Construction on Pavilion at the Horticulture Garden Begins
Architectural drawing of the Peggy Lee Hahn Pavilion, under constructon at the Hahn Horticulture Garden.
The master plan for the Hahn Horticulture Garden is taking shape. The groundbreaking in August marked the beginning of construction on the Peggy Lee Hahn Pavilion. When the multi-purpose, 2,500-square-foot facility is complete early next year, the college and the Department of Horticulture will have an educational center and a facility for special events on the Virginia Tech campus and located in the middle of a wonderful garden.
Peggy Lee Hahn, after whom the garden and pavilion are named, and her husband T. Marshall Hahn, president emeritus of Virginia Tech, as well as others involved with the project, were on hand to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony.
During her opening remarks, Sharron Quisenberry, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, noted, "The expansion of the existing garden to seven acres will enhance the interaction of students and other visitors with the garden and will enable the college to expand its educational programs in horticulture, environmental sciences, and in other areas."
The master plan for the garden also includes a meadow garden, terrace garden, and land for home horticulture demonstrations. These projects will require additional funding to bring them to fruition.
When complete, the garden will be used for research in several areas, including landscape design, and teaching. The space will provide additional opportunities to offer expanded educational programming and a quality experience for those attending events at the garden.
Holly Scoggins, associate professor of horticulture and garden director, said, "The pavilion and the additional expansion plans could not have been possible without the generous support of the Hahns. We are also grateful for many other individuals who are helping move this project toward completion. Bill Elvey, vice president for Facilities, has generously taken on some of the site work associated with the project and, along with his Assistant Director Lynn Eichhorn, has made the project a priority in terms of staff and resources, for which we are most appreciative," said Scoggins.
The garden is named in honor of Peggy Lee Hahn, an enthusiastic gardener, to recognize her outstanding service as Virginia Tech's first lady from 1962 to 1974. The Hahns pledged a $1 million estate gift and $475,000 in start-up funds for the expansion of the garden.
"Peggy's passions are Virginia Tech and flowers, and my passion is Peggy," T. Marshall Hahn remarked at the groundbreaking ceremony.