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August 17th, 2002
Norfolk botanical Gardens Norfolk, VA
Bloom times is May/Early June for most blooms. In October, there's the Enchanted forest for ghoulish fun. In the photos below you'll see one of a mermaid Statue. There are over 120 of these mermaids on the banks. You'll also note the giant heads. The heads have now been moved to Williamsburg, joining the rest of them from around the country. There is one for every President.
The statuary are of renaissance artists (my favorites). They were carved from Cararra marble by Moses Ezekiel in Rome between 1879 and 1884 for William Wilson Corcoran, founder of the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. They depict notable pre-twentieth century painters and sculptors such as Rembrandt, Rubens, Canova, Phidias, Murillo, Durer and Da Vinci.
Other highlights are the Japanese Garden, Rose Garden, Butterfly Garden, Azalea Garden and Wildflower meadow. Weddings can be performed in the gardens and while we were there, chairs were being set up in three of the gardens. The Azalea Festival begins here with the crowning of the Azalea Queen. Words of advice: 155 acres is huge, so wear warm clothing in winter, cool clothing in summer, good walking shoes and carry lots of water. The gardens are open 365 days a year!
Cost when we went was $6 for an adult ticket which included a 15 minute train ride. For an extra $3 each, you could have taken a 15 minute boat ride as well, but it was just too hot to do this. Prices have changes most likely, so visit official website for days/hours of operation and prices.
There are plenty of benches all around to stop at. There are a few water fountains and there is a soda machine at the Butterfly garden. Two restrooms; one at the butterfly garden and one at the main Visitor center were noted. One restaurant at the front gate offers soup and sandwiches.
Left to right: 1) Gardens 2) Cobblestone Bridge 3) Flowering Crepe Myrtles 4) Geese 5) Renaissance Pavilion
Lighthouse: 1) Herbert Hoover Giant bust 2) Kennedy Giant Bust 3) Martin Van Buren Giant Bust 4) Sue with Giant Head 5) Woodrow Wilson and Thomas Jefferson Giant Busts
Left to Right: 1) Reagan Bust 2) Scott coming off Train 3) A Winding Path 4) One of Norfolk's infamous Mermaids
Left to Right: 1) Leonardo Da Vinci 2) Michelangelo 3) Raphael 4) Rembrandt 5) Rubens 6) Titian
Informative or interesting links:
My Botanical Gardens in Washington DC Page
My International Peace Gardens Page
My North Carolina Elizabethan Gardens Page
Photos copyrighted to www.dahoovsplace.com E-mail: dahoov2@cox.net