Andre Michaux: A Life Well Lived
1746 - 1802
Andre Michaux was the Royal Botanist of France in North America who established a botanical garden and plant nursery near Charleston in 1786. Michaux's garden is now adjacent to the modern Charleston International Airport. From this garden, Michaux exported thousands of American trees, shrubs, and other plants to France and imported a number of old world species including crape myrtles and camellias into the United States.He is best remembered today for introducing these favorites into American gardens and for his work discovering and describing many new American species for science. Michaux's Flora boreali-americana was the first flora of North America. More information is available at www.michaux.org
On Saturday, March 8, 2008, nearly 100 community members and special guests celebrated the Dedication of the Andre Michaux State of South Carolina Historical Marker at the Michaux Garden site (located adjacent to 2390 West Aviation Avenue) in North Charleston, SC. Dr. George W. Williams, Chairman of the Michaux Garden Committee presided over the program and was joined by The Honorable R. Keith Summey, Mayor, City of North Charleston, Mme. Marie Arnaud, President of the Alliance Francaise Charleston on behalf of M. Philippe Arnaud, Consul of the French Republic, Dr. J. Tracy Power, Coordinator, SC Historical Marker Program of the SC State Historic Preservation Office, Mr. Charlie Williams, President, Andre Michaux International Society. A reception followed at the North Charleston Visitor's Center Fire Museum and Educational Center.
The Michaux Garden Committee is a group of dedicated people interested in securing recognition for the Garden established by Andre Michaux in 1786 ten miles north of Charleston for the purpose of sending to France native American plants and trees to replenish the stocks and introduce new flora to support the economy in that country. For more information, please contact Committee Chairman, Dr. George Williams at hpgw@mymailstation.com
