Press Releases
May 4, 2011
VLM to dedicate Holt Native Plant Conservatory May 6
On Friday, May 6 at 1:30pm, the Virginia Living Museum will dedicate the Holt Native Plant Conservatory honoring the long-time support of Mary Sherwood Holt and her late husband, Quincy. Guests can tour the conservatory and enjoy refreshments after the ceremony, plus Maypoles on the green.
Located in the former songbird aviary in the Wason Education Center, the Holt Native Plant Conservatory has more than 830 square feet of
plant propagation, greenhouse and horticulture storage space. The Museum
will be growing and quarantining larger plant material for use in
animal exhibits. Hard-to-find ornamental native trees and shrubs will be
propagated here. And, most exciting of all, the museum will begin to experiment
with, and perfect, propagation methods for rare and endangered native
plant species. Students will be able to use the propagation areas as
part of their museum classes. They will be educated on the importance of
plants in our ecosystems and experience the joy that comes from growing
them. Visitors will also have access to the conservatory through
horticulture tours and special events.
The
Conservatory is part of many planned garden improvements, including the
opening of the expanded Children’s Garden in spring 2012. This
expansion is being supported in part by a $50,000 challenge grant from
the Mary Morton Parsons Foundation of Richmond. The Holt family and the
Huntington and Green Springs garden clubs have committed leadership
support towards the match. Support has also come from the Hampton Roads
Community Foundation. Members can help with the challenge by purchasing decorative pavers to adorn the new garden path.
The Virginia Living Museum is a private non-profit museum and education center dedicated to connecting people to nature through educational experiences that promote conservation. It has been in operation since 1966 and is accredited by both the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the American Association of Museum.
The museum is located at 524 J. Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News, I64, exit 258A.
For more information call 757-595-1900 or visit www.thevlm.org .
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