia
and for her vision and work as the guiding
spirit of the Kent-Valentine House.
197 5-Mrs.James F. Birchfield for her out-
standing accomplishment in the field of hor-
ticulture, particularly in the growing of lilies
and daffodils, and for her energetic work and
generous sharing of knowledge with other
gardeners.
1976-Mrs. Wyatt Aiken Williams "for her
long and distinguished service and for the
unselfish use of her time and talents in pub-
lishing Historic Virginia Gardens, the history
and blueprints of all gardens restored by The
Garden Club of Virginia, 1929-1973."
1977-The Blue Ridge Garden Club of
Lexington for their creation and maintenance
of the Bertha Whitney Townes Memorial
Courtyard Garden at the Stonewall Jackson
Hospital, Lexington.
1978-Mrs. Arthur A. Dugdale of Ashland
for outstanding achievement in horticulture
and stimulation of knowledge and love of gar-
dening among others.
1979-Mrs. Douglas H. Patteson-Knight
of Fairfax for her exceptional knowledge of
 Appendix VI
horticulture and her readiness to teach and
help others.
1980-Mrs. George Moffett Cochran of
Staunton for her outstanding dedication, lead-
ership 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 devo-
tion, constancy, knowledge and wit."
1982-Mrs. F. Whitney Godwin of Suf-
folk 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 Rich-
mond ... "the success of Garden Week is due
in large part to her editorial expertise, instinc-
tive 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 Al-
exandria 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 ac-
complishments in gardening, horticulture and
flower exhibiting.
1990-Mrs. Lucius J. Kellam of the East-
ern 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-
205
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 con-
tinuing involvement which is of inestimable
value to The Garden Club of Virginia."
DeLACY GRAY MEDAL:
The Conservation Medal, a memorial to
Mrs. Leslie H. (deLacy) Gray, given by the
Dolley Madison Garden Club of Orange, may
be awarded to an individual member or indi-
vidual club of Th~ Garden Club of Virginia.
The recipient must, in the judgment of the
committee, have rendered outstanding service
in the dissemination of knowledge of the natu-
ral resources of the Commonwealth of Vir-
ginia, and the conservation and wise develop-
ment of such resources. This medal was first
awarded in 1965.
This Medal has been awarded to:
1970-Boxwood Garden Club in the name
of Mrs.George H. Flowers, Jr. and Mrs. Wil-
liam A. Johns for their outstanding effort in
promoting interest and educating citizens in
the conservation and beautification of the
James River in the Metropolitan Richmond
area.
1971-Mrs. Claude B. Harris of the Gar-
den Club of Warren County for her outstand-
ing efforts in the field of highway beautifica-
tion, her activities in Virginia water pollution
control and in recognition of the national
awards she has received including a presiden-
tial commendation for community service.
1972-Mrs. William T. Reed, Jr. of the
James River Garden Club for her many
achievements in the field of conservation, in-
 Follow the Green Arrow
eluding service on local, state and national
boards which advance conservation and for
making her home, Sabot Hill Farm, a show-
place of good conservation practices.
1973-Mrs. E. Polk Kellam of The Gar-
den Club of the Eastern Shore for placing ser-
vice to humanity ahead of personal recogni-
tion in her untiring efforts and many outstand-
ing accomplishments in the field of conserva-
tion.
1974-Mrs. Mayor Farthing Fogler ofThe
Garden Club of Norfolk and The Virginia
Beach Garden Club for years of devotion to
the conservation of Virginia's beauty and natu-
ral resources and for special dedication to the
preservation of the coastal areas.
197 5-Mrs. B. Powell Harrison for her
dedicated and effective work to protect the
natural resources of the Commonwealth, and
for her years of service in the promotion of
recycling and reuse, of environmental educa-
tion and of legialation to preserve the beauty
of the land.
197 6--Miss Elisabeth Aiken Nolting of the
Rivanna Garden Club for her dedicated and
effective work in preserving historic Green
Springs Valley from twentieth century en-
croachment.
1977-Mrs. Georgia Shrum Brown for her
outstanding efforts in furthering the knowl-
edge of our natural resources, and encourag-
ing their wise use.
1978-Mrs. Hope Wallach Porter for her
continuing actions against opposing forces in
the struggle to preserve and maintain the qual-
ity oflife enjoyed in Fauquier County.
1979-Mrs.John E. Clarkson ofThe Gar-
den Club of Norfolk for her extraordinary ef-
forts as a dedicated and effective speaker for
the cause of conservation and for the protec-
tion of Virginia's coastal resources.
1980-Mrs. Stewart Bell, Jr., of The Little
Garden Club of Winchester for her total and
tireless dedication to the cause of highway
beautification.
1981-Mrs. William R. Miller, Jr., of The
Princess Anne Garden Club for her leader-
ship in the promotion of environmental edu-
cation.
1982-Beulah Rennolds Burke of The
206
James River Garden Club for her outstand-
ing effort in conserving and developing the
natural resources of Maymont Park in Rich-
mond.
1983-Mrs. John M. Chaney of the Mill
Mountain Garden Club as a leader dedicated
to the causes of conservation and beautifica-
tion.
1984-Elizabeth Pinkerton Scott of the
Albemarle Garden Club for her vision and
leadership in conservation and beautification.
1985-Mrs. Edgar B. Wertheimer, Jr. of
theHampton Roads Garden Club for her re-
markable service in the dissemination of
knowledge of environmental problems to her
club and to her community.
1986-Mrs. James W Denton of Front
Royal, author and photographer of ""Wild-
flowers of the Potomac Appalachians-a
Hilker's Guide".
1987-Mrs. John W Clark of The Gar-
den Study Club for her lifelong dedication to
the beautification of Martinsville.
1988-Mrs. S. W: Rawls, Jr. a dedicated
conservationist who, during her lifetime,
opened her home to young people for the
study of conservation and horticulture.
1989-Mrs. James C. Godwin of The
Nansemond River Garden Club for inspired
leadership in conservation, accomplished with
humor, intelligence and vision.
1990-The Lynchburg Garden Club for
the miracle wrought by Operation Plant-A-
Tree. Nominated by Hillside Garden Club.
1991-Mrs. Robert Carter, a tireless vi-
sionary who, with endless energy and stew-
ardship, has served as a catalyst for environ-
mental action in Virginia and indeed, across
the nation.
1992-Mrs. Russell Arundel of
Warrenton-a conservation leader who dem-
onstrates a love for the natural environment
and a responsibility for its preservation.
1993-Mrs. C. F. Urquhart, Jr. of the
Franklin Garden Club for her many achieve-
ments in education, conservation, and horti-
culture, and for her generosity in sharing her
knowledge with others.
1994-No Award.
199 5-Bunny Murray (Mrs. Jam es B.
 Appendix VI
Murray) of the Albemarle Garden Club for
her devotion to the cause of conservation with
enthusiasm, intelligence and skill.
COMMON WEALTH AWARD:
The Common Wealth Award was estab-
lished at the Annual Meeting, May 1979, to
provide an annual grant or grants, when mer-
ited, and to promote projects in the areas of
conservation, beautification, horticulture,
preservation and education. These projects
may be sponsored by a committee or a mem-
ber club of The Garden Club of Virginia.
The Award has been made to:
1980-The Blue Ridge Garden Club of
Lexington for landscaping the entrance to the
C. & 0. Walking Trail.
1981-The Princess Anne Garden Club of
Virginia Beach for "Educating Youth for En-
vironmental Service."
1982-Leesburg Garden Club for land-
scaping at Douglass Community Center and
Park, a park for all ages.
1983-The Conservation and Beautifica-
tion Committee of The Garden Club of Vir-
ginia for Welcome to Virginia planting areas.
1984-The Garden Club of Fairfax for
landscaping at Northern Virginia Center for
Mentally Retarded.
1985-Hillside Garden Club for comple-
tion of Anne Spencer Garden in Lynchburg.
1986- The Garden Club of Warren
County, Front Royal, for the Belle Boyd Cot-
tage Gardens Project.
1987-Rivanna Garden Club of
Charlottesville for the Miller School Arbore-
tum.
1988-Mill Mountain Garden Club of
Roanoke for the Mill Mountain Wildflower
Garden.
1989-The Garden Club of the Eastern
Shore for Scholarships to Port Isobel.
1990-The Virginia Beach Garden Club
for Wildflowers By the Sea, an educational
project at the Virginia Marine Science Mu-
seum.
1991-Huntington Garden Club of
Hampton-Newport News for its Backyard
Habitat project at the Virginia Living Mu-
207
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 sec-
ond-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 preser-
vation and clearing at Rosewell.
1985-The Garden Club of the Eastern
Shore for landscaping the Eastern Shore Pub-
lic 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-Can-
terbury Retirement Community.
1992-The Rappahannock Valley Garden
Club of Fredericksburg for landscaping the
Central Rappahannock Regional Library.
 Follow the Green Arrow
THE HORTICULTURE
AWARDS OF MERIT
These awards, established in 1960, may be
presented by the Horticulture Committee for
outstanding achievements in horticulture.
Recipients are selected from entries submit-
ted by member clubs. The awards have been
given to:
1970 -
Mrs. Francis H. McGovern, Danville
Mrs. Henry J. Richardson, Eastern Shore
Mrs.John W. Clarke, Garden Study
Mrs. Elias Richards, Jr., Hillside
Mrs. Hamilton Baskerville, James River
Mrs. W. Hugh Peal, Leesburg
Mrs. Alexander Hamilton, Jr., Petersburg
Mrs. Landon Hillard, Virginia Beach
1971 -
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur A. Dugdale, Ashland
Mrs. Wyatt A. Williams, Dolley Madison
Mrs. Harold L. Turner, Eastern Shore
Mrs. Philip Minor, James River
Ms.Jane Q. Saunders, Tuckahoe
1972 -
Mrs. W. Dimmack Buxton, Albemarle
Mrs. Frederick Reaves, Boxwood
Mrs. William S. Peebles, Brunswick
Mrs. Francis B. Hastings, Dolley Madison
Mrs. Tazewell M. Carrington III, James
River
Mrs. Levin]. Houston III, Rappahannock
Valley
Miss Jean Printz, Rivanna
Mrs. Edmund T. Morris, Jr.,
Roanoke Valley
Mrs. William J. Catlett, Warrenton
1973 -
Mrs. Franklin M. Hanger, Augusta
Mrs. Charles Pozer, Fairfax
Mrs. Raymond Brown, Gloucester
Mrs. J. Barnett Hodges, Hillside
Mrs. Paul E. Sackett, Hillside
Mrs. Thomas Newman, Huntington
Mrs. B. Armistead Burke, James River
Mrs. Herbert A. Davies, Mill Mountain
Mrs. Barron F. Black, Norfolk
Miss Elisabeth A. Nolting, Rivanna
208
1974-
Mrs. W. Bedford Moore III, Albemarle
Mrs. William J. Perry, Augusta
Mrs. Hunter McClung, Blue Ridge
Mrs.John T. Ramey, Fauquier and
Loudoun
Mrs. Robert W. Massie III, Lynchburg
Judge and Mrs. M. Dirk A. Kuyk,
Mill Mountain
Mrs. Albert Gibbs, Princess Anne
Mrs. Edmund P. Goodwin, Roanoke Valley
Mrs. T. Coleman Andrews, Jr., Tuckahoe
Mrs. Arthur D. Strong, Williamsburg
1975 -
Mrs.James B. Murray, Jr., Albemarle
Mrs. T. Austin Sydnor, Albemarle
Mrs. Howard T. Holden, Augusta
Mrs. Whitehead Motley, Chatham
Mrs. Thomas Roy Jones, Gloucester
Col. Robert S. Pickens, Leesburg
Mrs.John 0. Simpson, Jr., Lynchburg
Mrs.Jesse W. Beams, Rivanna
1976 -
Mrs. Albert R. Gillespie, Augusta
Mrs. Richard Croxton, Danville
Mrs. Atwell W. Somerville,
Dolley Madison
Mrs. Paul W. Mengel, Gabriella
Mrs. James T. DeAlba, Huntington
Mrs. Wesley B. Jones, Princess Anne
Mrs. Robert H. Payne, Warren County
Mrs. Baxter I. Bell, Williamsburg
1977 -
Mrs. Lawrence G. Fehrenbaker, Danville
Mrs. Chester B. deGavre, Eastern Shore
Mrs. William Roberts Scott, Fairfax
Mrs. Elijah Baker III, Hampton Roads
Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Howell, Hillisde
Mrs. Robert W. Massie III, Lynchburg
Mrs.James N. Carter, Northern Neck
Mrs. Hill Beverly Wellford, Rappahannock
Valley
1978 -
Mrs. Harry T. Marshall, Jr., Albemarle
Mr. and Mrs. Louis Wright, Ashland
Miss Margaret Davis, Blue Ridge
Mrs. Charles C. Broaddus, Jr., Chatham
Mrs. W. Hugh Peal, Leesburg
Mrs. 0. Blackwell Brown
Mrs. Thomas B. Scott, Jr., Tuckahoe
 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, Winchester-
Clarke
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 -
209
Mrs. Nathan H. Bundy, Norfolk
Mrs. William Edwards, Rivanna
1985 -
Flavienne Gaubert Crenshaw, Alexandria
Mrs. Wilfred T. Grenfell, Jr.,
Dolley Madison
Elizabeth Christian Galloway, Hillside
Patricia Mann Crenshaw, Hunting Creek
1986 -
Leslie Smith Ariail, Alexandria
Mrs. Lockwood Frizzell, Charlottesville
Katherine Lewis Pickett, Gloucester
Joan Taylor, Norfolk
Joan Ray Hayes, Princess Anne
1987 -
Mrs.James M . Rowley,
Fauquier and Loudoun
Sarah Townsend Harrison, Jam es River
Mina Walker Wood, Lynchburg
Virginia Numez Harlow, Nansemond
River
Marian Rose Abbitt, Williamsburg
1988 -
Mrs. Allen A. Atwood, Alexandria
Mrs. Clayton B. Tasker, Hunting Creek
Elizabeth Cocke Winfree, Mill Mountain
1989 -
Doris Haines Dixon, Augusta
Georgia Bahnsen Fuson, Gloucester
Ellen Margaret Richards, Warren County
1990 -
Mrs. Robert F. Gillespie, Jr.,
Dolley Madison
Mrs. Leroy Glover, Gloucester
Sophie Knox Clagett, Hunting Creek
Toni Weber Piggott, Lynchburg
Martha Irby Kitchen, Rivanna
Lee Bowman Moomaw, Virginia Beach
1991 -
Kate ScottJacobs, Eastern Shore
Elizabeth Veeneman Hamilton, James
River
Katherine B. Kingsley, Leesburg
Emily Ann Mason, Mill Mountain
Barbara Sanders Booth, Spotswood
Mrs. Arthur L. Smith, Williamsburg
1992 -
Mary Glen Boyd Taylor, Boxwood
Elizabeth Wilson Whitehead, Chatham
Mrs. Ronald]. Woodaman, Fairfax
 Follow the Green Arrow
Joanne McClellan Bartlett, Gloucester
Perkins Morton Flippin, Lynchburg
Elizabeth Baugh Towers,Tuckahoe
Mr. and Mrs.John McCullough Hodgson,
Virginia Beach
Charlotte Delano Hundley, Northern
Neck
1993 -
Bettina Balding Blackford, Albemarle
Margaret Parsons Dickinson, Eastern
Shore
Ann Mari Horkan, Fauquier and Loudoun
Sharon Williams Scott, Gabriella
Lulie Murchison Eggleston,
Mill Mountain
Anne Rixey Ruffin, Norfolk
Jeannie Weatherford Drescher,
Princess Anne
Annabel Callister Josephs, Three Chopt
Gale Abbott Roberts, Williamsburg
1994 -
Georgia S. Vance, Alexandria
Suzanne van Kesteren Tankard, Eastern
Shore
Joy Peebles Massie, James River
Barbara Pratt Willis, Rappahannock
Valley
Frances Radish Boninti, Rivanna
Elizabeth Brown Watts, Roanoke Valley
Julia Carpenter Stickley, Spotswood
Judith Burch Geddy, Warren County
1995 -
Beverly Wood Hereford, Albemarle
Elizabeth Thompson Herbert,
Fauquier and Loudoun
Elizabeth Rawles Cronly, Jam es River
Gina M. Rawles, James River
Marika A. Rawles, James River
Elizabeth Hock Boxley, Mill Mountain
Ora Nell Paige, Rivanna
Joan Seltzer Semple, Warrenton
Fannie Richardson Williams,
Williamsburg
THE GARDEN CLUB OF VIRGINIA
AWARD FOR MERITORIOUS
ACHIEVEMENT IN CONSERVATION:
This award is presented at the Conserva-
tion Forum and may be given, when merited,
210
for outstanding accomplishment in conserva-
tion to an industry, organization or individual
not a member of The Garden Club of Vir-
ginia.
The Award has been given to:
1974--The Union Camp Corporation for
its gift of fifty thousand acres in the Dismal
Swamp through the Nature Conservancy to
the U. S. Department of the Interior for op-
eration as a wildlife refuge.
197 5-Mrs. Hiram B. Ely for her leader-
ship in the fight to preserve the Green Springs
Historic District.
1976-1977-No Award.
1978-Dr. E. Spencer Wise of Christopher
Newport College for his unselfish service to
the Commonwealth of Virginia and for timely
and constructive action in the conservation of
our natural resources.
1978-Danville Group, Dan River, Inc. for
improvement of the environment and conser-
vation of resources. Programs included man-
agement planning, allocation of funds, exten-
sive engineering and implementation.
1979-The Reynolds Metals Company for
conservation of natural resources and energy
through its aluminum recycling program and
for beautification and preservation of the
Kanawha Canal Locks.
1980-No Award.
1981-Virginia Department of Highways
for highway beautification.
1982-Xerox Training Center in Loudoun
County for unselfish service to the Common-
wealth of Virginia and for timely and construc-
tive action in beautification and environmen-
tal preservation.
1982-Mr. Theodore G. Scott, Jr. of Or-
ange County for his educational programs on
the consequences of uranium mining in Vir-
ginia.
1983-Mr. Bartow H. Bridges, Jr. of Vir-
ginia Beach for his unselfish contribution in
conservation, beautification and environmen-
tal preservation.
1983-Federated Garden Clubs of Vir-
ginia, Inc., for their unselfish contribution to
environmental education of young people in
the establishment and continuation of Nature
Camp at Vesuvius, Va.
 Appendix VI
1984--Miss Gisela Grimm for her work
in planning and creating the Wildflower Pre-
serve 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 bring-
ing 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 environ-
ment of the Potomac River, an example for
the lumber industry.
1987-Gordon W. Shelton, Fred-
ericksburg City Councilman and environmen-
tal 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 con-
servation.
1990-Reynolds Metals Company of Rich-
mond 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
a leader in the critical area of recycling.
1992-Union Camp Corporation of
Franklin for its new chlorine-free pulp bleach-
ing system built into its fine Paper Division
plants in Franklin and Eastover, South Caro-
lina.
1992-Newport News Shipbuilding and
Drydock Company for its systematic and com-
prehensive landscaping project, begun more
than ten years ago, to transform the ugly duck-
ling of its industrial site and environs into a
lovely, flourishing swan.
1993-Brenda Scanelli, Brownie Troop
#328, Norfolk, for planting a memorial gar-
den on the site of an 1858 mass grave of Yel-
low Fever victims.
1993-Edwin E. Rodgers, retired State
Forestry official, for promoting conservation
and for the creation of Smokey the Bear.
1993-Friends of the Rappahannock for
preserving, protecting and for disseminating
information about the State Scenic River.
1994-- No award.
1995- Winkler Botanical Preserve, Alex-
andria, Virginia, a forty-three-acre tract of
land in Alexandria, which is dedicated to the
study and conservation of the flowers, trees
and plants of the Potomac Valley Region.
Mrs. Lynn Davis, who has worked to pro-
tect the viewsheds of the Blue Ridge Parkway
and, as a founding member of the Valley Beau-
tiful Foundation, worked to make the Roanoke
Valley an even more beautiful place.
Mr. T. Ashby Watts III, for his efforts in
transforming the Lynchburg Expressway from
a wasteland into a beautiful green corridor.
 Follow the Green Arrow

APPENDIX VII
FLOWER SHOWS: SPONSORING CLUBS

DAFFODIL SHOWS: 33th. 1975 Ashland, Ashland

36th. 1970 Fredericksburg, Rappahannock 34th. 1976 Ashland, Ashland
Valley 35th. 1977 Charlottesville, Rivanna
37th. 1971 Danville, Danville 36th. 1978 Charlottesville, Rivanna
38th. 1972 Danville, Danville 37th. 1979 Middleburg, Leesburg, Fauquier
39th. 1973 Gloucester, Gloucester and Loudoun
40th. 1974 Gloucester, Gloucester 38th. 1980 Leesburg, Leesburg, Fauquier
4lth. 1975 Warsaw, Northern Neck and Loudoun
42th. 1976 Warsaw, Northern Nack 39th. 1981 Warrenton, Warrenton
4 3th. 1977 Roanoke, Mill Mountain 40th. 1982 Orange, Dolley Madison
44th. 1978 Roanoke, Mill Mountain 41 th. 1983 Chatham, Chatham
45th. 1979 Lynchburg, Lynchburg 42th. 1984 Chatham, ~hatham
46th. 1980 Lynchburg, Lynchburg 43th. 1985 Alexandria, Hunting Creek
47th. 1981 Suffolk, Nansemond River 44th. 1986 Alexandria, Hunting Creek
48th. 1982 Portsmouth, Elizabeth River 45th. 1987 Winchester, Little Garden Club
49th. 1983 Franklin, Franklin 46th. 1988 Winchester, Little Garden Club
50th. 1984 Charlottesville, Charlottesville 47th. 1989 Front Royal, Garden Club of
51 th. 1985 Charlottesville, Albemarle Warren County
52th. 1986 Martinsville, Martinsville 48th. 1990 Front Royal, Garden Club of
53th. 1987 Martinsville, Martinsville Warren County
54th. 1988 Danville, Gabriella 49th. 1991 Fairfax, Garden Club of Fairfax
55th. 1989 Danville, Gabriella 50th. 1992 Fairfax, Garden Club of Fairfax
56th. 1990 Roanoke, Mill Mountain 51 th. 1993 Orange, Dolley Madison
57th. 1991 Roanoke, Mill Mountain 52th. 1994 Orange, Dolley Madison
58th. 1992 Harrisonburg, Spotswood 53th. 1995 Charlottesville, Rivanna
59th. 1993 Harrisonburg, Spotswood 54th. 1996 Charlottesville, Rivanna
60th. 1994 Ashland, Ashland
61 th. 1995 Ashland, Ashland ROSE SHOWS:
34th. 1970 Chatham, Chatham
LILY SHOWS: 35th. 1971 Richmond, Boxwood
28th. 1970 Front Royal, Warren County 36th. 1972 Richmond, Three Chopt
29th. 1971 Harrisonburg, Spotswood 37th. 1973 Fairfax, Garden Club of Fairfax
30th. 1972 Harrisonburg, Spotswood 38th. 1974 Millwood, Winchester-Clarke
31th. 1973 Lexington, Blue Ridge 39th. 197 5 Lawrenceville, Brunswick
32th. 1974 Lexington, Blue Ridge 40th. 197 6 Roanoke, Roanoke Valley

212
 Appendix VII
41 th. 1977 Williamsburg, Williamsburg 51 th. 1987 Lynchburg, Hillside
42th. 1978 Williamsburg, Williamsburg 52th. 1988 Lynchburg, Hillside
43th. 1979 Alexandria, Alexandria 53th. 1989 Richmond, Boxwood
44th. 1980 Alexandria, Alexandria 54th. 1990 Northern Neck, Garden Club
45th. 1981 Richmond, James River and of Northern Neck
Tuckahoe of Westhampton 55th. 1991 Northern Neck, Garden Club
46th. 1982 Richmond, James River and of Northern Neck
Tuckahoe of Westhampton 56th. 1992 Virginia Beach, Princess Anne
47th. 1983 Petersburg, Petersburg Garden Club
48th. 1984 Norfolk, Norfolk 57th. 1993 Virginia Beach, Princess Anne
49th. 1985 Fredericksburg, Rappahannock · Garden Club
Valley 58th. 1994 Winchester, Winchester-Clarke
50th. 1986 Fredricksburg, Rappahannock 59th. 1995 Winchester, Winchester-Clarke
Valley 60th. 1996 Hampton, Hampton Roads

213
 Follow the Green Arrow

APPENDIX VIII
FLOWER SHOW AWARDS and WINNERS

THE ELEANOR TRUAX HARRIS 1986 No award

CHALLENGE CUPS: 1987 No award
The Eleanor Truax Harris Challenge 1988 Mrs. Kit Pannill, Martinsville and
Cups were established in 193 7 as a personal Garden Study Club
memorial to Mrs. Floyd Harris, and stand as 1989 Mrs.]. Robert Walker, Martinsville
an expression of the great love of The Gar- 1990 Mrs. William Pannill, Martinsville and
den Club of Virginia for the personality of James River
Mrs. Harris, and as a tribute to her leadership 1991 Mrs. Lockwood Frizzell,
in horticultural enterprises. Charlottesville
One of three cups of old Georgian design 1992 No award
is awarded annually, if merited, for the best 1993 No award
horticultural achievement made by a member 1994 No award
of The Garden Club of Virginia at each of the 1995 Mrs. K. B. Kingsley, Leesburg
three annual shows-the Daffodil Show, the
Rose Show, and the Lily Show. The winner LILY:
holds the cup for a year. 1970 Mrs. Wyatt Aiken Williams, Dolley
These cups were first awarded in 193 8: Madison
1971 No award
DAFFODIL: 1972 Mrs. John T. Ramey, Fauquier and
1970,1971 No award Loudoun
1972 Mrs. J. Robert Walker, Martinsville 1973 Mrs. Percy Rogers, Warren County
1973 Mrs. Robert Wheat III, Northern 1974 Mrs.John T. Ramey, Fauquier and
Neck Loudoun
1974 Mrs. Raymond W. Lewis, Gloucester 197 5 Mrs. Percy L. Rogers, Warren County
197 5 Mrs. J. Robert Walker, Martinsville 1976,1977 No award
1976 No award 1978 Mrs. W.W. Sproul, Augusta
1977 Mrs. J. Robert Walker, Martinsville 1979,1980 No award
1978 No award 1981 Mrs. W. W. Sproul, Augusta
1979 Mrs. J. Robert Walker, Martinsville 1982,1983 No award
1980 Mrs. F. Paul Turner, Martinsville 1984,1985 No award
1981 No award 1986,1987 No award
1982 No award 1988,1989 No award
1983 No award 1990,1991 No award
1984 Mrs. J. Robert Walker, Martinsville 1992,1993 No award
1985 No award 1994 No award

214
 Appendix VIII
1995 No award 1995 No award

ROSE: THE KATHERINE LEADBEATER

1970 Mrs. Thomas R. Towers, Tuckahoe BLOOMER PERPETUAL AWARD
1971 No award This award was given by Mrs. Karl F. Hehl
1972 Mrs.John Elliott, Jr., Fairfax and Mrs. 0. H. Patteson-Knight in recogni-
1973,1976 No award tion of the many contributions made by Mrs.
1977 Mrs. D. B. Tankard, Eastern Shore Bloomer to further the interest in daffodils by
1978 Mrs. Charles Broadus, Jr., Chatham members of The Garden Club of Virginia.
1979 Mrs. Charles Broadus, Jr., Chatham This award was first given in 1977:
1980 No award
1981 Mrs. FrankM. Lusk, Eastern Shore 1977 Mr. William Pannill, Martinsville
1982,1983 No award 1978 Mrs. J. Robert Walker, Martinsville
1984 Mrs. David B. Tankard, Eastern Shore 1979 Mrs. J. Robert Walker, Martinsville
1985,1987 No award 1980 Mrs. J. Robert Walker, Martinsville
1988 Mrs. 0. H. Eure, Tuckahoe 1981 No award
1989 Mrs. Frank M. Lusk, Eastern Shore 1982 Mrs. J. Robert Walker, Martinsville
1990,1992 No award 1983 Mrs. Daniel K. Critz, Martinsville
1993 Mrs. David B. Tankard, Eastern Shore 1984 Mrs. Isaac M. Zigler, Warren County
1994, 1995 No award 1985 No award
1986 Mrs. Raymond W Lewis, Gloucester
THE MARY McDERMOTT BEIRNE 1987 Mrs. Raymond W Lewis, Gloucester
CHALLENGE BOWL: 1988 Mrs. Kit Pannill, Martinsville and
The Mary McDermott Beirns Challenge James River
Bowl to be given annually at the Daffodil Show 1989 Mrs. Kit Pannill, Martinsville and
of The Garden Club ofVirginia and to be held James River
for one year. This award was given in 1966 by 1990 Mrs. Kit Pannill, Martinsville and
The Ashland Garden Club to honor Miss James River
Bierne, a pioneer in hybridizing and cultivat- 1991 Mrs. Kit Pannill, Martinsville and
ing daffodils in Virginia. This award was first James River
given in 1968. 1992 Mrs. Katherine Kingsley, Leesburg
1993 Mrs. George W Burton, Winchester-
1969,1972 No award Clarke
1973 Mrs. E. Ashton Sale, Martinsville 1994 Mrs. W. John Matheson, Gloucester
1974 Mrs. E. Ashton Sale, Martinsville 1995 Mrs. Lockwood Frizzell,
197 5 Mrs. J. Robert Walker, Martinsville Charlottesville
1976 No award
1977 Mrs. J. Robert Walker, Martinsville THE EDITH HARRISON WALKER
1978 Mrs. J. Robert Walker, Martinsville PERPETUAL AWARD
1979 Mrs. Daniel K. Critz, Martinsville This award was presented by the
1980 Mrs. Daniel K. Critz, Martinsville Martinsville Garden Club and The Garden
1981,1988 No award Study Club in 1977 with appreciation for Mrs.
1989 Mrs. Kit Pannill, Martinsville and Walker's outstanding work as Daffodil Test
James River Chairman of The Garden Club of Virginia
1990 No award 1951-1962.
1991 Mrs. William Pannill, Martinsville and This award was first given in 1978:
James River
1992 No award 1978 Mrs. F. Paul Turner, Martinsville
1993 Mrs. W. John Matheson, Gloucester 1979 No award
1994 No award 1980 Mrs. Robert G. Taylor,] r., Lynchburg
215
 Follow the Green Arrow
1981 No award This award was given in loving memory
1982 Mrs. Robert G. Taylor, Jr., Lynchburg of Helen Louise Broyhill by her daughter,
1983 No award Mrs. Sandra Broyhill Aman. It is to be awarded
annually at the Daffodil Show to a Garden
1984 Mrs. R. W. Massie ill, Lynchburg Club of Virginia member for the Best Collec-
1985,1986 No award tion of three of a kind.
1987 No award It was first presented in 1980:
1988 Mrs. Robert F. Gillespie, Jr., Dolley
Madison 1980 Mrs. Howard B. Bloomer, Alexandria
1989 Mrs. Whitehead Motley, Chatham 1981 Mrs. Raymond W. Lewis, Gloucester
1990,1991 No award 1982 Mrs. Raymond W. Lewis, Gloucester
1992 No award 1983 Mrs.]. A. Bear, Jr., Albemarle
1993 Mrs. Lockwood Frizzell, 1984 Mrs. Frank C. Wyche, Petersburg
Charlottesville 1985 Mrs. Daniel M. Thomton,Jr., Virginia
1994 Mrs. W. John Matheson, Gloucester Beach
1995 Mrs. Raymond Brown, Gloucester 1986 Mr. William G. Pannill, Martinsville
1987 Mrs. Raymond W. Lewis, Gloucester
THE JACQUELINE BYRD SHANK 1988 Mr. William G. Pannill, Martinsville
MEMORIAL TROPHY 1989 Mr. William G. Pannill, Martinsville
This award was given by Mr. J. Edward 1990 Mrs. William Pannill, Martinsville and
Shank of "Lochwood Hall," Bedford County, James River
Virginia, in memory of his wife, Jacqueline 1991 Mrs. William Pannill, Martinsville and
Byrd Shank, past president of The Lynchburg James River
Garden Club. It is awarded to a Garden Club 1992 Mrs. Isaac M. Zigler, Warren County
of Virginia member for the best miniature 1993 Mrs. W.JohnMattheson, Gloucester
bloom in the Daffodil Show. 1994 Mrs. William Pannill, Martinsville and
The award was first given in 1979: James River
1995 Mr. William G. Pannill, Martinsville
1979 Mrs.]. Walled Harrison,James River (Honorary Member GCV)
1980 Mrs. George F. Parsons, Eastern Shore
1981 Mrs. Raymond W. Lewis, Gloucester THE LOUISE MORRIS
1982 Mrs. William R. Scott, Fairfax GOODWIN BOWL
1983 Mrs. Laurens H . Rhinelander, This bowl is given in memory of Louise
Albemarle Morris Goodwin of the Roanoke Valley Gar-
1984 Mrs. William R. Scott, Fairfax den Club in recognition of her lifelong ability
1985 Mrs. Chesterman Constantine, to create and share beauty. It is to be awarded
Princess Anne annually at the Daffodil Show to a Garden
1986 Mr. William R. Pannill, Martinsville Club of Virginia member for 5 varieties of
1987 Mrs. Raymond W. Lewis, Gloucester American Bred daffodils-one stem each.
1988 Mrs. Cecil Brown, Gloucester It was first awarded in 1982:
1989 Mrs. Cecil Brown, Gloucester
1990 Mrs. Thomas Mason, Mill Mountain 1982 Mrs.]. Robert Walker, Martinsville
1991 Mrs.John F.James, Dolley Madison 1983 Mrs. E. H. Ould, Garden Study Club,
1992 Mrs. Gene W. Beale, Franklin Martinsville
1993 Mrs. Frances Boninti, Rivanna 1984 Mrs. Sarah Townsend Harrison,
1994 Mrs. W. John Matheson, Gloucester James River
1995 Evelyn Nock, Quinby, Virginia 198 5 Mrs. George W. Burton, Winchester-
Clarke
THE HELEN LOUISE 1986 Mrs. J. Robert Walker, Martinsville
BROYHILL TROPHY 1987 Mrs. Raymond W. Lewis, Gloucester
216
 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, Winchester-
Clarke
THE JENNETTE H. RUSTIN TROPHY
This award was given by Mrs. Howard B.
Bloomer, Jr., in recognition of the many con-
tributions made by Miss Rustin as Daffodil
Test Chairman for The Garden Club of Vir-
ginia 1941-1946. It is awarded for a Daffodil
parent and child-two cultivars, one being the
parent (seed and pollen) of the other. May be
won only one time by an exhibitor.
Awarded for the first time in 1982:
1982 Mrs. J. Robert Walker, Martinsville
1983 Mrs. E. H. Ould, Garden Study Club,
Martinsville
1984 Mrs. Lockwood Frizzell,
Charlottesville
1985 Mrs. Staige Blackford, Albemarle
1986 Mrs. Isaac Zigler, Warren County
1987 Mrs. Raymond W. Lewis, Gloucester
1988 Mrs. Robert F. Gillespie, Dolley
Madison
1989,1990 No award
1991 Mrs. William Pannill, Martinsville and
James River
1992 No award
1993 Mrs. W. John Matheson, Gloucester
1994 Mrs. Raymond S. Brown, Gloucestsr
1995 No award
THE MRS. LITTLETON
H.MEARSTROPHY
This award was given by the Garden Club of
the Eastern Shore in memory of Mrs. Littleton
H. Mears, founder. It is awarded to a member
club of The Garden Club of Virginia for the
best Inter-Club arrangement at the annual
217
Daffodil Show.
The Trophy has been awarded to:
1983 Roanoke Valley Garden Club
1984 Tuckahoe Garden Club
1985 Three Chopt Garden Club
1986 Dolley Madison Garden Club
1987 Gabriella Garden Club
1988 Hillside Garden Club
1989 Hillside Garden Club
1990 Garden Club of the Northern Neck
1991 The Williamsburg Garden Club
1992 The Spotswood Garden Club
1993 The Ashland Garden Club
1994 The Little Garden Club of
Winchester
1995 The Garden Club of Gloucester
LILY SHOW AWARDS:
THE VIOLET NILES
WALKER MEMORIAL CUP
This cup was given by the Dolley Madi-
son Garden Club for horticultural achieve-
ment: the lily chairman of Dolley Madison
Garden Club shall be the perpetual custodian
of the Violet Niles Walker Memorial Cup.
This shall include the administration of funds
and purchasing of lily bulbs to be awarded as
a prize annually to the winner of this cup at
the Lily Show of The Garden Club of Vir-
ginia.
This cup was first awarded in 1948:
1970 Mrs. John T. Ramey, Fauquier and
Loudoun
1971,1972 No award
1973 Mrs. Arthur A. Dugdale, Ashland
1974 No award
197 5 Mrs. Arthur A. Dugdale, Ashland
1976 No award
1977 Mrs.Joseph Mercer, Dolley Madison
1978 No award
1979 Mrs. Atwell W. Somerville,
Dolley Madison
1980,1992 No award
1993 No award
1994 No award
1995 No award
 Follow the Green Arrow

THE SPONSOR'S CUP of Warren County

OnJune 18, 1953, this cup, a gift of Miss
Jeanette M. Francis, was presented as a per-
petual Lily Show trophy to The Garden Club
of Virginia by The Garden Club of Alexan-
dria. It is to be given by the club sponsoring
the annual Garden Club ofVirginia Lily Show
and is to be offered in a horticultural class,
designated by the sponsoring club, as an award
to the blue ribbon winner in the designated
class.
This award was first made in 1954:
1970 Mrs. Douglas Phillips, Leesburg
1971 No award
1972 Mrs. Wyatt Aiken Williams,
Dolley Madison
1973,1974 No award
1975 Mrs.John T. Ramey, Fauquier and
Loudoun
1976,1978 No award
1979 Mrs. Robert S. Pickens, Leesburg
1980,1988 No award
1989 Mrs. Ronald]. Woodamon, Fairfax
1990 Mrs. James S. Lee, Warrenton
1991 Mrs. George A. Horkan, Fauquier and
Loudoun
1992 Mrs. Gilbert K. Queitzsch,
Dolley Madison
1993 Mrs. Gilbert K. Queitzsch,
Dolley Madison
1994 Mrs. Gilbert K. Queitzsch,
Dolley Madison
1995 Julia Burke, Tuckahoe of
Westhampton
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
THE BLUE RIDGE
GARDEN CLUB CUP
This cup was given by an anonymous do-
nor in the name of The Blue Ridge Garden
Club as a perpetual trophy to be awarded an-
nually at the Lily Show. It was presented in
1962 and was won for the first time in 1970.
The award has been made to:
1970 Mrs. James F. Birchfield, Leesburg
1981,1992 No award
1993 Mrs. Robert F. Gillespie,
Dolley Madison
1994 Mrs.John Prillaman, Blue Ridge
1995 Mrs. Lewis Tyree, Jr., Blue Ridge
THE GERTRUDE CODY MINTER
MEMORIAL AWARD
This award was given in loving memory
of Gertrude Cody Minter by her daughter,
Mrs. Alfred 0. Potter. It was presented as a
perpetual trophy to The Garden Club of Vir-
ginia in 1971, to be awarded annually at the
Lily Show.
The award has been presented to:

THEBLANCHEROHRERDAVISCUP 1971 Mr. Wallace Windus, Meadowbrook,

This cup was given in loving memory of Pennsylvania
Blanche Rohrer Davis by friends in the 1972 No award
Roanoke area as a perpetual trophy. The cup 1973 Mr. Howard Logan, Carlisle,
was presented to The Garden Club of Vir- Pennsylvania
ginia in 1957: to be awarded annually at the 1974 No award
Lily Show of The Garden Club of Virginia. 197 5 Mr. Ronald L. Chiabotta, Kensington,
First awarded 1958. Maryland
The award has been presented to: 1976,1978 No award
1979 Mr. Ron Chiabotta, Kensington,
1970 Mrs.Jam es F. Birchfield, Leesburg Maryland
1971-1984 No award 1980 No award
1985 Mrs. Richard R. Almy, Garden Club 1981 Mr. Ron Chiabotta, Kensington,

218
 Appendix VIII
Maryland Maryland
1982 Mr. Ron Chiabotta, Kensington, 1987,1989 No award
Maryland 1990 Mr. Ron Chiabotta, Kensington,
1983 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville, Maryland
Maryland 1991,1992 No award
1984 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville, 1993 Mrs. Saxon W. Holt, Jr., Virginia
Maryland Beach
1985 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville, 1994 No award
Maryland 1995 No award
1986 Mr. Ron Chiabotta, Kensington,
Maryland THE ROBERT S. PICKENS
1987 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville, MEMORIAL TROPHY:
Maryland This award was presented in memory of
1988 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville, Robert S. Pickens by his family in recogni-
Maryland tion of his active and enthusiastic interest in
1989 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville, the growing of lilies. It is open to all amateur
Maryland lily growers and will be awarded annually at
1990 Mr. Warren S. Summers, Tolland, the Lily Show. It was first awarded in 1980.
Connecticut
1991 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville, 1980 Mrs. Harry deButts, F auquisr and
Maryland Loudoun
1992 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville, 1981 No award
Maryland 1982 Mrs. Richard R. Almy, Garden Club
1993 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville, of Warren County
Maryland 1983 Noaward
1994-199 5 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, 1984 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville,
Rockville, Maryland Maryland
1985 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville,
THE NORTH AMERICAN LILY Maryland
SOCIETY PERPETUAL AWARD: 1986 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville,
In 1977 this award was presented to The Maryland
Garden Club of Virginia by The North 1987 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville,
American Lily Society in recognition of The Maryland
Garden Club of Virginia's contribution over 1988 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville,
the years to growing and showing lilies. Maryland
The award has been presented to: 1989 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville,
Maryland
1977 Mrs. Baskerville Bridgforth, Jr., 1990 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville,
Williamsburg Maryland
1978 Mrs. William W. Waterman 1991 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville,
1979 No award Maryland
1980 Dr. Lawrence Davis, Washington, 1992 No award
D.C. 1993 Mrs. Gilbert K. Queitzsch, Dolley
1981 No award Madison
1982 Mrs.] ohn Faulconer, Dolley Madison 1994 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowen, Rockville,
1983 No award Maryland
1984 Mr. Ron Chiabotta, Kensington, 1995 Mr. and Mr. Frank Bowen, Rockville,
Maryland Maryland
1985 Noaward
1986 Mr. Ron Chiabotta, Kensington,

219
 Follow the Green Arrow
PAST PRESIDENTS OF THE GARDEN
CLUB OF VIRGINIA TROPHY:
This award was given by Miss Jean Printz
to honor the Past Presidents of The Garden
Club of Virginia. It is awarded to a member
club of The Garden Club of Virginia for the
best Inter-Club arrangement at the annual Lily
Show.
The award has been given to:
1983 The Little Garden Club of
Wmchester
1984 The Williamsburg Garden Club
1985 The Augusta Garden Club
1986 The Garden Club of the Northern
Neck
198 7 The Garden Club of Alexandria
1988 The Augusta Garden Club
1989 The Garden Club of Gloucester
1990 The Lynchburg Garden Club
1991 The Elizabeth River Garden Club
1992 The Garden Club of Danville
1993 Rivanna Garden Club
1994 The James River Garden Club
1995 Harborfront Garden Club
ROSE SHOW AWARDS:
THE EDITH FARR ELLIOTT
PERPETUAL TROPHY:
This award was given in 1973 to The Gar-
den Club of Virginia in loving memory of
Edith Farr Elliott by her husband and daugh-
ters, to be awarded annually at the Rose Show.
It has been given to:
1973-1977 No award
1978 Mrs. C. Meade Stull, Fairfax
1979 Mrs. David B. Tankard, Eastern Shore
1980 Mrs. Henley L. Guild, Hunting Creek
1981 Mrs. C. Meade Stull, Fairfax
1982 Mrs. David Tankard, Eastern Shore
1983 Mrs. Frank M. Lusk, Eastern Shore
1984 Mrs. David B. Tankard, Eastern Shore
1985 No award
1986 Mrs. Charles C. Broaddus, Jr.,
Richmond
1987 Mrs. C. W Dickinson III,
Eastern Shore
1988 Mrs. C. W Dickinson III, Eastern
220
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
THE PEACE ROSE
PERPETUAL TROPHY:
In 197 5 this Trophy was given by the Rose
Test Committee to be awarded annually to any
amateur rose grower who wins the Blue Rib-
bon in Section 1, Class C.
The trophy has been given to:
1976,1977 No award
1978 Mr. Lawrence C. Martin,
Springfield, VA
1979 No award
1980 Mr. William J. Blevins, Manassas
1981 Mr. William J. Blevins, Manassas
1982 Mr. William J. Blevins, Manassas
1983 No award
1984 Mr. Cliff Glier, Boyce
1985 Mr. and Mrs. William]. Blevins,
Manassas
1986 Mr. Allen B. Bryant, Frederick, MD
1987 Mr. Allen B. Bryant, Frederick, MD
1988 Mr. Allen B. Bryant, Frederick, MD
1989 Mr. Allen B. Bryant, Frederick, MD
1990 Mr. and Mrs. Howard E. Jones
1991 Mr. Allen B. Bryant, Frederick, MD
1992 Noaward
1993 Mr. and Mrs. Howard E. Jones
1994 Mr.John Scott
1995 Mr.JohnScott
THE CAPTAIN and MRS. EDGAR M.
WILLIAMS PERPETUAL TROPHY:
This trophy was presented in 1977 by the
Rivanna Garden Club to honor Captain and
Mrs. Williams. It is to be awarded annually at
the Rose Show to the Blue Ribbon winner in
Section VII, Class 76.
The trophy has been given to:
1978,1980 No award
 Appendix VIII
1981 Mr. William J. Blevins, Manassas THE JANE MARSHALL BROYHILL
1982 Mr. William J. Blevins, Manassas MEMORIAL TROPHY:
1983 Mrs. C. W Dickinson, Eastern Shore This award was given in loving memory
1984 No award of Jane Marshall Broyhill by her niece, Mrs.
1985 Mr. and Mrs. William J. Blevins, Sandra Broyhill Aman. To be awarded annu-
Manassas ally at the Rose Show for the best Hybrid Tea.
1986 Mr. William J. Blevins, Manassas The trophy has been given to:
1987 Noaward
1988 Mrs. Elizabeth W Dodd, Eastern 1979 Mr. and Mrs. William J. Blevins,
Shore Manassas
1989 No award 1980 Dr. Robert]. Knerr, Vienna
1990 Mr. and Mrs. Howard E. Jones 1981 Mr. William]. Blevins, Manassas
1991 Noaward 1982 Mr. Joseph Mirilovich, Visnna
1992 No award 1983 Mr. Charles E. Bell, Jr., Alexandria
1993 No award 1984 Mr. Cliff Glier, Boyce
1994 No award 1985 Mr. and Mrs. William]. Blevins,
1995 No award Manassas
1986 Mr. Allen B. Bryant, Frederick, MD
THE YANCIE DONEGAN CASEY 1987 Mr. William]. Blevins, Manassas
MEMORIAL AWARD: 1988 Mr. Allen B. Bryant, Frederick, MD
This cup was presented as a perpetual tro- 1989 Mrs. David B. Tankard, Eastern Shore
phy For old garden roses in 1977 in 1990 Mr. Mel Albert
Williamsburg by Dr. Carlton]. Casey and his 1991 Mrs.Jane R. Broyhill, Heathville
niece, Mrs. Larry R. Gay, in honor of Yancie 1992 Mrs. David B. Tankard, Eastern Shore
Donegan Casey, a charter member of The 1993 Mr. and Mrs. Howard Jones
Williamsburg Garden Club. 1994 Mr. William Blevins, Manassas
The award has been given to: 1995 Mr.John Scott

1977 Mrs. Edward V. Brush, Blue Ridge
1978 Mrs. Edward V. Brush, Blue Ridge
1979 Mrs. John S. Mcintyre,
Dolley Madison
1980 No award
1981 Mrs. Avery Catlin, Albemarle
1982 Mrs. E. V. Brush, Blue Ridge
1983 Mrs. E. V. Brush, Blue Ridge
1984 No award
1985 Mrs. Richard P. Hankins, Boxwood
1986 Mr. William J. Blevins, Manassas
1987 Mrs. Jane White, Hillside
1988 Mrs.Jane White, Hillside
1989 Mr.JackM. Rascoe, Williamsburg
1990 Mr. William J. Blavins, Manassas
1991 Mr.JackM. Rascoe, Williamsburg
1992 Mr.JackM. Rascoe, Williamsburg
1993 Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Holsinger
1994 Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Holsinger
1995 BelindaJudith Geddy, Warren County
THE DR. F. WHITNEY GODWIN
PERPETUAL TROPHY:
This award was given in 1980 to The Gar-
den Club of Virginia in loving memory of Dr.
F. Whitney Godwin by his wife, Judith B.
Godwin, to be awarded annually at the Rose
Show for a collection of red roses.
It has been awarded to:
1980 Mrs. David B. Tankard, Eastern Shore
1981 Mr. William J. Blevins, Manassas
1982 Mr. William J. Blevins, Manassas
1983 No award
1984 Mr. Cliff Glier, Boyce
198 5 Mr. and Mrs. William]. Blevins,
Manassas
1986 Mrs. Charles C. Broaddus, Jr.,
Richmond
1987 Mr. and Mrs. Harry Porterfield,
Roanoke
1988,1990 No award
1991 Mr. and Mrs. F. N. Howe,

221
 Follow the Green Arrow

Fredericksburg Eastern Shore

1992 Mrs.James R. Hundley, Northern 1987 Mrs. Elizabeth W. Dodd, Eastern
Neck Shore
1993 No award 1988 Mrs. Elizabeth W. Dodd, Eastern
1994 Mr.John Scott Shore
199 5 Mr. and Mrs.Jam es Hundley, 1989 No award
Northern Neck 1990 Mrs. David B. Tankard, Eastern Shore
1991 Mrs. James R. Hundley, Northern
THE ELIZABETH GWATHMEY Neck
JEFFRESS TROPHY: 1992 No award
This award was given in loving memory 1993 No award
oF Elizabeth Gwathmey Jeffress by her cousin 1994 No award
John Stewart Bryan ID, to be awarded annu- 1995 No award
ally 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 Gar-
den Club to honor Mrs. Burdette S. Wright,
21st President of The Garden Club of Vir-
ginia, to be awarded annually at the Rose Show
to a Garden Club of Virginia member for Sec-
tion I. Class E, a collection of four Hybrid
Tea roses; one each of the major color classes-
white, yellow, pink and red-in separate vases.
It has been awarded to:

1983 No award
1984 Mrs. David B. Tankard, Eastern Shore
1985 No award
1986 Mrs. Elizabeth W. Dodd,
222
 Appendix IX
APPENDIX IX
THE BOOKS
A hardback "Descriptive Guidebook of
Virginia's Old Gardens" was compiled by Mrs.
William R. Massie and Mrs. Andrew H. Chris-
tian and published by The Garden Club of
Virginia in 1929.
A paper bound history of The Garden Club
of Vtrgjnia that covered the Club's first ten
years from May 1920 to May 1930 was com-
piled by Maude Carter Clement (Mrs.
Nathaniel E. Clement), Custodian of Records.
Homes and Gardens in Old Virginia was
edited by Susanne Williams Massie and
Frances Archer Christian and published by
The Garden Club ofVirginia in 1930, 1931,
and 1932.
"Garden Week in Virginia" was prepared
by the Virginia State Chamber of Commerce,
with the assistance of The Garden Club of
Virginia, in 1933.
"Garden Week in Virginia" was a paper-
back guide for visitors to Virginia for Garden
Week in 1934.
Each year since 1934, a guidebook has
been published by The Garden Club of Vir-
ginia, with the exception of the years 1942-
1946 when Historic Garden Week was sus-
pended as a war measure.
"The Garden Club of Virginia Cook
Book" is a compilation of favorite recipes of
members of The Garden Club of Virginia.
Published in 1942, the dedication in the cook
book is "To the Long-suffering Husbands of
all Garden Club Members this book is re-
morsefully dedicated." The editor was Mrs.
Powell Glass (Anne).
223
Homes and Gardens in Old Virginia was
revised in 19 50 by Virginia Christian
Claiborne (Mrs. Herbert A. Claiborne), Ella
Williams Smith (Mrs.James Gordon Smith),
and Caroline Pickrell Strudwick (Mrs.
Edmund Strudwick,Jr.) and again in 1962 by
Ella Williams-Smith, Caroline Pickrell
Strudwick, and Frances Claiborne Guy (Mrs.
John H. Guy).
"The Engagement Calendar of Virginia
Gardens for 1952" was edited by Mrs. F.
Whitney Godwin (Judith).
"A Garden Potpourri," edited by Mrs.
John M. Stetson (Sally), and The Garden Club
of Virginia Journal Committee in 1963, is a
collection of interesting and informative ar-
ticles which were published in The Garden
Club ofVirginiaJournal. These helpful articles
are actual experiences of people who wanted
to have a Virginia garden. A second edition
appeared in 1968.
Mrs.Jam es Bland Martin, (Teen), took a
step back in time to "write it down" for The
Garden Club of Virginia in 1970. Follow the
Green Arrow traces the life of a state-wide or-
ganization from its founding in 1920 to its 50-
year anniversary in 1970. It is a rich story of
the accomplishments of The Garden Club of
Virginia during this time. Mrs. Powell Glass,
President of The Garden Club of Virginia
duringthewaryears, 1942-1944, wrote, "Per-
haps the strength of The Garden Club of Vir-
ginia lies essentially in the appreciation each
one gratefully attaches to the contribution of
others." This is brought out in every page in
 Fol/aw the Green Arrow
Mrs. Martin's Follow the Green Arrow.
Dorothy Hunt Williams (Mrs. Wyatt
Aiken Williams) captures the beauty in word
and picture of the first 23 restorations of The
Garden Club of Virginia in her scholarly His-
toric Virginia Gardens, published by The Gar-
den Club of Virginia in 197 5. A valuable
source of garden information, Mrs. Williams
lists the plants, trees, shrubs, flowers, and sup-
plies working designs and sketches of fences
and gates in each garden. With each restora-
tion, Mrs. Williams added its historic impor-
224
tance which makes these gardens unmatchable
anywhere else.
The Garden Club of Virginia gave gar-
den lovers and historians a sumptuous volume,
Gardens & Landscapes of Virginia, in 1993. The
richness and variety of these Virginia gardens
lend 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.