The Living history classroom : an educational service of the Tryon Palace Restoration

32 Pages·1991·8 MB·English

by  North Carolina. Tryon Palace Commission

LIVING HISTORY
^
Classroom
•4-k
An Educational Service of Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens
Volume No. 5 November 1996
FAVORITE LESSONS
FROM THE LIVING
FIFTH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
HISTORY CLASSROOM
Remember this Gentleman ... 2
Answers to Puzzles ... 3
Year-Round Classroom ... 4 Welcome back to our Living History
Classroom! This issue marks our fifth
An Architect's View ... 6
anniversary of publication. To celebrate
African American History ... 8 the event, we've gathered some of our
best features from issues past. We have focused on
Not-So-Secret Gardens .. 10
the articles and activities that chronicle the history of
Book 'Em! ..12 the people who governed, lived, and worked at
Tryon Palace and our other historic sites.
Time for the Tryons .. 14
Margaret Wake Tryon . .16 We look forward to bringing you another year of
snapshots from the past. As always, if you have
Cross Words . .17
questions or suggestions, we'd love to hear from
His Excellency's Daughter . .18 you. We also welcome submissions from teachers or
students. Please write or phone:
Word Scramble .. 20
Jumbled Journals .. 21
Living History Classroom
Tryon Household . . 22
Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens
A Good Servant .. 23 P. O. Box 1007
New Bern, North Carolina 28563
Ye Olde Jeopardye .. 24
[phone]
Tryon Palace Puzzle .. 26 [phone]
Christmas Customs .. 27
Christmas Quiz .. 31
Myth of the Month .. 32 Printed in U.S.A. 1,500 copies printed at $.98 per copy, courtesy
of the Kellenberger Historical Foundation.
REMEMBER
THIS
GENTLEMAN:
GOVERNOR
colony in North Carolina. residence for the governor
WILLIAM
He was supposed to and a meeting place for the
TRYON substitute for Governor council, the upper house of
Arthur Dobbs, who wanted to the colony's legislature.
make a trip back to England.
Long before "Tryon" was The Tryons, with their three- Tryon took great interest in
the name of a palace, it was year-old daughter, came to the people of North Carolina.
the name of a gentleman Brunswick, North Carolina, He visited the Moravian
who would one day leave in October 1764. Architect settlements in the western
his mark on North Carolina John Hawks also came with part of the colony. The
history. That man was Tryon. He would later Moravians recorded in their
William Tryon, governor of oversee the construction of community diary: "The
the North Carolina colony the palace at New Bern. (See morning was spent visiting in
from 1765 to 1771. related article on page 6.) the houses, the Governor and
Br. Loesch going into every
William Tryon was born room, kitchen and cellar, he
June 8, 1729, in Surrey, Tryon was ready to take over, inquiring about everything. . ..
England, which is southwest but Dobbs decided he wasn't In short one could see that he
of London. He joined the ready to travel yet! There was had received a very favorable
British army and became a not much for Tryon to do idea of our customs and
lieutenant in the First except to visit different areas methods." When a Tuscarora
Regiment of Foot Guards of the colony he would soon Indian leader visited him in
and later a lieutenant govern. Tryon was on one of Brunswick and became ill
colonel. In 1757, when he those journeys in March 1765 with the mumps, Tryon
was twenty-eight, Tryon when he found out that Dobbs arranged for the leader's care
married Margaret Wake. had died. Now Tryon would and wrote: "he dined twice at
Their daughter, also named have to take over as governor. my Table which was as often
Margaret, was born four as his Health would permit. I
years later. Many important things found him not only
happened in North Carolina Humanized, but really
over the next six years. In Civilized." (This comment
1765 and 1766 Tryon had to reveals Tryon's European
deal with the colonists' prejudices about Native
protests over the British tax Americans, as well as his
known as the Stamp Act, interest in the Tuscarora
until Parliament repealed the leader.)
tax. Tryon was involved in
setting a boundary line The one thing Tryon didn't
between British and Cherokee like about North Carolina was
Tryon wanted to serve his territory. He also picked New the climate. Like many
king and to advance himself Bern as the permanent capital Europeans, Tryon had trouble
in military rank. He decided of the colony of North adjusting to the climate and
to accept the post of Carolina and arranged for the suffered from fevers and other
lieutenant governor of the Palace to be built as a illnesses. He wrote: "These
are inconveniences I am told successful expedition (from the resentment they felt over
every newcomer must the British point of view!) high taxes and unjust officials.
experience in this Colony into Connecticut to raid To the people of New Bern, it
they term it a seasoning." American supplies. Tryon was a symbol of their town's
He added, jokingly, "Surely had to leave New York in importance as North
it has a little too much of the 1780 because he had severe Carolina's capital, even after
Kian [cayenne] Pepper in it." gout, a problem with the capital relocated and the
metabolism that causes pain Palace itself burned.
■ There was more than just
the climate to spice up
Governor Tryon's
administration. The
Why do we remember this gentleman
Regulators, a group of
more than many others?
settlers in western North
Carolina, had been angry for
some time over high taxes
and corrupt local officials
who took advantage of the in the joints of the arms and Who could forget the
settlers. They began to riot, legs. He returned to England gentleman who started all
breaking into courtrooms to and became a lieutenant that? t
interrupt court business and general, and finally colonel,
terrorizing the officials they of the Twenty-ninth
disliked. Tryon decided to Regiment of Foot, before his ANSWERS TO PUZZLES
call out the North Carolina death in London in 1788.
Page 17
militia (citizen army) to stop
the Regulators. Tryon and Tryon was one of many men
Across: 1. Eighty-six 4. Harpsichord
the militia defeated the who served the king as the
8. Then 9. Dressing 11. Son 13. Blair
Regulators at the Battle of governor of a royal colony 15. Fire 18. Neatness 19. Lady
Alamance on May 16, 1771. before the American
Revolution. Why do we Down: 1. Elwin 2. India
3. Fortifications 4. Her Excellency
Tryon was glad that he remember this gentleman
5. Roost 6. Organ
ended the Regulator crisis more than many others?
7. December 10. Not 14. More
when he did, because he had
16. Mind 17. Wake
been given a new post as the Governor Tryon served at a
governor of New York. He pivotal time in the North Page 20 Tea set, Candle, Quill Pen,
left North Carolina in July Carolina colony's history and Bed Curtains, Writing Desk, Sailing
Ship, Fireplace, Carriage
1771. Josiah Martin became built a building that
the next (and the last) royal symbolized much of that
Page 21 Writing Desk, Bed Curtains,
governor of North Carolina. history. The Palace was not
Carriage, Sailing Ship, Fireplace,
just a place for the governor Tea Set, Candle, Quill Pen
Tryon served as governor of to live. It was a symbol of the
New York from 1771 until power of the king, when the Page 26 Isaac Edwards
1780. During the American king still ruled North
Page 31 Santa Claus
Revolution, he commanded Carolina. For the Regulators
loyalist troops and led a the Palace was a symbol of
TRYON PALACE:
Fall Visit Tips: Since many social studies texts cover
THE YEAR-ROUND
colonial America in the first units, you can plan your visit
CLASSROOM to be either an introduction to or a culmination of your
colonial studies. And since weather can be variable, check
the New Bern-area forecasts a day ahead to let students
When is it a good time to bring know how to dress for the weather.
your class to Tryon Palace
Historic Sites & Gardens? With Christmas: The sights, sounds, and smells of Christmases
the number and variety of past make this an unforgettable time to visit our historic
programs here year-round, it's sites. During the Christmas tour, students can learn about
hard to find a time when the evolution of American Christmas customs as they visit
something interesting isn't going the first floors of the Palace, Kitchen, and three houses, as
on! December and April are two well as the Union army camp and the New Bern Academy.
of the most popular times to Christmas tour dates vary slightly each year; check with OLir
visit, but there can be special tour coordinator for information on the upcoming season.
advantages to touring during the
off-peak months as well. Let's Christmas Visit Tips: Because the Christmas tour season
take a season-by-season look at provides such a unique experience, it's an extremely
the activities in our living history popular time to visit. Be sure to plan your trip and make
classroom. reservations as far in advance as possible. When you call
our tour coordinator, have alternate dates or times in mind
September-October-November: If in case your first choice is already booked. Take advantage
you're looking for an in-depth of the background information on pages 27-31 of this issue
special program or just want your of Living History Classroom and in the special Christmas
class to experience eighteenth- Times flyer you'll receive on site, integrating your visit into
century life at a leisurely pace, a lesson on Christmas customs. On the day of your visit,
consider a fall field trip to Tryon we'll do our best to keep everyone from heading to the
Palace. From mid-September same building at the same time, but be prepared for some
through November, second- waiting time.
graders can find math and science
lessons in the gardens during the And if you miss out on the Christmas tour, don't despair!
Young Sprouts program, while Consider the advantages of a history-focused tour in one of
fourth- to sixth-graders can try the quieter seasons.
their hands at eighteenth-century
crafts in Colonial Skills. In January-February-March: Does your class have cabin fever?
addition to the basic guided tours A trip to Tryon Palace may be just what you need to beat the
of the historic sites, teachers can winter blues. Take a guided tour, or try the Who Was I?
also sign up their classes for the and Stepping into History programs. Colonial Skills is
Who Was I? information offered January through mid-March; Young Sprouts tours
scavenger hunt at the New Bern resume in their spring format in March and run through
Academy, or the Stepping into May.
History role-play program for
middle-schoolers. Winter Tour Tips: Dress for the weather, especially for the
outdoor programs (Young Sprouts and Colonial Skills). Use
the trip as a motivator for extra past speak for itself. Characters from the Tryon household
reading or an extra-credit project are portrayed at selected spots during the Palace tour, giving
if the class covered colonial a personal view of the past. You can also choose the Who
history earlier in the year. Was I? or Stepping into History options.
April-May: The spring is another Summer Tour Tips: Take it easy! Be sure to allow students
popular time for Palace visits, as a chance to cool off and drink plenty of water, especially
schools end the year on a note of while touring the gardens. Light, comfortable clothing is a
excitement. Choose from guided must, and it wouldn't hurt to bring rain gear in case of a
tours, or the special programs summer shower.
Young Sprouts, Who Was I ?,
and Stepping into History. If With all the programs that Tryon Palace Historic Sites &
spring fever is making it hard for Gardens can offer your students to make learning easy
your students to concentrate, one throughout the year, the only hard part is deciding when to
of these special programs can come! Whether we've tempted you to try a new season, or
help them regain their focus in whether you stick with your tried-and-true tour time, we
an enjoyable way. look forward to seeing you and giving you a historic
welcome. #
Spring Visit Tips: As during the
Christmas season, plan your trip
and make reservations as early as
The Living History Classroom is published
possible. Traditionally, the third twice a year by Tryon Palace Historic Sites
week in April is a peak time for <& Gardens.
school-group visits. If your school
Living History Classroom is available free
is planning a multi-day visit to
of charge to schools and educators.
coastal Carolina, you may want to
check the possibility of booking
For more information about Living History
your Palace visit before Classroom and our other educational
committing specific days to other programs, write:
sites. Encourage students to keep
Living History Classroom
a journal of multi-site trips so
Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens
they can remember all their
P.O. Box 1007
experiences. (See related article
New Bern, NC 28563
on page 12.)
call: [phone]
June-July-August: If your school or, 1-800-7674560.
is in session year-round,
remember that our living history Written by: Hilarie M. Hicks
Maria L. Muniz
classroom is too! Our living
history drama tours, offered
Original artwork by;
Memorial Weekend through
Michael Talton
mid-August (daily except
Monday) offer students an Design: Maria L. Muniz
exciting opportunity to hear the
the word "undertaker" for a completely different
profession; what is it?]
TRYON PALACE:
AN ARCHITECT'S The undertaker might draw a simple sketch showing the
shape and size of the foundation of the building. Or he
VIEW
might just tell the brickmasons, carpenters, and other
craftsmen what to build. There were no detailed blueprints
"This Palace is mine."
for these American workers!
If Governor Try on had proudly
made this statement, he would
have meant that the Palace was
his to live in while he served as
governor of the colony of North
Carolina. Governor Tryon was
not the only person who might
have called the Palace his own,
however.
There is someone else who could
have said "This Palace is mine,"
because the building was his own In England, however, there were professional architects
design. He too must have felt drawing detailed plans. One was a man named Stiff
proud of the beauty of the Leadbetter. Mr. Leadbetter and some other architects had
building. This man was the exciting new ideas for English homes in the 1750s. Instead
architect, John Hawks. of lining up rooms one behind the other, they designed
homes with rooms arranged in a loop around a grand
Professional architects play an staircase in the center of the building. Since there could be
important role in the no outside windows in the walls of an inside staircase. Stiff
construction industry today. Leadbetter and his fellow architects added a skylight to bring
Some architects such as Frank light in through the roof. They put rooms for the family's
Lloyd Wright or I. M. Pei become activities in the main house and rooms for the servant's
famous for the unique and work in small buildings called "offices" on each side of the
memorable buildings they design. main house.
Other architects, such as TV's
Mike Brady, develop more Why is British architect Stiff Leadbetter important to the
ordinary designs. Real-world Tryon Palace story? The man who would one day design
architects' blueprints are the the Palace got his start by working for Mr. Leadbetter! Some
beginning of almost every of the plans for Mr. Leadbetter's English homes seem to be
construction project in America in John Hawks's handwriting, so Mr. Hawks probably made
today. the final copies and perhaps even helped with the design.
Things were very different in John Hawks came to North Carolina in 1764 aboard the
colonial America. Most buildings same ship that brought Governor and Mrs. Tryon and their
were designed by the men who daughter Margaret to the colony. Governor Tryon called
built them. The builder was often Mr. Hawks "the Master Builder I took over with me from
called an "undertaker" because he England, and who is a very able Worthy man." Why did
would "undertake," or take on, Governor Tryon bring along an architect to North
building projects. [Today, we use Carolina? He must have been planning to build something
too important to entrust to any plans. Elevations, proportions, drawings, or directions." He
local "undertaker." selected building materials, hired craftsmen, and directed
their work and kept track of expenses. Skilled workmen
And it seems that he was. When were not easy to find. Mr. Hawks had to travel to
William Tryon became governor Philadelphia to find some of the workers he needed.
after Governor Dobbs's death, one Building a palace was no small job.
of his first projects was to make
New Bern the permanent capital But for John Hawks, it was certainly a job well done. When
of North Carolina. Under Governor Tryon spoke to the council and the assembly at
Governor Tryon's leadership the the opening of the Palace, he praised John Hawks highly. In
council and the assembly voted to Tryon's words, "The Integrity, Diligence, and Ability, of the
make New Bern the capital and Architect" had helped to make this building "a lasting
to use public tax money to build a Monument."
home for the governor.
The Palace lasted through the terms of Governor Tryon and
Now John Hawks could set to the last royal governor, Josiah Martin, as well as several
work. He drew several designs for early state governors. Travelers admired this monument,
the Palace, including a three-story and some had a chance to speak with the architect himself.
version. His final plan had some Mr. Hawks even gave one enthusiastic traveler, Francisco
interesting features. Instead of de Miranda, a written description of the Palace to take
lining up rooms one behind the home with him.
other, Mr. Hawks designed the
Palace with rooms arranged in a When John Hawks died in 1790, he may have thought that
loop around a grand staircase in his Palace would long outlive him. Changes were coming,
the center of the building. Since however. In 1794 Raleigh became the state capital. There
there could be no outside was no official use for the Palace any longer, but rooms
windows in the walls of an inside were rented out for schools, balls, and meetings of the
staircase, Mr. Hawks added a Masonic lodge, and hay was stored in the cellar. In 1798 a
skylight to bring in light through fire that began in the hay destroyed the building.
the roof. He put rooms for the
family's activities in the main But that was not the end of the Palace story. Through the
house and rooms for the years, the people of New Bern remembered the Palace and
servants' work in small buildings were proud that it had once graced their town. In the
called "offices" on each side of the twentieth century, many people wanted to see the Palace
main house. Stiff Leadbetter rebuilt.
would have been proud to see his
student following in the master's Just as John Hawks had played a key role in building the
footsteps! original Palace between 1767 and 1770, his architectural
drawings provided the key to building a reconstructed
Mr. Hawks not only designed the Palace from 1952 to 1959. In the 1990s, the museum staff at
Palace; he also oversaw its Tryon Palace is learning even more about the building by
construction. In the governor's studying the newly discovered description of the Palace that
words, Mr. Hawks was "to John Hawks wrote for Francisco de Miranda. And,
superintend this Work in All its following the example set by John Hawks, the staff
Branches." He had to "prepare, continues to provide all sorts of information about the
and deliver to the said several Palace to the interested travelers of our own century.
Managers, Undertakers, or
Workmen, in the different Considering all his contributions, perhaps it would be only
Branches, all necessary designs. fair to call this building "John Hawks's Palace"! ft
AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AT TRYON PALACE
HISTORIC SITES & GARDENS
Tom, Surry, John C. Stanly, Lydia, Sarah, Andrew, Ann Hazle-these are some of the
African Americans whose stories are part of the history of Tryon Palace Historic Sites &
Gardens. Like many slaves and free black people of their times, they are hard for people
of our times to get to know. They didn't record their own life stories, and very little was
recorded about them during their lifetimes. Piecing together the bits of evidence we do
have gives us some answers about their lives-and raises many more questions as well.
Tom and Surry are the names in the garret over the plantations.) Perhaps some of
of two of the slaves owned by kitchen and she ran up and Tom's work centered on the
Governor William Tryon pulled him out of bed." kitchen or kitchen garden.
during his years in North
Carolina. Were they working at What do those bits and pieces Surry, too, is a somewhat
Tryon Palace? No one knows tell us about Tom? Certainly mysterious figure. His name is
for certain, but it is quite not as much as we would like known to us only because he
possible. to know. From Murray's was advertised as a runaway
comment, it seems that Tryon slave in 1777. The North
In 1766, while living in was pleased with Tom's Carolina Gazette offered a
Brunswick Town before the service, although we don't three-dollar reward for Surry,
Palace was built, Tryon hired know what role he played in described as "about 5 Feet 6
(rented) and then purchased the household. Inches high, about 30 Years of
Tom from James Murray. Age, well made, is rather
Murray sent Tryon a bill of sale The fact that Mrs. Hatch put yellowish, and carried with
for Tom, "Who I rejoice to hear herself at risk to alert Tom of him many different Suits of
makes a good Servant to so the fire is also interesting. Mrs. Clothes. The said Fellow is a
good a Master." Hatch knew Tom by name and new Negro, tho' speaks pretty
seemed concerned about him good English." The phrase
There are no documents that as an individual. Was she "new Negro" was used to
say what Tom was doing from simply showing a describe someone born in
mid-1770 to July 1771, when humanitarian concern that all Africa, so Surry was one of the
Tryon lived at the Palace in her staff was safe, or was Tom a small number of slaves in
New Bern. There is one last special person in the North Carolina who had come
mention of Tom in 1773, when household? Or was she merely directly from Africa.
fire destroyed the Tryons' protecting Tom as the
home at Fort George, New governor's property? Why did Surry run away? The
York. advertisement gives us one
Notice that Tom slept in the clue: "He was formerly the
When housekeeper Patty Hatch garret, or attic, over the Fort Property of Governor Tryon,
gave her statement about George kitchen. Slaves on a and now belongs to the Estate
events the night of the fire, the town property often slept near of Isaac Edwards, deceased."
official record states that she their work locations. (Slave Isaac Edwards had been Tryon's
"asked where was the negro cabins or quarters were more secretary in North Carolina and
Tom, and she was told he was common on farms or probably acquired Surry when
8
Tryon left for New York in were her or his days like in appearance as bright mulattoes.
1771. Six years had passed; now the Palace's kitchen? Un- No citizen of New Bern would
Edwards was dead and Surry's fortunately, the historical hesitate to walk the streets with
future was uncertain. Perhaps record is silent. him. He was uniformly
Surry had heard what would courteous and unobtrusive."
happen to him and didn't like History has more to say about
it. Or perhaps Surry simply New Bernian John Carruthers John C. Stanly's family
realized that with his owner Stanly, barber and plantation certainly valued education. His
dead, there was never going to owner. His mother was an son, John Stewart Stanly, ran a
be an easier time to pack up African-born slave, and his respected school for free black
and leave. The fact that Surry father seems to have been children. Among the students
"carried with him many merchant John Wright Stanly, were John Stewart's daughter,
different Suits of Clothes" original owner of the John Sara Stanly, and Ann Hazle,
might mean that he was a Wright Stanly House. John C. daughter of a free New Bern
house servant and was better Stanly was born a slave, since blacksmith. In the 1850s, both
dressed than the average field his mother was a slave, but Sara and Ann attended Oberlin
hand, or that he had helped became free in 1795 when his College in Ohio and because of
himself to some of Edwards' owners petitioned the Craven their excellent early education
clothes. County court for his freedom. were able to skip the
He was then twenty-one years preparatory classes. Oberlin was
Runaway slave advertisements old. a unique educational setting in
are a vivid reminder that its time, since classes, dining
slaves were considered to be John C. Stanly ran a profitable halls, and student residences
property with a monetary barbershop and even secured a were all integrated. The group
value. There are also other loan for his half brother, John photograph of the Oberlin class
reminders. The only reason Stanly Jr. "Barber Jack," as he of 1855 shows Ann Hazle in the
that we know that Lydia, Sarah, was called, was eventually able midst of her white classmates.
and Andrew were the names of to purchase his wife, children, How did she compare the
slaves in George W. Dixon's and brother-in-law out of college atmosphere to the
household (our Dixon- slavery. Yet, he also bought increasing restrictions on free
Stevenson House) is that those slaves to work in his black people in her home state?
slaves were listed in Dixon's barbershop, in his house, and Did Ann and Sara feel isolated
mortgage of his property along on his plantation. Did he, like or accepted?
with his house and furniture. others of his time, view people
This idea of people as property as property? Without knowing Reviewing the history of these
is illustrated again by a letter more about his thoughts, we black New Bernians is both
from Colonel Samuel Martin can only acknowledge the fascinating and frustrating;
of Antigua, the father of apparent contradictions in fascinating for glimpses of the
Governor Josiah Martin. Stanly's life. diversity of African American
life in New Bern, and
When Martin succeeded Tryon One New Bernian's frustrating because of the
as governor of the North recollection of John C. Stanly questions still left unanswered.
Carolina colony, his father reveals the town's good Even if the stories of Surry,
wrote that "knowing well the opinion of "Barber Jack," as Barber Jack, and Lydia are
expences [Josiah] must incur" well as the prejudices of the incomplete, the history of
in the move to New Bern, he 1820s: "J. C. Stanly was a man of Tryon Palace and our other
would send his son some dignified presence, and lived in museum buildings would be
money, a carriage, some sets of fashionable style, his sons and incomplete without them, ft
china, and "a Negro Cook." daughters being well educated,
Who was she, or he? What and always making a good
THE SECRET Misselthwaite's secret garden and the gardens of Tryon Palace
reflect somewhat different influences in landscape design,
GARDEN AND
there is much for students to learn by comparison and
THE NOT-SO- contrast.
SECRET GARDENS
Misselthwaite Manor itself is fictional, but Frances Hodgson
OF TRYON PALACE
Burnett patterned it after an actual English estate where she
had lived for some time. Great Maytham Hall in Rolvenden,
Kent. Great Maytham Hall was an old house that Sir Edwin
"It was the sweetest, most
Lutyens renovated and rebuilt in
mysterious-looking place any
1909-1910; the gardens were older
one could imagine," wrote
than the house itself.
Frances Hodgson Burnett in her
1911 classic of children's
Owners of English estates in the
literature. Although we might
early 1900s (the time during which
like to think she was describing
the story takes place) were
one of our favorite nooks in the
beginning to develop their gardens
Tryon Palace gardens, she was of
as a series of rooms, with each
course describing The Secret
garden offering a different experience of nature. It may be
Garden, a long-abandoned
surprising to realize that the Tryon Palace gardens are
walled garden at the fictional
arranged in a similar manner. The gardens as we see them
English estate Misselthwaite
today were actually planned in the 1950s, using the series-of-
Manor. By bringing that garden
rooms approach as a way to showcase several different garden
back to life (with the help of a
styles of the 1700s.
nature-loving Yorkshire boy
named Dickon), the spoiled
What do the grounds of Misselthwaite Manor look like in
orphan Mary, her self-absorbed
The Secret Garden? Have your class pay special attention to
cousin Colin, and even the gruff
chapter 4, in which Mary takes her first walk through the
gardener Ben Weatherstaff are
grounds of Misselthwaite:
themselves transformed.
"Mary turned down the walk which led to the door in the
Ms. Beechye Morris of West
shrubbery. . . . When she had passed through the shrubbery
Greene Elementary School,
gate she found herself in great gardens, with wide lawns and
Snow Hill, North Carolina,
winding walks with clipped borders. There were trees, and
mentioned that her fifth-grade
flower-beds, and evergreens clipped into strange shapes, and a
class enjoyed making
large pool with an old gray fountain in its midst."
comparisons with the Tryon
Palace gardens after reading The
Students might compare this description with certain
Secret Garden. Ms. Morris
elements in the Tryon Palace gardens, such as the winding
explained: "I wanted my
paths of the Wilderness Garden surrounding the South
students to see a formal garden.
Lawn, or the fountains in the Latham and Kellenberger
I grew up in eastern North
Gardens. Misselthwaite's "evergreens clipped into strange
Carolina, and a garden was
shapes" are probably cones, spirals, or other geometric
where you grew vegetables!"
designs; Tryon Palace's only clipped evergreens are
Always eager to adapt a good
rectangular edgings surrounding flower beds.
idea, the writing staff of Living
History Classroom reread this
Mary next passes through a doorway in an ivy-covered wall
childhood favorite with the
into a series of walled kitchen gardens. Although more
Palace gardens in mind. While
extensive, these seem similar to the Tryon Palace kitchen
10