EEA Members Rediscover John Muir’s Botanical Legacy at the Atlanta History Museum

On a gorgeous Saturday afternoon, December 3rd, 2011, EEA Members joined together at the Atlanta History Center to learn about author, botanist, explorer and lover of nature, John Muir.  Led by Cherokee Garden Library Director Staci Catron, members learned about his travels in North America and his special experiences and fondness for the southeast.  

Staci shared a synthesis of interesting stories from Muir’s life and writings, including his early connections with gardens and with his mother.  In the exhibit we saw beautiful Images and specimens of plants from Muir’s travels that he carried by pocket, sent back to family members, and that also gave him a sense of connection to the land.

After the exhibit tour, we had a special experience in the Cherokee library, seeing a rare 10-book collection of Muir’s writings that the library hopes to acquire in the future.  It was then shortly after that, we grabbed hot cocoa and tea and strolled through the Mary Howard Gilbert Memorial Quarry Garden, learning about medicinal uses of the quarry’s plants by EEA’s very own Mary Terry.  We saw a huge sycamore intertwisted to the sky and many other fascinating and beautiful plants making it hard to leave!

For more information about the Atlanta History Center and their gardens, please visit their website.