Vicksburg is losing a resource that will be difficult to replace. Virginia DuBowy has announced that she and her husband Paul are moving west so she can assume a new position as Chief of Resources , natural and cultural, at Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area along the Montana- Wyoming border. She will be missed but her accomplishments will not be forgotten.
Only a lucky few have the opportunity to intertwine their profession with a lifetime hobby. DuBowy is one of these fortunate people. Since 2007 she has held the position of Natural Resource Program Manager with the Vicksburg National Military Park (VNMP). The responsibility to preserve and protect the natural resources of the park was particularly attractive to DuBowy, a Civil War buff since grade school. Then in 2009 she took the Master Gardener Course, a pursuit which became the key to one of her major achievements in our community.
The Master Gardeners wanted to construct a demonstration garden. They looked at locations in other counties where demonstration gardens were in operation for over two years according to Judy Pennington, MG President in 2010. About the same time, Park officials expressed interest in developing a historically authentic garden to enhance the park’s role in education. In early 2011, DuBowy presented the Master Gardeners an opportunity to become a partner with the National Park Service in creating a heritage demonstration garden.
DuBowy coordinated the planning committee consisting of Melissa Perez, VNMP Educational Specialist and Master Gardeners Sonny Hale, Barbara Hill, Dana Klimas and Judy Pennington. Perez sought out a grant from the National Park Service “Parks as Classrooms” program to help fund the initial construction costs of clearing, tilling and fencing off the 30-by-100-foot area. Master Gardeners Hale, Klimas, Anita Schilling and Linda Baudo led the development of the vegetable and grain section of the garden, Pennington and her husband Jim, Hill, Sandy Lewis and Lorraine Kent worked with the herb area and Kathy Castellane and Sandra Harrelson coordinated the ornamental planting section. Fifteen other Master Gardeners were involved in tilling the soil, planting, maintaining and harvesting the garden as well as participating in educational programs featuring it.

It has been a wonderful outdoor classroom where visitors can see heirloom vegetables, medicinal and flavoring herbs and ornamental plants and planting techniques of the 19th century such as planting corn, squash and beans together, a procedure known as the three sisters, a Native American tradition. Modern planting techniques such as lasagna gardening are also on display. Not all plants are heirloom and all are labeled. Kitchen gardens similar to this demonstration garden meant survival to many Vicksburg residents during the Civil War. The garden gives tourists, students from various groups such as the Junior Ranger Summer Camp and local residents, who like to jog and walk through the park, a first- hand glimpse reminiscent of those gardens tended by Vicksburg residents during that era.
“Hardly a day goes by when we are working in the garden that some group doesn’t stop by to view and talk about the garden” commented Master Gardener Anita Schilling who has worked alongside Dana Klimas to direct the work in the vegetables portion of the garden this year. Groups visiting may take home ripe vegetables out of the garden and surpluses are often shared with River City Rescue Mission, a local homeless shelter for men.
Another goal of the garden has been to stimulate an interest in home gardening and to let visitors see just what can be grown in our area year-round in a limited amount of space. Many of the herbs and ornamentals are pass-along plants from the 19th century and were shared by local Master Gardeners. Additionally, as part of the Let’s Move Outside initiative, the garden encourages visitors to be active through gardening activities and to promote eating healthy produce grown in home gardens.
“She blended the mission of being a Master Gardener with the historical significance of the VNMP and the synergy of the two was a true success. A unique idea and a significant number of people have been exposed to a heritage garden. A huge contribution to our community and it might not have been possible without Virginia. Quite an accomplishment during her five years as a Master Gardener” commented John Coccaro, Retired Warren County Extension Agent.
The Heritage Demonstration Garden may be DuBowy’s major accomplishment but she has others as well. After the VNMP acquired Pemberton Headquarters, she worked with the 2011 Master Gardener class to recreate landscaping with permanent plantings around the building. Historically the house boasted beautiful gardens according to local historian Gordon Cotton. His book based on the letters of Emma Balfour includes an entire chapter dedicated to her interest and love of gardening.
Another special project she oversaw was landscaping the front walkway of the Shirley House . “According to Alice Shirley Eaton’s writings, we know what grew along the front walk” DuBowy relates in her presentation titled Wildflowers in the Trenches. “There were pink Crepemyrtle, Rose of Sharon, red Quince, white Lilacs, Roses, Violets, Daffodils and Hyacinths.” Due to an abundance of deer in the area, DuBowy chose to use Knockout roses rather than old roses for the planting. They have received some limited deer damage but seem to be working well.
DuBowy has researched and presented numerous programs related to the park. Area garden clubs, the 2012 State Garden Club Convention, civic groups , students and Master Gardener March Monday attendees are some of the groups that have enjoyed her presentations. According to DuBowy, they have provided her with the opportunity to talk about the interrelationships between the cultural, historical and natural resources of the Vicksburg National Military Park.
“The best thing; however, has been the fantastic partnership developed between the Warren County Master Gardeners and the VNMP, and it has become a prime example throughout the National Park Service on how to maintain a successful cooperative endeavor.” DuBowy wrote to the Master Gardeners when announcing her move.
Our community has benefitted from knowing DuBowy and those folks at Bighorn Canyon Recreational Area will soon learn just how lucky they are to have her at their facility.
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Miriam Jabour, a Master Gardener and Master Flower Show judge, has been active in the Openwood Plantation Garden Club for over 35 years. Write to her at 1114 Windy Lake Drive, Vicksburg MS 39183.