The Club meeting on January 14, 2021

Bartram Garden Club Remember America’s ‘first great naturalist’

Before Lewis and Clark, there was William Bartram. In March 1774, Bartram began his much-anticipated trip to Florida and the St. Johns River, first setting foot on Amelia Island. He traveled through Old Fernandina to Lord Egmont’s plantation and then continued to the St. Johns River documenting the region’s flora and fauna. Bartram introduced the world to more than 250 plants.

In order to perpetuate the legacy of William Bartram, The Bartram Garden Club hosted Sam Carr and Mike Adams of the Bartram Trail Conference at its general meeting in January. In an entertaining presentation, Mike Adams brought Billy Bartram to life by a reenactment of his travels through the Amelia Island area. Adams used Bartram’s own words and slides of his original drawings of wildlife in the area. Sam Carr discussed the establishment of The Bartram Trail National Heritage Corridor, which memorializes Bartram’s explorations. His presentation focused on the trails in Florida, especially in our area.

If you would like to learn more about the William Bartram Trail Conference and the William Bartram Trail Society of Florida, follow the links below.

http://www.bartramtrail.org/

https://bartramtrailsociety.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Bartramtrailsociety

https://www.facebook.com/Bartram-Trail-Conference-210221816318