CHASE CITY
Sponsored by The Brunswick Garden Club
Saturday, April 19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
MacCallum More Museum and Gardens
603 Hudgins St
Chase City, VA
Admission: $3.50
For information, call Liz Lowrance (434) 372-0502.
Colorful garden paths winding by historic treasures contribute to
the enjoyable atmosphere of MacCallum More Museum and
Gardens. MacCallum More is Scottish for “Home of the
Clan,” and each area of the gardens is dedicated to a relation of the
Hudgins family. Lucy Morton Hudgins, wife of Edward Wrenn Hudgins, former
Chief Justice of the Virginia Supreme Court, began the formal gardens in
1929. Their son, Naval Commander William Henry Hudgins, brought home
statues and fountains from all over the world. Within the five acres are
found a fascinating moongate, a stone cloister from Spain with each column
depicting a story from the Bible, a Granada fountain and other statuary.
In the spring, azaleas, redbud and dogwood create a beautiful mass of color.
The five-acre maintained gardens, arboretum and wildlife habitat feature
a memorial white garden, a pink garden, a rose garden and other plants and
flowers — all highlighting the unique collection of fountains, statues
and architectural elements from around the world.
The Museum contains the Arthur Robertson Collection of Indian
Artifacts that was purchased by Mr. Hudgins before his death. The collection
dates from 9500 BC to 1600 AD and illustrates the seven periods of Native American
culture. The Museum also houses permanent exhibits of Thyne Institute, an African-American
boarding and day school established in 1876 in Chase City, and the Mecklenburg
Springs Hotel and Spa Exhibit. The Gardens contain a Certified Backyard Wildlife
Habitat area, as well as being an official site on the Virginia Birding and
Wildlife Trail. The Gift Shop, located in the original carriage house,
offers a wonderful assortment of garden-related items and gift ideas.