Celebrate the West Virginia Botanic Garden’s silver anniversary, remember the pioneer behind it all, and get a head start on your garden plans for spring.
25 years ago, George W. Longenecker planted a seed at the former Tibbs Run reservoir. It wasn’t a rhododendron, nor was it milkweed—those came later. Rather, he sowed endless opportunities for education and inspiration with the founding of the West Virginia Botanic Garden. On Saturday, February 1, 2025, join the WVBG in celebrating the lifelong mission of its late founder during the inaugural George W. Longenecker Symposium.
From the moment he discovered his love for plants as a young boy, Longenecker’s passion for learning took root. After receiving his master’s in landscape architecture at the University of Illinois, he helped develop West Virginia University’s program. During his time at WVU, Longenecker pioneered another enduring feat: the WVBG’s leasing of the 82-acre former Tibbs Run Reservoir.
It didn’t look like much at the time, but Longenecker and other founding members helped a drained reservoir teeming with potential blossom into the botanic garden we know and love today. One of Longenecker’s first steps? To hire the WVBG’s first employee.
“The very first employee that was ever hired at the garden was our education director,” says Executive Director Philip Smith. “Our first focus was on nature education. That’s why people like Abigail Waugh, our current education director, are so important for carrying on George’s legacy and strengthening what he envisioned.”
Longenecker’s character can be seen throughout the Garden—but it’s especially clear in the George W. Longenecker Shade Garden. Designed by Longenecker in 2005 and dedicated to him in 2017, the shade garden is a permanent symbol of the founder’s lasting legacy at the WVBG. Since Longenecker’s death in 2023, Smith says, he and former Executive Director Bill Mills have aimed to develop a grander event to celebrate their predecessor. With one of the garden’s recent milestones, plans began to fall into place.
“Prior to having The Terrace at Tibbs Run, we had the Education Center, but capacity was limited,” says Smith of the garden’s shiny new event center and site of the symposium. “This is the first time we’ve been able to do something in the winter where people are comfortable because we have this great facility.”
During the symposium, experts in garden design and ecology will share insider tips and answer questions. Warmer days will be upon us before we know it, says Smith, so ready your green thumb. The event is intended for horticulturists and hobbyist gardeners alike—so no worries if your garden happens to be a wilting rose bush. If you share Longenecker’s love of plants, you’re invited.
Speaking of garden plans: Smith says the symposium will wrap up with a first-time look at what’s next for the WVBG.
“Site Manager Phil Cole and a committee have collected ideas and put those ideas on paper, and we have a plan for our core garden areas,” says Smith. “We’re going to reveal a sneak preview of what’s to come at the West Virginia Botanic Garden and really get excited about the future.”
In the meantime, look forward to the spring event schedule, and keep an eye out for touches of silver throughout the garden in honor of its quarter-century birthday.
READ MORE ARTICLES FROM MORGANTOWN LOWDOWN
Leave a Reply