Betty Sheffield Memorial Garden - Quitman, Georgia
Betty Sheffield Memorial Garden - Quitman, Georgia
| Facility Address | 121 North Culpepper St Quitman, GA 31643 |
|---|---|
| Hours of Operation | The Betty Sheffield Garden is on the museum grounds and is accessible during daylight hours. The Museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. We will gladly accept tours, however we ask that all large-scale visits are coordinated with the staff in advance. |
| Website | https://www.exploregeorgia.org/quitman/outdoors-nature/trails-tours/betty-sheffield-memorial-camellia-garden |
| Contact | Sheila Self, Curator |
| Phone | (229) 263-6000 |
| brookscountymcc@windstream.net |
About the Garden
Quitman, often referred to as the Camellia City, was the home of Betty Sheffield, the First Lady of Camellias. The Museum & Cultural Center serves as a center for education and research boasting a large collection of local Civil War artifacts and an impressive set of genealogy records.
The Brooks County Museum and Cultural Center is a non-profit organization governed by its' Board of Directors. Artifacts, items and publications on display are from donations from the public. The M & CC is located in the old library building just east of the Courthouse square in Quitman's large historic district. The old Library was designed by the famous architect Lloyd Greer and was constructed in 1933.
The City of Quitman owned the building and sold it to Community Clubs, Inc. This group comprises the 13 local civic clubs who joined together to save the old Library Building and create the Historical Museum.
About the Camellia Collection
Total number of camellia plants: 30
Number of distinct camellia cultivars or species: Unknown
The garden features a life-size bronze statue of Quitmaninte Betty Sheffield. The "Betty Sheffield Supreme" camellia was named for Quitmanite Mrs. Elsbeth "Betty" Sheffield, whose work with Camellia japonicas is well-known among camellia enthusiasts.
