This year, as The Azalea Festival becomes NATO fest, we thought we’d take a moment to reach into our archives and have a look back at the tradition of crowning Queen Azalea in Norfolk. The crowing of Queen Azalea was retired in 2009 and replaced with the new tradition of naming a Festival Ambassador, an honored armed forces service member - male or female – to represent their country to NATO and to the world. Representatives from member nations, the armed forces and the Hampton Roads community participated in the Annual Parade of Nations last week, at which the chosen Ambassador, French Air Force Captain Geraldine Ribereau was honored. Past Queens from the United States include Hollywood Actress Patricia Anne Priest (1954) – the first Queen, Lynda Bird Johnson (1961) and Luci Baines Johnson (1965), Tricia Nixon (1969), Jennie Elizabeth Eisenhower (1997), Jennifer Robb (2003) and many more. Please enjoy these photos of Queens past and some of the ladies of their courts. Want more? Stop by the Jean Outland Chrysler Library and have a look at several full-color brochures from the 1950s and 60s celebrating The International Azalea Festival and The Azalea Court as well as military life and tourism in Norfolk.

Azalea Festival

Women at the Chrysler: The Galleries in Bloom

During the exhibition Women of the Chrysler: A 400-Year Celebration of the Arts, we’re celebrating the contributions of women to the history of the Chrysler Museum. Women from all backgrounds have played an integral role in the creation, development, and operation of the Museum from its very beginning. Each week during the exhibition, we’re a story about a woman or group of women accompanied by an online album of images from the Library's collections. We also invite you to join us in the Library to learn more about these dedicated women.
Outside the temperatures are rising and the spring flowers are in full bloom. It's the perfect time to enjoy a lovely walk outside in one of the Museum's two gardens. The beautiful blooms also reminded us of one wonderful feature of the Chrysler. Every week and at every event we enjoy beautiful flowers, artfully arranged in the galleries.  This week's album features the dedicated ladies (and gentlemen) who have worked throughout the years to keep the gardens and galleries of the Museum beautiful with blooms.

Women At the Chrysler -All A Bloom

Take a Peep at what's going on at the Chrysler Museum of Art!

The Peeps Present 10 Fun Things to Do at The Chrysler This Spring:
1. Take one last look at the Eliot Porter exhibition.
2. Enjoy a children's book.
3. Participate in Yoga for Art Lovers.
4. Try your hand at drawing in the galleries.
5. Visit the shop.
6. Talk to a helpful gallery host.
7. Take time to enjoy the tulips.
8. Check out the Boncori restoration.
9. See what's new in the Jean Outland Chrysler Library.
10. Visit the "Women of the Chrysler" website at http://www.womenofthechrysler.org/ and post to the blog http://www.womenofthechrysler.org/guestblog/

Happy Spring!

Norfolk’s Love of Flowers

Though primarily known for the art reference collection, the Jean Outland Museum Library is a wonderful source for local Norfolk history. The archives contain city information from various agencies, including the city council, chamber of commerce and merchants association. The combination of these agencies exhibits a comprehensive view of Norfolk from the late nineteenth century until today. One common theme that emerges from the Chrysler archives is Norfolk’s residents’ preoccupation with gardening. Azaleas and camellias have been the historical favorites of green-thumbs all over the Tidewater region; the Norfolk Botanical Garden was once called “Azalea Gardens.” The American Camellia Society held its national meeting in Norfolk in 1952, and the two-day event culminated with the Norfolk Camellia Show. A coup for both Norfolk and Virginia Beach (the Cavalier Hotel was official convention lodgings); this three thousand-member society brought tourism revenue into Tidewater and raised the profile of Norfolk as a horticulturists’ dream. The event’s program attempted to dispel any reservations attendees would have about celebrating these delicate flowers in Virginia’s harsh conditions, stating “An analysis of our climate and soil reveals, however, not only is it adequate to the growth of camellias, but nears the ideal for their development.” Norfolk was thereby thought of as a gardening paradise, and continued to host various horticultural events. Historic Garden Week in Virginia, a celebration of Tidewater’s most notable gardens is now in its seventy-six year, and will be held from April 18-25, 2009.

- Meagan Jones, Library Intern