“A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” Greek proverb
“Those who labour in the earth are the chosen people of God.” Thomas Jefferson
John had help from the students at Williamson Technical School as well as the staff at PHS.
Staff members from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society asked me to talk. I agreed. If an opportunity presents itself to share a good word on the cause of botany before an enthusiastic audience, one should always accept it.
The audience was stilled by the discussion of John’s position in horticultural history.
The presentation was a give and take. Reviewing nearly 300 years of horticultural history can be a daunting proposition if all that’s covered is facts, figures, faces, and fictions.
After the introduction, I had the audience to myself.
It’s much better if the history takes second place to interest, enthusiasm and contemporary point of reference.
The amplification device suited my mood and costume.
I was directed to use a device to project my voice over a large area of benched seating. There was a crowd of people collected on the seats while others walked past during and around the events of the hour.
I had a full house at the first appearance.
Questions were asked and answered. And I was included in the discussion. “Who was I?” “What did I do?” “Are you William Penn?” (That was a popular question posed throughout the day!) “How do you ship plants in wooden ships?”
The snake on the stick was a great topic of conversation. Throughout my entire appearance on the show floor.
All of the questions were well received and thoroughly dissected.
Louise Clarke was present to confirm some of the horticultural details.
I must say that it was a pleasurable honor to be asked to speak. It was a momentous occasion to then have a repeat performance on a second night. It allowed me to change my linen and present a much more formal front.
Large format advertising. The best format there is!
As for my wife, Ann had finally been allowed to come out from the fireside and experience her husband’s rhetoric in the first person.
“Wait a moment!”
It’s a grand night when family members can come together in public to bask in the reflected glow of the limelight.
Kirk joins Sara out of context and out of character during the Press Preview of the Philadelphia Flower Show. It’s an awesome experience to see the exhibits being installed!
John Bartram Lives! 