Membership Benefits
Membership in the Southern Garden History Society is open to individuals, families, historic sites, public gardens, or organizations interested in southern gardens and landscapes.
Membership entitles you to receive our information-filled periodical, Magnolia. Being a member also allows you to register for an annual meeting packed with educational programming, garden visits, and opportunities to meet fellow garden history enthusiasts. Our annual meeting accepts approximately 175 registrations. Sustainer, Patron, and Benefactor membership levels are eligible for early registration.
Your annual dues allow us to produce Magnolia, provide scholarships to our Annual Meeting, maintain our website, support conferences, present annual awards, and pursue other preservation initiatives.
Note: Memberships are for the Southern Garden History Society fiscal year, which begins August 1st and expires July 31st annually. The Southern Garden History Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your dues are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Letter From Board President
Dear Members,
As I step into the role of President, I do so with deep gratitude for the strong and steady leadership of Derek Wade, Perry Mathews, and the late Randy Harelson. Because of their guidance—and the dedication of an engaged and accomplished board representing a wide range of professional experience—the Society is well-positioned for the future.
As another membership year begins, I invite you to renew your membership and continue this important work with us. Your support makes everything we do possible—from preserving the legacy of historic gardens, supporting research, and educating future professionals, to connecting those who share a passion.
Our spring membership survey confirmed that our mission is as relevant today as ever. Thank you to everyone who participated. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read the full survey results in the next issue of Magnolia.
One of the clearest messages from the survey was the desire for more opportunities to connect throughout the year. In response, this year, as you renew, you will have the option of opting in to a members-only online directory. Participation will be entirely voluntary, allowing members to choose what information they wish to share. Whether you’re traveling, researching a historic garden, seeking recommendations, or simply connecting with fellow members, we hope this becomes another valuable benefit of SGHS membership. Please see our administrator’s notes below for more information about the membership directory.
This September the board will gather to explore new initiatives that expand member engagement and accessibility, including virtual attendance options for annual meetings, a refreshed vision for Magnolia, and more ways to connect across the South.
Looking ahead to 2027, the SGHS is pleased to invite you to join us for our 43rd Annual Meeting, held April 16–18, 2027, in the heart of Brenham, Texas. We will gather to celebrate the unique horticultural legacy of the Lone Star State, where historical preservation meets Texas gardening, set against the backdrop of our iconic bluebonnets and native wildflower season.
The SGHS has always been a volunteer-driven organization. Your participation strengthens not only the Society, but the broader effort to preserve and celebrate the gardens, landscapes and people that define the South’s rich horticultural heritage. Together, we will ensure that the Southern Garden History Society remains a vibrant and enduring voice for generations to come. To paraphrase Jessica Russell’s Book Review of Southern Women, Southern Landscapes: Cultural Reflections on the Garden published in the Spring 2026 Magnolia, Volume XXXVII, No. 4, “Landscapes simply do not surround us, they ground us.”
Thank you for your continued support. I hope you will renew your membership today and I look forward to all we will accomplish together.
Sincerely,
Susan McLeod Epstein
President
PS: For questions, ideas, or to continue the conversation, contact me at 843-224-6784 or susanmcleodepstein@gmail.com.
Join Online or via U.S. Mail
NEW!! Managing Your Online Directory Privacy Settings
To manage your privacy settings for the new online member directory:
- Log in to your member profile during the renewal process.
- Locate the tabs on your profile page (including “About,” “Additional,” “History,” and “Privacy”).
- Click on the Privacy tab.
- Select your preferred visibility options:
- Do not list in directory: Opt out of the directory entirely.
- Do not show street address: Hide your address while remaining listed.
- Do not show phone number: Hide your phone number while remaining listed.
Please note that your email address is hidden by default. Members can still connect via email through the platform’s secure messaging app, which protects your privacy by keeping your email address private until you choose to reply directly. Please note that this step may be completed before or after your membership renewal, or can be managed at anytime during the year.
If you need any assistance or have any questions, reach out by emailing membership@southerngardenhistory.org.
Click here for a downloadable membership application. You can send this along with your membership dues to:
Southern Garden History Society
PO Box 631
New Roads, LA 70760
