Kimberly J. Hampton Steward Memorial Garden

Kim Steward came to Appalachian State University from Wisconsin to receive an M.A. in public history. She was very interested in the museum field and she and her husband, Rick, helped us with numerous tours, programs, and events. They quickly became close friends with the Museum staff, volunteers, and presenters.

Unfortunately, in July 1996 a tragic car accident took Kim's and her step-mother's lives in Michigan. Since the accident, the Museum has established the Kimberly J. Hampton Steward Memorial Fund. Money collected in the fund goes to the growth and maintenance of a picnic area and flower garden on the south side of the museum, in honor of Kim. It was formally dedicated on Saturday, August 21, 1999.

2002 marks our third year of tracking the development of the 40+ plants in the garden. Every week or two, weather permitting, we take digital pictures of all of the plants in the garden and add them to the site so that you can share our pleasure watching the ever-changing cycle of plant comings and goings. You can view the plants chronologically if you wish. Or, if you choose, there is also a pictorial index of the blooms.

In addition to the wildflower garden, in front of the Cultural Museum we have a butterfly garden that brings everyone much pleasure as it blossoms every summer and brings us some wonderful winged visitors. Click here to see a mini-gallery of pictures taken in the garden this summer.

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