Club History

published in the Camellia Journal, November 1999

HISTORY OF THE PENSACOLA CAMELLIA CLUB

On the evening of November 23, 1937, a group of men interested in camellias, met at the home of John Sherrill in Pensacola, Florida. The product of that meeting was the organization of an all male camellia club, The Pensacola Men's Camellia Club. Roland E. Lee was elected President; C.H. Turner, Vice President; and F.W. Sherrill, Secretary-Treasurer. Membership dues were set at $3.00 per year. "The objects of the Club were to encourage growing of camellias and to spread information regarding their culture." We are, as far as we know, the oldest such club in America.

The two men who joined the Club in December of 1937 are still active members. They are John K. Edwards and Charles W. Merritt, Jr.

The first show staged by the newly formed club was held in January 1938.

The American Camellia Society was organized in 1945.

In February 1949, Club member, G.H. Wilkinson, received the first American Camellia Society Ilges Seedling Japonica Award and the Award of Merit for his seedling Beau Harp.

The Pensacola Men's Camellia Club was incorporated as a Florida not-for-profit organization in July 1950 by the Circuit Court of Escambia County.

The admission fee established for the Club's show, started in 1950, was eliminated in 1956.

At the 1964 show, the Club, for the first time, recognized a Person of the Year. The award was a beautiful silver bowl inscribed with the winner's name and the year of the award.

In 1965, the Club's dues were raised to $5.00.

In May 1966, William F. Bray, a club member, won the National Sewell Mutant Award, given by the American Camellia Society for his camellia Elegans Supreme.

Calluset, a product to start and aid growth of the callus on exposed cambrium in grafting was developed in January 1972 by Club member, Dr. Reid Leonard.

In January 1975, the Club hosted an International Convocation in conjunction with the National ACS Convention. George Anderson served as Chairman. A.C. Thomas was the local show chairman and Jessie Barfield was President of the local Club. This international meeting and show attracted participants from coast to coast. Forty-four attendees came from Australia and New Zealand. The official show report shows that a total of 250 growers exhibited 4.000 blooms with 10,000 visitors viewing the exhibits.

Membership dues were raised to $7.00 in 1982.

A Trust Fund and Auditing Committee was established in November of 1986, with George Anderson as Chairman. John Edwards and Gordon Wesley were named as members of this committee.

Articles of Re-incorporation of the Club were signed on January 4, 1989, by Robert Bothfeld, President and John H. O'Donnell, Secretary. the name of the Club was changed to the Pensacola Camellia Club. The Articles of Re-incorporation were filed in the Florida Department of State on January 9, 1989. With re-incorporation, women were admitted into membership and dues were lowered to $5.00 a year. Current by-laws were adopted by the Club at a regular meeting. They were signed by Don Applegate, President, John H. O'Donnell, Treasurer, and Sheffield Woods, Secretary.

At the December 1989 show, floral designs showcased the camellia and bonsai exhibits were displayed.

In 1992, member W.M. Harrison's Little Babe received the Kathern and Les Marbury Award.

In 1993, Club members were again national award recipients. Dr. T.E. Lundy was the winner of the Ilges Seedling Japonica Award for Lady Laura. He became Pensacola's second Ilges award winner. Mrs. A.E. Wilson also received the Sewell Mutant Award for the camellia C.M. Wilson.

In December of 1993, the Club gave a Special Recognition Award to Jean Comber, for her many contributions to the camellia world. She has served as Secretary for the American Camellia Society for many years. She has served as Secretary and Publications Chairman for the Gulf Coast Camellia Society. She has also served as editor of the International Camellia Society Journal. Mrs. Comber and her deceased husband, John, worked for many years to foster contacts with camellia lovers in China, thereby enhancing the exchanges of information between growers in China and the United States.

Daniel Lee Gordon joined the Club in January 1994 as the youngest member. He was 10-years-old. At the Club's show in December 1994, Daniel entered and went to the head table with Man Size, from a plant given to him at the March club meeting.

In 1996, T.E. Lundy was awarded the Margerete Hertrich Award by the California Camellia Society for his Lady Laura bloom.

1998 brought an increase in the Club dues to $10.00 per year.

The Pensacola Camellia Club Foundation, Inc. was formed and Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Florida Secretary of the State on January 17, 2002. Gordon Eade signed as incorporator and the initial trustees were: Roger Vinson, Robert Bothfeld, and Martin Harwood.

The purpose of the Foundation is to support the Pensacola Camellia Club's scientific, educational, and charitable efforts, and to support the Club's annual Camellia Show.

In 2003, the Club joined the Pensacola Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. as an Associate member.

Club member, Jean Comber, was honored by the American Camellia Society with the ACS Bronze Plaque in 2003. The Bronze Plaque is awarded to individuals who have furthered the aims of the American Camellia Society. The special award may only be given twice during any 5-year period.