Anne Spencer and Her Inspiring Garden

By Lisa Nunamaker, Paper Garden Workshop

GARDENS ARE MEANINGFUL

Something you may not know about me is my infatuation with gardens created by their owners (rather than an outside trained landscape designer). My master's thesis focused on farm women's gardens and today I jump at the opportunity to walk through a private garden lovingly developed over many years by its owner.

These gardens have a level of meaning that we can never fully understand, but I always enjoy the challenge of trying. One of these special gardens was created by Anne Spencer between 1903-1975 in Lynchburg, Virginia. Most known as a poet and civil rights activist, Spencer was also a gardener...a role she held in high esteem as it directly complimented all of her important talents and contributions.

Spencer's garden served as her studio, inspirational resource, and place of refuge...while also describing it as, “half her world.” The overall design was a team effort with her husband, Edward Spencer. He crafted the structural elements, such as the arbor and pergola (from artifacts found on his US Postal Service route), while Anne developed the overflowing, colorful plantings.

*The illustration above was inspired by Anne Spencer's garden.*

SPENCER GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS

Spencer's garden is the only known restored garden of an African American in the US.
This garden served as an oasis of inspiration for Spencer's writings and poetry.
The Spencer garden included a writing studio and retreat named, Edankraal. This name was created from the letters in Edward, Anne and kraal (the Afrikaan word for enclosure).
The garden was also a place for social gatherings. Not only for family and friends, but for notable figures like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Langston Hughes, popular civil rights activists of the time.

Gardens don’t have to be created by a trained professional to be meaningful and inspiring. We are all moved in different ways to create...and that is what translates into a beautiful space.