Photo Gallery I

Photo Gallery II

Spring Views

Its Movers and Shakers

The Adams Garden has matured through the dedicated work of Madelynn Watkinson, a volunteer from Williamsburg who has worked with support from the College staff to create a quiet point of beauty. Madelynn started to weed the garden on her own in 1986 and got two parking tickets while doing so. Roy Williams (W&M Facilities Managment Director at the time) ended up giving Madelynn a parking permit so that she could continue her work. He then designed the seating arrangement and flow of the garden which, at that point, became an official College garden. The rest is history.

Madelynn W. Watkinson's Legacy of College and Community Friends

Madelynn moved to Silver Spring, Maryland but not before a wonderful farewell reception was held for her in the Great Hall of the Christopher Wren Building. She will be missed by many in this community.

Its Funding

Limited funding is provided by the College and through the support of visitors and friends of the College. In 2003 the Greater Williamsburg Community Trust gave a $1,000.00 grant to the Endowment Association of the College to be applied toward the Adams Garden greenhouse heating expenses. But we are now looking to endow the Adams Garden so that it can continue in perpetuity. Everyone knows that we won't find another Madelynn Watkinson to care for it on her own.

An endowment will ensure that the garden will continue to provide students, staff and friends of the College a haven of beauty within the College and surrounding community. The needed budget will (1) pay knowledgeable staff to work in the garden at least three days a week year-round; (2) cover greenhouse heating expenses; (3) pay for needed fertilizers and the occasional replacement plants; (4) replenish the oyster shells for the garden's walkways; and (5) maintain the garden's perimeter fence and benches.

The goal is for the Adams Garden to remain a mature, cultivated, all-season perennial garden that is kept in as natural a state as possible. And the College's current facilities management director, John D. McFarlane, knows exactly what is needed to keep it that way.

Contact John for additional information: telephone +1 (757) 221-2256, Fax +1 (757) 221-2254, e-mail: jdmcfa@wm.edu

How You Can Help

Tax-deductible donations may be designated for the Adams Garden expendable account. Such donations, with a short letter of intent and your check made out to "The College of William and Mary," should be mailed to W&M's gift accounting office that will then send you a tax receipt. You can also consider making a specific bequest to the Adams Garden in your Last Will and Testament.