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CONTACT: Mariesa Woodring, PR Specialist
6700 Azalea Garden Road
Norfolk, VA 23518-5337
(757) 441-5830, Ext. 346 Fax: (757) 853-8294
E-mail: mariesa.woodring@nbgs.org |
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For five years, Norfolk
Botanical Garden has celebrated African American History Month
with the Hampton Roads Community. In the past we've offered
classes, lectures and field trips, in addition this year we
were able to share a major part of the Garden's history, thanks
to one of the people who helped shape it.
Edna Joyce, who is
now in her 80's, was one of 220 African Americans who worked
on the WPA project that grew into what is now Norfolk Botanical
Garden. Last fall a reporter and photographer from the Virginian-Pilot
joined Ms. Joyce for a tour of the grounds. It was only the
second time she'd been here since she was a teen. The only
original WPA worker believed still alive, Ms. Joyce was featured
in the Pilot's African American Today in January.
She was also recently interviewed by students of Ruffner Academy
's Community Problem Solving Team. The middle and high school
students are currently working on a video documenting the
project and its significance to Norfolk 's history.
The work that Ms. Joyce
and all the original gardeners did in the 1930's and 40's
is an integral part of our history. In February, as part of
our African American History Month celebration, Norfolk Botanical
Garden dedicated a brick to honor her contributions to the
beauty that still bestows the Garden today. Ms. Joyce was
hospitalized at the time and was not able to attend. The brick
has been permanently placed on the pathway between Baker Hall
and Rose Garden Hall.
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Norfolk Botanical Garden
is located at 6700 Azalea Garden Road, Exit 279 from I-64.
Garden hours are 9 am-5 pm daily. Admission is $6/adults,
$5/seniors, $4/children (6-16), and children under 5 free.
Boat tours are $3 ( Children under 5 free). For more
information, contact Norfolk Botanical Garden at (757) 441-5838.
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