Winter gives gardeners some time to think. We become green thumb philosophers. Here are some random thoughts:
By: Deputy Director, Museum Operations and Gardens Perry Mathewes
Hellebores are one of the few winter-flowering plants we have in the garden.
"We do not forget each other even after school days are over."
By Adult Programs Manager Sally Meyer
Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley boast schools and universities with a national reputation for producing scholars and productive members of their community (and I’m not just saying that because many of the MSV staff graduated from high school or college in the Valley).
The flip of the calendar from December to January marks the first of three Leap Years that will occur this decade. While Leap Year only occurs only every four years, it never fails to leave its mark on the popular culture of the time.
By: Curator of Collections Nick Powers
Gardeners don’t like squirrels, for the most part. Yet here we are, on the eve of Squirrel Appreciation Day, trying to muster, at best, lukewarm feelings for the furry little fauna.
By: Horticulturist Chantal Ludder
January, notably cold and dreary, is the time to curl up somewhere warm with a pile of notes, drawings, and seed catalogues, dreaming of gardens to come. It can feel a little lonesome for a gardener when you are waiting for spring thaw – until you hear about an upcoming seed exchange.
By Horticulturist Chantal Ludder
This hoard of papers, along with personal photographs, made its way into the MSV in 1996 as part of Julian Wood Glass Jr.’s estate. Since that time the materials have been sitting in collections storage with their contents largely unknown and inaccessible to researchers and staff members.
By Registrar/Collections Manager Lauren Fleming
Several years ago, the MSV's executive director asked me if I’d like to try to make an evergreen dress to go along with our Holiday Display. We were hosting the Cut! Costume and the Cinema exhibit at the time. It was such a fun challenge; I decided to try something similar the next year. Then holiday sculptures became something of a tradition.
By Horticulturalist Chantal Ludder
There is a saying that history is not always pretty. That sentiment is certainly true of material culture—everyday objects created and used by people in the past.
By Registrar/Collections Manager Lauren Fleming
Thanksgiving and the holiday shopping season are upon us! Whether you are looking to shop or get away from it all this weekend, please stop by the MSV.
By Bonnie Barr
Have you ever thought about taking one of the many wonderful workshops we offer at the MSV but talked yourself out of it because you doubt your artistic abilities? Well, you are not alone.
By Director of Education Mary Ladrick
