Welcome Home, George Washington: A lecture with Dean Norton

“See to it that you keep it the Home of Washington.” That was the charge of Ann Pamela Cunningham, the founder of the Mount Vernon Ladies Association, upon her retirement in 1874. For over 160 years, people have studied, researched and dug the earth for clues helping make the home of George Washington one of the most accurately restored 18th century estates in America. The beauty, use and importance of Mount Vernon’s gardens and landscape will be discussed as well as preservation over the years. With over 55 years of employment for the Mount Vernon Ladies Association, Norton’s presentation is not a history lesson, but an informative yet entertaining look at the gardening world of George Washington, the Ladies’ Association and personal stories. This event is presented by the South Carolina Botanical Garden in partnership with the Brooks Center for the Performing Arts Dean Norton began employment at Mount Vernon Estate on June 23, 1969, and never left. After receiving a degree in horticulture from Clemson University he began his horticultural career as the estates boxwood gardener. He was promoted to horticulturist in 1980 and is to this day responsible for applying the latest plant science and management techniques of horticulture in a historic setting. For the past 55 years, Dean has devoted considerable time to researching 18th-century gardens and gardening practices and has led the restoration effort of the principal historic gardens and overall landscape at Mount Vernon Estate. He has received awards for conservation from The Daughters of the American Revolution, The Garden Club of America, The American Horticulture Society as well as the Garden Club of America’s prestigious Elizabeth Craig Weaver Proctor National Medal. He is an honorary member of The Garden Club of Virginia and The Garden Club of Providence. Dean received an honorary doctorate from Washington College, serves on several historic property boards, lectures nationally and internationally and most recently, by Presidential Appointment, was asked to serve on the Committee for the Preservation of the White House.