The winner of the 2009 Massie Medal for Distinguished Achievement presents herself as she presents her work, with breath taking fashion. She is graceful and informative as are the contributions she has made to The Garden Club of Virginia and the Commonwealth of Virginia. She is dedicated. She is insightful. She is a gardener and a horticulturist. She is Margaret Page Bemiss. Margaret Page Bemiss (Mrs. FitzGerald Bemiss) is truly a gifted scholar, writer and editor.
As a member of the Restoration Committee, she chaired a committee to investigate the re-printing of Historic Virginia Gardens by Dottie Williams. When the recommendation came from professionals not to reprint, Margaret took an enormous leap of faith and committed to write her own scholarly treatise, Historic Virginia Gardens: Preservation Work of The Garden Club of Virginia 1975-2007.
This documentation of The Garden Club of Virginia’s Restoration Projects has been a labor of love that began in 2002. The labor was difficult and Margaret’s love of the intellectual pursuit never failed. Through her perseverance, this energetic historian and writer has given a priceless gift to the readers in Virginia and across the nation. The James River Garden Club is proud to have her as one of their most valued members.
Margaret shares her expertise with her club as well, serving The James River Garden Club in the areas of horticulture, garden design, beautification, restoration and history. She was the co – editor of her club’s cookbook A Taste of Virginia. She and her co-editor received their club’s most prestigious award, The Jeffress Bowl, awarded to the member who has contributed invaluable service to the activities and ideals of the club.
The City of Richmond has also benefited from her desire to preserve the future of Virginia’s natural and historical resources. While serving on the Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University, Margaret was instrumental in the University’s recognizing the historic value of many properties in its vicinity. She encouraged the restoring and preservation of some of these properties. She has worked tirelessly to preserve Monroe Park, a 7.3 acre city park located in the center of downtown Richmond restoring it to a place friendly to the citizens. Margaret helped oversee the creation of a master plan that will ensure the proper stewardship of the majestic landscape and architectural treasures of the important and historic cemetery, Hollywood.
Margaret Page Bemiss has made significant contributions to the commonwealth’s botanical and architectural heritage through her action, word and deed. She has served The Garden Club of Virginia with unusual dedication and distinction. She is a scholar, a writer, a gardener and the quintessential Virginian.
