Greetings!
The Garden Club of Virginia has reason to celebrate. Congratulations and thank you for your support of this year’s Historic Garden Week. Thanks to our members, thousands of visitors were welcomed with gracious hospitality to enjoy springtime in Virginia.
Former GCV Presidents, your Board of Directors, the HGW Committee and staff joined me in travels across the state to extend our appreciation for the unparalleled energy, enthusiasm and efforts of our members. It was a special treat when we were also able to thank the homeowners and sponsors we met along the way. By opening beautiful gardens, homes and landscapes we are able to further our mission to restore, preserve and expand the knowledge of Virginia’s historic treasures.
In my final Membership News message, please know that it has been both an honor and a privilege to have served as your President. We began together in challenging times but the resolve and spirit of the GCV membership never wavered. Strength, perseverance, resilience and grace has led us to better times.
Thank you for your support. I foresee a bright future for the Garden Club of Virginia and look forward to sharing it with you.
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Missy Buckingham
GCV President, 2020-2022
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June 14, 2022, Fredericksburg Academy
10800 Academy Drive, Fredericksburg
The Rappahannock Valley Garden Club is excited to host Lilies in Bloom. The show is dedicated to the memory of Mrs. W. Tayloe Murphy Jr. (Helen). A former president of the GCV and founding member of the Garden Club of the Northern Neck, Helen was renowned for her magnificent lily beds and showstopper blooms.
Registration and schedules for Artistic Design, Horticulture and Photography are available here and on gcvirginia.org.
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Poe Museum, Richmond
On April 5, the Garden Club of Virginia presented the restoration of the Enchanted Garden and plantings of the adjoining gardens to the Poe Museum in Richmond. The trees and flowers were in full bloom and the sun came out just in time to celebrate the completion of this project. A plaque was presented and will be installed on the wall of the Enchanted Garden.
In appreciation of the gift and in recognition of our ongoing relationship, the Poe Museum gave the GCV an original painting of the Enchanted Garden that will hang in the Kent-Valentine House.
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Stratford Hall
Stratford Hall was the second restoration project undertaken by the Garden Club of Virginia. Over the past 90 years, the GCV has collaborated with Stratford Hall numerous times to restore and redefine the gardens as they have matured and changed. In 2018, Stratford Hall requested that the GCV Restoration Committee consider a request to redesign the upper terrace of the East Garden to reflect the patterns revealed by recently completed archaeology and to create a garden typical of the mid-18th century. In 2019, the garden was completed and stands as an important restoration of this period for our region and for the entire country.
The Stratford Hall Board of Directors held a ceremony and reception for the Garden Club of Virginia on April 22, 2022, the eve of Historic Garden Week. Betsy Worthington, Restoration Committee Chairman, presented the restoration of the upper garden to Stratford Hall on behalf of the Garden Club of Virginia. A large crowd of GCV members and friends of Stratford Hall were in attendance.
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Kenmore, Fredericksburg
The walkways at Kenmore were restored and completed in time for the George Washington Foundation’s Centennial Dinner and Gala at Historic Kenmore on April 30, 2022. GCV President Missy Buckingham with Foundation President and CEO William E Garner are shown standing on a portion of the newly restored walkway and the original preserved section.
Kenmore, home of George Washington's sister, Betty Washington Lewis, was the Garden Club of Virginia’s first restoration project. In 1929, members of the GCV were asked to restore Kenmore House’s landscape. Historic Garden Week was created to provide funding for the project. Over the years, the brick walkways had deteriorated and become unsafe. Working collaboratively, the GCV Restoration Committee and the George Washington Foundation found and contracted local artisans to rebuild and replace the beautiful herringbone-patterned brick walkways that provide entrance to the property and surround Kenmore House.
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Reveley Garden at
William & Mary, Williamsburg
You are invited to a celebration of the Reveley Garden at William & Mary. The presentation will be held May 17 at 2:00 p.m. View the invitation. Kindly RSVP before May 14.
In the early 1920s, landscape architect Charles F. Gillette designed plans for a diamond-shaped garden for the College of William & Mary that were never realized. In recognition of the achievements of retiring president Taylor Reveley and his wife, Helen (a GCV member), the Garden Club of Virginia partnered with the College to bring this garden to life in their honor. Completed in late 2020, the Reveley Garden reflects the intention of Gillette’s original plan while navigating the current conditions and student uses of the space.
Photo courtesy of Rieley and Associates
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Thank you for a spectacular and successful Historic Garden Week 2022. It couldn’t happen without the dedicated members of the GCV - Gracious Commonwealth Volunteers! I have enjoyed being your chairman the past three years and am happy to introduce Fran Carden as HGW chairman 2022-2024.
With the utmost appreciation,
Tricia Garner, HGW Chairman
Incoming HGW Chairman Fran Carden (left) with Tricia Garner, who will be completing a three-year term as HGW Chairman.
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Horticulture Field Day, Alexandria
May 18-19, 2022
This member event will include a visit to the GCV restoration at Green Spring Gardens, which features a Beatrix Farrand design; five private gardens in Alexandria; a special tour at Mt. Vernon with Director of Horticulture Dean Norton, and a “Kitchen Garden” presentation from nationally known author and garden designer, Ellen Ecker Ogden (pictured).
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2022 GCV Daffodil Collection
The 2022 Daffodil Collection is gathered from divisions 1, 4, 6 and 7. Each bloom is a beautiful representation of its division.
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de Lacy Gray Memorial Medal for Conservation
The Conservation Awards Committee is pleased to announce that Carol Carter, Albemarle Garden Club, is the 2022 recipient of the de Lacy Gray Memorial Medal for Conservation. This award is presented to an individual member or member club of the Garden Club of Virginia in recognition of outstanding effort to further the knowledge of our natural resources and to encourage their wise use. The medal will be presented to Carol at the upcoming Annual Meeting. Read more about her many accomplishments and contributions.
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Horticulture Award of Merit
The GCV Horticulture Committee is pleased to announce eight recipients of the 2022 GCV Horticulture Award of Merit. This award was established in 1960 to recognize individual members of local clubs who have achieved significant accomplishments in horticulture, both personally and in their communities.
2022 Recipients:
Anna Galusha Aquino, The Boxwood Garden Club
Emily Barbee, The Garden Club of Gloucester
Katherine Campbell, The Princess Anne Garden Club
Jane Cowles, The Boxwood Garden Club
Beth DeBergh, The Garden Club of Warren County
Susan Hodges, The Garden Study Club of Martinsville
Tricia Kincheloe, The Garden Club of Fairfax
Mary Stickley-Godinez, The Spotswood Garden Club
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The Conservation Awards Committee seeks nominations for the 2022 Elizabeth Cabell Dugdale Award for Conservation and the Conservation Educator Award. The Dugdale Award is presented to an organization, industry or individual, not a GCV member or GCV member club. The Conservation Educator Award recognizes an individual or organization that promotes the ideals of conservation through education. The work of the nominee must support the GCV’s mission.
Proposals for both awards should be sent to Ann Heller, GCV Communications Coordinator, 12 E. Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23219 or electronically at communications@gcvirginia.org, and must be received by June 1, 2022.
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Conservation and Beautification |
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Connie Owen, The Virginia Beach Garden Club, and Suzy Oliver, The Little Garden Club of Winchester, individually identified the top number of species in our GCV Conservation & Beautification Backyard Bird Count Challenge. The Hampton Roads Garden Club tabulated 29 different species ranging from the tiny titmouse to majestic redtail hawks. The 2022 Great Backyard Bird Count yielded global participation from 192 countries with 7,099 species identified by an estimated 384,641 global participants. Thanks to the GCV members who contributed.
Photos by Constance Owen (left); Suzy Oliver (right).
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Paula Pryke Floral Demonstration |
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Internationally known London-based floral designer, Paula Pryke, will share her signature style with Garden Club of Virginia members and the public on May 12 at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture in Richmond at 10 a.m.-noon. During this event, ticket holders will have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets to take home one of Paula’s arrangements, a GCV apron or other GCV merchandise. A few tickets are still available.
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Unwrapping the Mystery of Entering a Photography Show
Have you ever wanted to enter a photography show but were intimidated by the schedule? Maybe you were stumped by exactly what the classes meant, or you found it difficult to rename your photo or to resize it to fit the schedule requirements. We have two more shows this year to consider - Lilies in Bloom in June and the Symposium in September. Please join Edie Hessberg and members of the Photography Committee to discuss how to enter GCV photography shows and to answer any questions on related issues. The meeting will be via Zoom from 4-5 pm on Thursday, May 5, 2022. Please register your interest here..
Photo by Constance Owen
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GCV SYMPOSIUM
Sept. 20-21, 2022, Science Museum of Virginia
Richmond
The 2022 GCV Symposium will offer members the opportunity to participate in floral, horticultural and photography competition and will showcase the work of the GCV in conservation and restoration. Plans are being made to offer exceptional workshops, programs, demonstrations and speakers. The event will be open to the public.
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GCV Apron
In lively lime with embroidered GCV logo, this apron with pockets for your snips, supplies and cell phone is a “must have.” Pretty yet durable, perfect for identifying yourself as part of the GCV team whether gathering, arranging, exhibiting, judging or volunteering. Adjustable at neck and tied in back, one size fits all. $30 each + $3 shipping
Shop our full line of items on the GCV website Shop page.
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The Blue Ridge Garden Club
Genevieve Minor Moeckel
Chatham Garden Club
Terry Stafford
The Garden Club of the
Eastern Shore
Monika Bridgforth
Ursula Deitch
The Garden Club of Gloucester
Julie Childress
Cheryl Woodward
The Petersburg Garden Club
Pat Auton
Timothy Hall
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We want to hear from you! What is going on in your clubs and communities?
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Mark Your Calendar (All dates are subject to change.)
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May 5 Photography Workshop "Unwrapping the Mystery of Entering a GCV Photography Show"
May 10-11 GCV Annual Meeting - Richmond
May 12 Paula Pryke Floral Demonstration
May 17 Reveley Garden Presentation
May 18-19 Horticulture Field Day - Alexandria
May 20 Symposium Committee Meeting
May 23 Conservation & Beautification Committee Meeting
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June 1 Historic Garden Week Meeting -
June 7 Board and Committee Orientation
June 8 Presidents Day
June 14 Lilies in Bloom, Fredericksburg
June 20 Artistic Design Committee Meeting
June 22-23 HGW Bootcamp - Richmond
June 29 Symposium Committee Meeting
July 15-17 Board of Directors Retreat, Charlottesville
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