Winston-Salem, N.C. -

The Conference on Restoring Southern Gardens and Landscapes at Old Salem Museums & Gardens is celebrating its 30th anniversary by returning to its roots and providing practical information on historic gardens and landscape restoration.  

The conference, which requires pre-registration and is open to the public, will be held Thursday, Sept. 24 through Saturday, Sept. 26. Heirloom and historic seeds, flowers, bulbs, trees, vegetables and native plants will be available for sale at T. Bagge Merchant throughout the conference, with an expanded selection this year to honor the anniversary.  

The conference will begin on Thursday with a guided tour of Old Salem's gardens followed by an opening reception and keynote address by Peter Hatch, director of Gardens and Grounds at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. Friday's speakers will discuss heirloom vegetables, bulbs, roses, native plants, and fruit trees. Saturday's topics include case studies of public and private garden restorations in Virginia and Georgia. The conference Resource Center and Book Store will offer valuable resource information on heirloom plants and historic landscape practices. Two special photographic exhibitions will be on view during the conference. "A Picture is Worth a Thousand...," displayed in the conference auditorium, will showcase historic landscape photographs of the Salem area; "Heroes of Horticulture," at Reynolda House Museum of American Art, will display culturally significant landscapes at risk. Friday's itinerary also includes a tour of Reynolda Gardens of Wake Forest University and dinner on the grounds at the Reynolda House Museum of American Art.  

"Since the conference first convened here in 1979, we've hosted a large variety of leading experts and scholars," said Lee French, Old Salem's President and CEO. "That longevity shows how successful Old Salem has been in establishing itself as a respected resource for scholars and anyone interested in the historic South."  

Conference fees are $320 for general registration, $100 for students or for a single session; and $50 for Thursday's keynote lecture and buffet reception. Special member discounts are also available. A full program and downloadable registration form for the conference can be found at www.oldsalem.org/landscapeconference , or by calling 336-758-5900.  

About Old Salem

Old Salem Museums & Gardens is one of America's most comprehensive history attractions. Its three museums - the Historic Town of Salem, the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA) and The Toy Museum at Old Salem - engage visitors in an educational and memorable historical experience about those who lived and worked in the early South. The Web site address is www.oldsalem.org.