Southern Garden History Society

The Southern Garden History Society (SGHS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the study and appreciation of historic gardens in the Southern United States. Founded in 1982 by garden historians, it brings together scholars, professors, landscape architects, horticultural historians, students, and gardeners from diverse backgrounds and institutions.

Mission and Scope

SGHS aims to advance scholarship and awareness of historic gardens through research, education, and preservation. Its geographic scope primarily includes fourteen Southern states and Washington, D.C.: Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia[1].

Activities

The Society supports various activities to achieve its mission:

• Membership and Community: With nearly 500 members across the nation and internationally, SGHS fosters a community that includes individuals from libraries, historic estates, botanic gardens, museums, and home gardens[1].
• Research and Publication: SGHS publishes the quarterly journal Magnolia, which features book reviews on topics related to historic gardens and garden restoration since 1984[3]. The Society also compiles and publishes Southern Plant Lists, a collection of primary source documents detailing the history of plant cultivation in Southern gardens[2].
• Scholarships and Awards: SGHS offers scholarships and fellowships to support students and young professionals in attending its annual meetings. These include the Undergraduate Scholarship, the James R. Cothran Graduate Fellowship, and the Young Professional Grant[4]. The organization also presents awards like the Flora Ann Bynum Medal and the Certificate of Merit to recognize outstanding contributions to historic garden preservation and research[5].

Annual Meetings

The Society hosts annual meetings, providing opportunities for members to engage in discussions, workshops, and networking relevant to the study and preservation of Southern garden history. For instance, the 2025 annual meeting is scheduled for Mobile, Alabama[4].