Res. 2001-9

Whereas, Sir Evelyn Wrench, founder of the English Speaking Union, had the vision and foresight to suggest the idea of building an Elizabethan garden at Fort Raleigh as a tribute to the Roanoke colonists; and

Whereas, Mrs. Charles Cannon and Mrs. Inglis Fletcher worked with much energy and zeal to promote the idea to the Garden Club of North Carolina; and

Whereas, the Garden Club of North Carolina formally adopted the project in the spring of 1951 and worked tirelessly to gain support and solicit contributions for the Elizabethan Gardens; and

Whereas, the Roanoke Island Historical Association entered into a 99-year lease with the Garden Club of North Carolina for the use of 10.5 acres of land within the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site for the development of the Elizabethan Gardens; and

Whereas, the Elizabethan Gardens committee and its chairs, including Mrs. James M. Tyler, Mrs. Glenn Long, Mrs. Roy M. Homewood, and Mrs. Corbett E. Howard, led the effort to create and develop the Elizabethan Gardens from 1951 through 1964; and

Whereas, the Elizabethan Gardens committee had the vision and wisdom to secure the services of the nationally renowned landscape architects Umberto Innocenti and Richard K. Webel to design the Elizabethan Gardens; and

Whereas, outstanding builders and craftsmen, including Mr. E.W. Reinecke, Mr. Albert Q. "Skipper" Bell, and others, were hired to build the Elizabethan Gardens; and

Whereas, during the last 50 years, the Honorable John Hay Whitney, Mr. Paul Green, The Honorable and Mrs. C. Douglas Dillon, and numerous other garden club members, citizens, and State agencies have contributed plants, statuary, in-kind services, and funds to continue improving the Elizabethan Gardens; and

Whereas, the Elizabethan Gardens trustees, including Mrs. H.R. Totten, Mrs. J.R. Bennett, and Mrs. Roscoe D. McMillan, worked with great commitment to benefit the Elizabethan Gardens from 1958 until 1974; and

Whereas, Mr. Louis Midgette, Sr. and numerous other staff members and volunteers worked tirelessly to care for and develop the Elizabethan Gardens; and

Whereas, the Elizabethan Gardens Board of Governors, along with numerous consultants, horticulturists, craftsmen, architects, and landscape architects, has carried on the work of its predecessors since 1974; and

Whereas, the Garden Club of North Carolina and all of its member clubs continue to support the Elizabethan Gardens; and

Whereas, the efforts of the people named herein have resulted in the creation of a public garden widely celebrated and acclaimed for its beauty and educational efforts; and

Whereas, the Elizabethan Gardens have been enjoyed by visitors from all 50 states and over 40 foreign countries; Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

SECTION 1. The General Assembly honors the life and memory of all the individuals named in this resolution for their role in the development of the Elizabethan Gardens. The General Assembly congratulates the Garden Club of North Carolina for 50 years of exemplary service to the State of North Carolina by creating and cultivating the Elizabethan Gardens and encourages the citizens of this State to visit the Elizabethan Gardens.

SECTION 2. The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Garden Club of North Carolina and the Elizabethan Gardens.

SECTION 3. This resolution is effective upon ratification.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 19^th day of April, 2001.

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Beverly E. Perdue

President of the Senate

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James B. Black

Speaker of the House of Representatives