This statue was bestowed upon the University’s Founders Memorial Garden by the National Council of State Garden Clubs to commemorate the organization’s 25th anniversary in April of 1954. The sculpture was designed and created by Sarasota, Florida native, L.T. Posey– who was also a veteran of the United States Army. The base of the statue bears an inscription that reads, “For every good thing has a beginning and the beginning was here.” An additional plaque was lately added to the statue that reads “The Ice Follies Daffodils, Cloud Ballet Irises and Sunstruck Roses in this bed were painted by artist Annie Laurie Dodd for the Southern Garden Series watercolor print collection honoring the 75th anniversary of the Founders Memorial Garden (1939-2014) and the 125th anniversary (1891-2016) of the Ladies’ Garden Club, America’s first garden club.” This organization was founded with the overall goal being “To promote a love of gardening for the amateur and the professional; to protect our native trees, wild flowers and birds; and to encourage a regard for civic beauty in our various communities.”

Sources:

Cothran, James R. “Garden Club of Georgia.” New Georgia Encyclopedia. 09 September 2014. Web. 28 September 2016.

This Blue Star Memorial By-Way Plaque can be located in the University’s Founders Memorial Garden on S. Lumpkin Street on North campus. This particular by-way plaque was dedicated on March 15, 2015 and belongs to the Azalea District and Garden Club Council. The Blue Star Memorial Program was created originally in 1944 to commemorate those who had served and continued to serve in World War II in order for the community to express their appreciation for their services. The following year, the National Council of State Garden Clubs recognized the program and established the Blue Star Highway System, which now consists of markers spanning the entire United States. It was during this World War II period in which this blue star was accepted as symbolic of the United States Armed Forces and began to appear throughout communities mostly on banners and flags in their homes, local businesses, and churches. In 1951, the Blue Star program expanded its notion to honor all service men and women who had served, was currently serving, and those who would serve in the United States Armed Forces.

 

Sources:

“The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. | Projects and Programs.” The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. | Projects and Programs. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2016.

“Garden Clubs Dedicate Blue Star Memorial Marker” Pilot, The (NC), Nov. 13, 2013.