|
It was during the 1920s to 1940s that Lois collected
magazine clippings of American gardens that she found
particularly fascinating.
This online
exhibition features 15 images from her scrapbook.
It is a wonderful sample of “New England”
garden designs and trends from the period 1920 to
1940.
It is interesting to note
that although the images are in black and white they
still retain an aesthetic beauty; a remarkable testimony
to the creativity and perseverance of these gardeners.
On a romantic note, during
Lois Travis’ scrapbook venture, she was recruited
by a close friend to attend a lecture on, of all things,
rock gardens. She made it very clear to her friend
that rock gardens were of absolutely no interest to
her. However, as her social calendar was not terribly
full she reluctantly agreed to attend.
When the lecturer Mr. (Archibald)
Thornton, arrived at the podium Lois quickly changed
her mind about rock gardens. Nobody had told her that
the Speaker was such a handsome young man from England.
Lois, sitting in the front
row, exchanged numerous glances with the dashing lecturer,
then Cupid pointed his arrow and the rest was history.
Now who ever said garden
lectures were boring?
To conclude, they married
and lived happily ever after, producing one daughter,
Ms. Jane Thornton Iselin, who to this day keeps their
story and pictures alive.
|
