High Point Garden Club Minutes, 1928-1931 (10 of 11)

#2 December 8

suggestions.

Mrs. Tomlinson asked for the money for Dr. Wells book before January first. She stated that Dr. Wells had refused to accept any royalty and she also announced that the High Point Garden Club had ordered more copies of his book than any other Club in the State. This was felt by the members to be a just tribute to our valued member and past State President Mrs. S. H. Tomlinson who has done so much noteworthy work in producing this book.

The subject of planting elm trees in connection with the 200 anniversary of George Washington's birth came up. Mrs. W. G. Ragsdale stated that she had already planted her Washington Elm.

The meeting was turned over to the hostess who in her charming manner introduced the speaker for the [morning?] who was her good friend Mrs. Walter Blair of Greensboro.

Mrs. Blair's subject was "North Carolina Gardens. She proceeded

#3 December 8th 1931

gracefully to charm her listeners with descriptions of gardens - some familiar and others little known generally, but all combining to make each member present proud of North Carolina and her heritage of beauty appreciated and cultivated by her ancestors.

She first spoke of Orton House of Willmington a beautifully preserved colonial home & garden. Then of Airlee-on-the-Sound also of Willmington with its glory of four hundred thousand azaleas combined with the cypress and water oaks - a result of thirty years of intensive cultivation.

Next she told of Greenfield Lake Park of Willmington in which there is a natural Christmas tree over 300 years old and with a spread of 110 feet. She convinced her hearers that Willmington is indeed one of the beauty spots of the South.

To describe each garden in detail would be impossible in minutes but your Sec will simply mention each so that they may go in the

#4 December 8th 1931

permanent records of the Club.

Beverley Hall, Edenton - Italian design, built 1810.

Hayes - also in Edenton - Colonial design - built 1801.

The Arburetum at Chapel Hill - a reclaimed swamp turned into a beauty spot by Dr. W. C. Coker - only 28 years old.

Chinquapen Lodge - The Penn estate near Reidsville - comparatively new.

The Penn Home Madison with its numerous dwarf box - built 1841.

Reynolda - Winston Salem with its Japanese drooping cherry trees.

The Lillington Place near Winston - Box planted before the Revolution, Its fascinating family cemetary amidst dwarf box, tree box magnolias & myrtles.

The Hairston Home near Mockville on the Yadkin - built in 1850.

Pisgah Park near Asheville - a wild flower garden started in 1925 by Malcolm Ross.

Biltmore House owned by the Vanderbilts - America's most famous chateau.

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This ended the gardens described and left each member with a feeling of real pride in the Old North State.

Our President thanked Mrs. Blair most graciously for her valuable paper after which the meeting adjourned.

Mrs. Alice P. White Pres. Mary Drew L. Dalton Sec

#1 January 12th 1932

The High Point Garden Club met on January 12th at the home of Mrs. Charles Siceloff at 10 o clock am. Twenty three members were present and the President Mrs. White presided.

The meeting opened with the roll call by the Secretary after which the December minutes were read & approved.

The Treasurer was absent but mailed a report of $113.00 on hand.

Under the head of unfinished business it was stated that the council had decided to drop the matter of Mr Pyle

#2 January 12th 1932

and his rose lecture for the present. It was also stated that the letter regarding Christmas greens was published in the local paper.

Mrs. S. H. Tomlinson brought up the very important matter of a selection of the date for the coming State meeting. The President promised that this would be attended to immediately. The last week in April seemed to gain most favor with those present.

The meeting was then turned over to Mrs. V. A. J. Idol who had as her subject "Plants & Herbs Used for Different Purposes."

Mrs. Idol developed her subject in a most entertaining and instructive manner. She convinced her hearers that flowers have many utilarian uses outside of their beautiful shapes and colors. Many familiar plants herbs and flowers being used for the relief of various diseases. She quoted from a sixteenth century "Household Guide" to show how the lasses of 1585 used fennel to make their [figures sway?].

A general discussion followed Mrs. Idol's paper in which members exchanged knowledge of herbs.

Mrs. Alice White Pres. Mary Drew L. Dalton Sec.