This hand-colored copperplate engraving of a sunflower by Basilius Besler was published in his seminal work, Hortus Eystettensis, in 1613. One of few crops species that originated in North America, the name sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) comes from the Greek “helios” (sun) and “Anthos” (flower). Historically and today, sunflowers were grown for food, seeds, and oil. A sunflower head can produce up to 1,000 seeds!
Interested in gardening, landscape design, garden history, horticulture, floral design, botanical art, cultural landscapes, natural landscapes, and plant ecology?
Come see over 40,000 books, photographs, manuscripts, seed catalogs, and landscape drawings included in the Cherokee Garden Library, a library of the Kenan Research Center.
These rare and valuable resources tell the diverse and meaningful stories of the people and plants that have shaped the Southeastern United States and areas of influence throughout the world.
Information about hours, location, and appointments here.
Contact Staci L. Catron, Cherokee Garden Library Director, at 404.814.4046 or scatron@atlantahistorycenter.com
Atlanta History Center is excited to partner with Black in the Garden for a special four-part podcast series exploring Gardens and Cultural Landscapes of Black America, the new digital collection from Cherokee Garden Library. Host Colah B Tawkin explains how this partnership came to be.
Learn MoreBlack in the Garden. Podcast.
Upcoming Events
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Explore stories from the Cherokee Garden Library collection, including collection acquisitions, collection highlights, book conservation projects, garden history narratives, historic landscape documentation, programs, donor recognition, and more.
The Historic Preservation Medal is given for outstanding work in the field of preservation and/or restoration of historic gardens or buildings of national importance.
Read MorePast Programs
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Author Talks
The Well-Gardened Mind: The Restorative Power of NatureWednesday, Oct 16, 2024 @ 7:00 pm -
Our Founding
Founded by the Cherokee Garden Club in 1975, the Cherokee Garden Library is a member of the Southern Garden History Society and The Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries.
Learn more about the founding of the Cherokee Garden Library.
For even more information about the Cherokee Garden Library, please contact Garden Library Director, Staci Catron, at 404.814.4046 or scatron@atlantahistorycenter.com.
Chair
Blair Robbins
Advisory Board
Betty Balentine
Elaine Bolton
Helen Bost
Adelaide Burton
Jennifer Cruse-Sanders
Elise Drake
Debbie Edwards
Richard Harker
Hank Harris
D L Henderson
May B. Hollis
Maudie Huff
Dale Jaeger
Harriet Kirkpatrick
Jim Landon
Abra Lee
Adam Martin
Alvin Moore
Mary Moore
Anne Mori
Claire Reid
Blair Robbins
Claire Schwahn
Charlie Sears
Alex Smith
Melissa Stahel
Rosa Sumter
Martha Tate
Chris Wakefield
Jane Whitaker
Cherokee Garden Library Chairman for GCG
Elaine Hazleton Bolton
Azalea District
Elaine Clark Smith
Camellia District
TBD
Dogwood District
Lee C. Dunn
Laurel District
Mikel Vann
Magnolia District
TBD
Oleander District
Hilda Rushing
Redbud District
Bonnie Pennington
Ann Purr
Explore. More.
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Exhibition
Founded by the Cherokee Garden Club of Atlanta in 1975, the Cherokee Garden Library is named for the state floral emblem of Georgia, the Cherokee rose (Rosa laevigata) and is one of the special collection libraries of the Kenan Research Center.
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Exhibition
Through photographs, postcards, landscape plans, and manuscripts, Seeking Eden highlights the importance of historic gardens in Georgia.
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Buildings & Grounds
Explore highlights of Southeastern horticultural history by taking in 33 acres of enchanting gardens, woodlands, and trails.
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Learning & Research
Researchers can explore much of Atlanta History Center’s museum, archival, and oral history collections online.