Cultivating Knowledge: A Lecture Series, Early History of Kalmia Gardens
Join Dr. George Sawyer, Director Emeritus of Kalmia Gardens, for his presentation in Kalmia Gardens’ adult education series, Cultivating Knowledge: A Lecture Series, at the Joslin Education Center. Pre-registration and $5 tickets are required and can be purchased HERE.
Dr. Sawyer will be presenting his lecture Early History of Kalmia Gardens. He will be discussing the early history of the development of Kalmia Gardens by May Roper Coker and her gift to Coker College. This will be followed by Dr. Sawyer’s personal involvement with transitioning the garden from a private estate garden to a public garden and its role in the tourism industry in Hartsville, S.C., while maintaining its role as an outdoor classroom/laboratory of the college.
Dr. George Sawyer’s educational history is rich, having attended Beloit College, earning a BA in Biology, then attending UNC-Chapel Hill, earning an MA in Botany, and finally attending Clemson University where he earned his PhD in Forest Pathology. Dr. Sawyer came to Coker College in 1965 and retired in 2006. While at Coker, he was a teacher in the Biology Department, Director of Physical Plant, and Director of Kalmia Gardens. Throughout his tenure at Coker he worked at the garden as time permitted.
Please note: This event is held at the Joslin Education Center at:
1520 W. Carolina Avenue
Hartsville, S.C. 29550
April 15, 2026
12 p.m. – 1 p.m.