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Join us for a special Bicentennial dedication celebrating beauty, history, and legacy. At 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 13, the public is invited to gather on the Historic Lowndes County Courthouse Lawn for the official planting of the First Ladies’ Camellia Collection in honor of Lowndes County’s Bicentennial. Be a part of history as this remarkable collection, rooted in Lowndes County, takes its place on the Historic Courthouse East lawn - blooming each winter as a living reminder of our 200th Anniversary.About the Collection:
This distinctive camellia collection was inspired by former First Lady Sandra Deal, who envisioned a tribute to every Georgia First Lady who has called the Governor’s Mansion home. The idea began during Governor Nathan Deal’s administration, when the Tifton Garden Club initiated a movement to name a camellia for Mrs. Deal. Upon receiving the honor, she championed the idea that each First Lady should be similarly recognized. She partnered with Mark Crawford, noted camellia expert and owner of Loch Laurel Nursery in Valdosta, to bring the vision to life. Crawford selected and cultivated new Camellia japonica varieties to represent each woman, creating a lasting tribute to their grace, strength, and public service.
The collection honors First Ladies who lived in the Governor’s Mansion on West Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead: Virginia Maddox, Betty Foy Sanders, Rosalynn Carter, Mary Beth Busbee, Elizabeth Harris, Shirley Miller, Marie Barnes, Mary Perdue, Sandra Deal, and Marty Kemp.
Today, the First Ladies of Georgia Camellias are planted at celebrated locations across the state, including the Georgia Governor’s Mansion, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens, Augusta University, Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, the Marietta Educational Garden Center, the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site in Plains, and Fancy Girl Farms in Hahira. The newest addition to this growing legacy will now bloom in Valdosta, marking a significant contribution to Lowndes County’s Bicentennial celebration.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Historic Lowndes County Courthouse Lawn, 100 East Central Ave., Valdosta, Georgia, 31601, United States
