Living History: Making a Wreath from the George Washington Magnolia
February 20th, 2025
You don’t find history in books.
Sure, you’ve read about history in history books. You also had to suffer through plenty of lectures in school on US history, European history, state history… lots of history. Maybe you were one of the lucky ones who either loved learning about history, or you just got the talented teachers.
But, any decent teacher or history expert knows history isn’t a collection of pages barely held together by a used and abused grade school textbook.
It’s fossils in the ground that eventually end up in museums.
It’s battlegrounds turned grassy hills preserved in historic sites, like Star Fort in old 96 or the Castillo San Marcos Fort in St. Augustine.
It’s every national park you’ve ever visited or plan to visit.
History is a living, breathing concept kept alive by the generations who remember and preserve it. Sometimes, the nature of history is exactly that: nature.
Today, we’re bringing you two stories of historical trees we’ve had the honor of working with and the people who made it possible along the way.
Living Legacies
The Magnolia Company is no stranger to collaborating with growers from across the United States. Plants – especially remarkable ones – are kind of our thing. So, when we get calls about trees with unique stories, we’re over the moon!
Old Friends: The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Years ago, one of our company owners, Matt Roth, made a connection with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. This 501(c)3 nonprofit organization strives to preserve the remnants of the colonial settlement in Williamsburg, Virginia. The estate boasts educational workshops, museum installations, tours, and, most importantly for plant lovers, an impressive botanical garden and arboretum.
The arboretum in particular has world class distinction, with its Level II accreditation by ArbNet – the only international industry standard for arboretums. This designation is no small feat: to obtain it, the staff and volunteers at the estate maintain over 100 unique species of trees and woody plants. (Can you imagine?!)
To further distinguish themselves and secure their Level 2 accreditation, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation maintains a network of educational programs, which are open to the public. With more than 30 historic gardens, 20 Virginia state champion trees, and 2 national champion trees, this arboretum is an East Coast must-see.
The Williamsburg Magnolia
Among the foundation’s prized trees is a magnolia grandiflora. Most folks know this tree by its common name: the Southern Magnolia. Thanks to the care of the gardeners with the Williamsburg Foundation, this tree stands on the grounds of the Nelson-Galt House and it’s the oldest magnolia on site. Towering over 65 feet tall, this 200 year old tree (yes, you read that right) is a piece of living history that dates back to 1820.
Thanks to our friends at the foundation, Matt was honored with the privilege of taking cuttings from this tree. A tree that’s over 200 years old is made of some seriously hardy stuff, and through our propagation techniques, we’re able to grow identical saplings from this tree, offering pieces of living history to our clients.
Learn more about Colonial Williamburg here!
Old Friends, New Places
We’re proud of our work with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Next time you’re in Virginia, go visit and enjoy all of the amazing education and beauty the preserve has to offer!
Matt’s friend at the foundation eventually moved on to other projects, and they were kind enough to keep The Magnolia Company in mind. Now, we’re thrilled to announce new partners in historical collaboration: The Mt. Vernon Ladies’ Association.
The Mt. Vernon Ladies’ Association
No one asked this group to form. In fact, after George Washington’s death, his estate fell into disrepair (as many things do when there’s no one working to maintain them).
Enter The Mt. Vernon Ladies’ Association. In 1853, a group of women got together and set to work forming the oldest national historic preservation site in the continental United States. It opened in 1860 to the public, and according to their website, the estate witnessed over 96 million visitors over the last 165 years. To this day, the estate averages one million visitors each year, and it’s open to the public 365 days a year. True to its formation and to honor the efforts made by its founders, the Association is managed by a Council composed solely of women.
While the Mt. Vernon Association is a nonprofit with 501(c)3 status, it receives no government funding. The preservation is funded and maintained entirely through visitor revenue, fundraisers, and donations.
Our Unique Partnership
In November of 2024, the Mt. Vernon Ladies’ Association reached out to The Magnolia Company. They’re hosting an online fundraiser auction in honor of Washington’s birthday, and it’s live now through February 22, 2025! We strongly encourage you to check it out and support our nation’s historical preservation.
The collaboration idea was simple: make a wreath! We’re pretty good at that.
The Washington Estate planted magnolias on the west side of the garden in March of 1785, and to this day, those trees still stand. We were honored to send Matt up to the estate, where he hand selected boughs from which to craft a wreath from these living giants. The wreath is a magnificent dried piece and a testament to nature’s beauty.
Check out the auction listing here!
The wreath is truly one-of-a-kind, and with proper care, it’ll last for years (just like the tree it came from!).
What’s Next?
We don’t know! But, if you know of a historical magnolia or a foundation you think we should work with, we’d love to hear your ideas! These kinds of projects are labors of love, and as stewards of nature and students of history, we know the experience of these monumental trees’ legacies is priceless.
If you visit Mt. Vernon or Colonial Williamsburg, we invite you to tell us about your experience – what struck you, what stuck with you, and what inspired you? This is how we keep history alive. Join us in being part of the legacy!
