THE PROPOSAL FOR THE LIBERTY HYDE BAILEY WALK FOR THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY IN ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA by Melody Joy Gray A thesis submitted to the Faculty of the University of Delaware in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Public Horticulture Spring 2006 Copyright 2006 Melody Joy Gray All Rights Reserved UMI Number: 1435928 UMI Microform 1435928 Copyright 2006 by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1346 THE PROPOSAL FOR THE LIBERTY HYDE BAILEY WALK FOR THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY IN ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA by Melody Joy Gray Approved: __________________________________________________________ Robert E. Lyons, Ph.D. Professor in charge of thesis on behalf of the Advisory Committee Approved: __________________________________________________________ Robin W. Morgan, Ph.D. Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Approved: __________________________________________________________ Conrado M. Gempesaw, II, Ph.D. Vice Provost for Academic and International Programs ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The completion of this thesis is the culmination of months of hard work and dedication. Special thanks are extended to my thesis committee: Bob Lyons, Ron Kagawa, Jim Swasey, and Tom Underwood. Thank you for your hours of editing and advising and your thoughtful insights. I truly had no clue how to accomplish this when I started and now look where I am because of you! Gerry Zuka, thank you for your shoulder to cry on and your constant encouragement. It has been a delight working with you. Mike and Jo Adams, words are simply not enough. Thank you for your support, encouragement, friendship, prayers, and your living room. Thanks also to my small group Bible study: the Adams, the Bradleys, the Johnsons, the Morrises, the Watkins, the Williamsons, and Cate Prestowitz. You have proven over and over the power of prayer, thank you! Mom, Dad, and Meridith thank you for being who you are! The examples you set by your work ethics and your positive outlooks inspire me to be better than I ever imagined I could be. I am so blessed to have a family like you. To my fiancé Jeff, thank you for allowing me to follow my dreams and the call of God in my life. You push me daily to go above and beyond in all areas of my life and I am a better person for knowing you. I look forward to supporting you as you chase your dreams. Finally, to my God and Savior Jesus Christ, without you I am nothing. Thank you for your continual grace and mercy in my life. My cup runneth over. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES.......................................................................................................vi ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................viii I. Introduction & Justification ........................................................................................ 1 A. Introduction ................................................................................................... 1 B. Justification.................................................................................................... 2 C. Bibliography .................................................................................................. 4 II. Methodology.............................................................................................................. 5 A. Literature Review and Background Research ............................................... 5 B. Human Subjects Review................................................................................ 5 C. Washington, D.C. Metro Area Investigation ................................................. 6 D. Landscape Architecture Investigation ........................................................... 6 E. Focus Groups at George Washington’s River Farm (AHS Headquarters) ............................................................................................ 8 F. Designing the Liberty Hyde Bailey Walk for AHS ....................................... 9 III. The Influence of Liberty Hyde Bailey on American Horticulture ......................... 11 A. Bailey’s Early Life....................................................................................... 12 B. “The Father of American Horticulture”....................................................... 13 i. American Horticulture and Education ................................................. 13 ii. American Horticulture and Technology ............................................. 14 iii. American Horticulture and Community ............................................ 15 iv. American Horticulture and Publication ............................................. 16 C. Conclusion ................................................................................................... 17 D. Bibliography ................................................................................................ 18 IV. Findings.................................................................................................................. 20 A. Landscape Architect Interviews .................................................................. 20 i. A Reflection on Signage ...................................................................... 20 ii. Emotionally Evocative Gardens.......................................................... 22 iii. Creative License................................................................................. 23 iv. Use of Material................................................................................... 24 B. Relevance to the Liberty Hyde Bailey Walk ............................................... 25 C. Design Applications from the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial ......... 26 i. Signage at the FDR Memorial.............................................................. 27 ii. Emotional Experience ......................................................................... 27 iii. Individual Design............................................................................... 27 iv. Use of Material................................................................................... 28 D. American Horticultural Society (AHS) Focus Groups................................ 28 iv i. AHS Focus Group Questions .............................................................. 29 ii. Necessities for the Liberty Hyde Bailey Walk.................................... 30 iii. Communicating Bailey’s Stories ....................................................... 32 iv. Important Inclusions for the Liberty Hyde Bailey Walk ................... 32 v. Interpreting the Liberty Hyde Bailey Walk......................................... 34 E. Conclusion ................................................................................................... 35 F. Bibliography................................................................................................. 36 V. Design...................................................................................................................... 44 A. Design Assumptions.................................................................................... 44 B. The Four Themes......................................................................................... 45 i. Theme Definitions................................................................................ 46 ii. Education............................................................................................. 46 iii. Technology......................................................................................... 47 iv. Community......................................................................................... 48 v. Publication........................................................................................... 49 C. Design Overview ......................................................................................... 51 i. LHB Walk as Entry to AHS................................................................. 52 ii. Shaded Seating and Gathering Spaces................................................ 52 iii. Paving and Plantings.......................................................................... 52 iv. Pedestrian vs. Vehicular Traffic......................................................... 53 v. Liberty Hyde Bailey Award Winners.................................................. 53 D. Conclusion................................................................................................... 54 E. Bibliography................................................................................................. 55 Appendix A: Washington, D.C. Metro Area E-mail Research .................................... 73 Appendix A1: First Participation Invitation E-mail Sample............................ 75 Appendix A2: Participation Follow-Up Email Sample.................................... 76 Appendix B: Landscape Architect Interview Research ............................................... 77 Appendix B1: Pre-Participation Invitation E-mail Sample.............................. 79 Appendix B2: Participation Invitation Letter Sample...................................... 80 Appendix B3: Designer Matrix ........................................................................ 81 Appendix C: American Horticultural Society