Media Alert
September 18, 2023
Taylor Fuqua, Manager of PR & Marketing; tfuqua@VirginiaHistory.org; 804.342.9661
Richmond, VA – The Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC) and Garden Club of Virginia (GCV) are excited to welcome guests to the first-ever History Blooms event, highlighting Virginia history, gardening, and landscape preservation.
Presented by Atlantic Union Bank, History Blooms brings together the missions of the VMHC and GCV to engage new audiences with history and horticulture. Dozens of stunning floral creations inspired by the regions of Virginia and prepared by the Garden Club of Virginia’s member clubs will adorn the museum’s walls during the three-day program that will take place October 6 through October 8, 2023, at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture.
Lectures, workshops, and special events focused on historic preservation and gardening topics both past and present will take place on Friday, October 6, and Saturday, October 7. Guest presenters include:
- P. Allen Smith, author and TV personality from P. Allen Smith's Garden Home and P. Allen Smith's Garden to Table
- Abra Lee, author of Conquer the Soil: Black America and the Untold Stories of Our Country's Gardeners, Farmers, and Growers
- Christian Geall, author of Cultivated: Elements of Floral Style
- Jessica Hall, co-owner of Harmony Harvest Farm (the Mum Project)
- Nancy Ross Hugo, author of Remarkable Trees of Virginia, and Kate Hugo Vernon, owner of The Arranger's Market
- Thomas Lloyd and Bryan Huffman, authors of Garden Secrets of Bunny Mellon and Bunny Mellon Garden Journal
- J. Dean Norton, Director of Horticulture at George Washington’s Mount Vernon
- Libbey Oliver, author of Flowers Are Forever
- Margot Shaw, editor-in-chief of Flower magazine and author of Living Floral,
- Sybil Sylvester, owner of Wildflower Designs and author of Fresh
- Dr. Bruce Fraedrich, an internationally recognized tree researcher and plant pathologist
Gardening and flower related archival treasures from the VMHC historical collection will also be on display in the VMHC library for guests to view and enjoy throughout the weekend. Daytime access is included with VMHC general admission.
A special edition of First Fridays at the VMHC will also take place on October 6 from 5pm to 8 pm with garden-related activities planned for young visitors, including both demonstrations related to beekeeping and tree history, and free admission to the VMHC.
For more information about History Blooms or to register for lectures, programs, and workshops, please visit VirginiaHistory.org/HistoryBlooms.
Session Sponsor
- Bartlett Tree Service
- Potomac Floral Wholesale
- Barbara Basil Stokey
Sponsor
- Robbins Landscaping
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture is the only institution dedicated to presenting the entire history of Virginia over time and across regions. Its nationally significant collection of more than 9 million objects, renowned research library, galleries and public programs demonstrate the centrality of Virginia to the narrative of the United States.
The VMHC is owned and operated by the Virginia Historical Society — a private, non-profit organization established in 1831. The historical society is the oldest cultural organization in Virginia and one of the oldest and most distinguished history organizations in the nation.