NORFOLK
- In an effort to accurately
preserve and commemorate the rich history of Norfolk Botanical
Garden , the Garden is in search of families and descendants
of Depression-era WPA (Works Progress Administration) workers
to participate in an oral, historical documentation of the
story of how this community treasure was started. The project
is being done in cooperation with the Ruffner Academy
Community Problem Solving Team.
In
1938, after Norfolk city manager Thomas P. Thompson secured
a grant from the WPA to hire the workers, 200 African American
women and men initiated the daunting task of clearing some
25-acres of tree-filled swampland to plant some 4000 azaleas.
The
women and men are all believed to have died, however the
Garden is in search of families or descendents with connections
to these women who are willing to be interviewed for an
oral history to collect a more accurate and complete history
of the amazing contribution these women have made to Norfolk
Botanical Garden. Many of the azaleas that were
planted some 60 years ago are still thriving in the Garden
today.
These
oral histories are an essential first step in the effort
for the Garden to establish an official commemoration to
these women who were so integral in the creation of what
is now a 155-acre Garden that continues to grow and thrive.
If
anyone has any information or contacts regarding the WPA
workers, please contact Ann Parsons ,
Director of Education at Norfolk Botanical
Garden at 757-441-5830 ext. 335 or ann.parsons@nbgs.org
. 6700 Azalea Garden Road ,
Norfolk , Va.
23518 .
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Norfolk Botanical
Garden is located at 6700 Azalea Garden Road , Exit 279
from I-64. Garden hours are
9 am-7 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.
Visit
our new and improved website at www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org
