About Us
Who we are and what we do
The Southern Garden History Society membership includes private garden owners, landscape historians, historic horticulture specialists, historic site curators, landscape architects, and garden writers, to cite just some of the backgrounds of those who join. All are united, however, in an abiding interest in the landscape legacy of that region stretching from Maryland across the southern half of the United States to Texas.
The society remains connected over the year through our quarterly publication, Magnolia. You will find more on Magnolia on the Resources page, which provides access to back issues from 1984 to 2005.
The society also holds an annual meeting each year in a different location in the South to study the garden and landscape history of that area, promote garden restoration, and encourage scholarship among members. Membership in the society is required to attend the annual meeting.
Awards and Scholarships
The Flora Ann Bynum Award is the highest award bestowed by the Southern Garden History Society. It is not awarded annually, but only occasionally to recipients who have rendered outstanding service to the society. Nominations may be made at any time by any member. The nomination should contain a cover letter outlining the service, contributions, and accomplishments of the nominee, the names and addresses of at least three other people knowledgeable of the nominee, and any other supporting material the nominator wishes to include. Nominations should be sent to the society President. The Executive Committee will make a recommendation to the Board of Directors who must approve the award. The award, if conferred, will usually be presented at the annual meeting.
The title Honorary Director (Board of Directors) may be bestowed on individuals who have rendered exceptional service and made significant contributions to the society. The distinction is usually given to individuals who have served as officers or Board members for a number of years or to others whose long-term work and devotion have significantly advanced the society’s mission, goals, and objectives. Honorary Directors enjoy the rights and privileges described in the by-laws. Nominations for Honorary Director are made to the President by current Board members and are approved by the Board of Directors.
The Certificate of Merit is presented to a member, or non-member, whose work has advanced the mission and goals of the society. The certificate may be for a body of work or for an individual project including, but not limited to, restoration of a garden, leadership in a project relevant to the society’s interests, research, or publications. Requests for Certificates of Merit should be sent to the President and should include a cover letter and supporting documentation. Awarding of Certificates of Merit will be approved by the Board of Directors and will usually be announced at the annual meeting.
Society Scholarships assist students in attending the society’s annual meeting and are awarded to bona fide students enrolled in college and university majors relevant to the mission and goals of the society. Previous recipients are ineligible except that students may apply for scholarships once while an undergraduate and once while pursuing a graduate degree. Normally only one scholarship is awarded per annual meeting. The scholarship provides a waiver of registration fees plus $500 to assist with travel and lodging. Applications, consisting of a letter from the student stating his/her course of study, interest, and career objectives and a letter of recommendation from the student’s advisor certifying the student is enrolled in a degree granting program, should be sent to the society President no later than March 1.
Officers and Directors
President
J. Dean Norton
Director of Horticulture
Mount Vernon Ladies Association
PO Box 110
Mt. Vernon, VA 22121
Vice President
Staci L. Catron
Director, Cherokee Garden Library
Atlanta History Center
130 West Paces Ferry Road, NW
Atlanta, GA 30305
Treasurer
Gail Griffin
5606 McLean Drive
Bethesda, MD 20814
Secretary
Mollie Ridout
Historic Annapolis Foundation, Inc.
18 Pinkney Street
Annapolis, MD, 21401
Directors
Wayne Amos
1216 I Street
Alexandria, VA 22307
Linda Askey
5191 Sicard Hollow Road
Birmingham, AL 35242-5623
Marion Drummond
155 Fenwick Road
Mobile, AL 36608
Susan McLeod Epstein
Charleston Horticultural Society
46 Windermere Blvd
Charleston, SC 29407
Peter J. Hatch
Director, Grounds and Gardens
Monticello
PO Box 316
Charlottesville, VA 22902
Susan L. Hitchcock
Cultural Landscapes Program
National Park Service/Southeast Regional Office
100 Alabama Street SW
1924 Bldg
Atlanta, GA 30303
Davyd Foard Hood
Isinglass
6907 Old Shelby Road
Vale, NC 28168
Anne Legett
766 Nelson Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Susan Urshel
1801 Deepdale Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76107
Dr. William C. Welch
4764 Stonebriar Circle
College Station, TX 77845-8987
Jane B. White
Director Emerita
Old City Cemetery
Lynchburg, VA 24503
Carleton Wood
Executive Director
Hills & Dales Estate
P.O. Box 790
LaGrange, GA 30241
Ex-officio Board Members
Immediate Past President
A. Jefferson Lewis III
503 Woodhaven Way
Athens, GA 30606
Editor of Magnolia
Peggy L. Cornett
Monticello
PO Box 316
Charlottesville, VA 22902
Honorary Board Members
Ben Page
1206 17th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37212
Kenneth M. McFarland
814 Marye St.
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Mary Anne Pickens
2498 FM 109
Columbus, TX 78934
Board member access, click here.
