MIDDLE TENNESSEE DAFFODIL SOCIETY HISTORY

The Middle Tennessee Daffodil Society was organized on April 5, 1958. This was four years after the American Daffodil Society was organized on April 9, 1954 in Washington, D.C. Louise Linton Hardison, along with Mary Cartwright,  attended the 1957 ADS convention in Ohio, which inspired her to organize the MTDS. Louise Linton Hardison was the first MTDS president. Other founding members included Mary Cartwright, Margaret Cosner, Dan Eadie, Sam Caldwell and Clarence Connell.

 

The Middle Tennessee Daffodil Society would like to gratefully acknowledge the past growers and former members of our society who were instrumental in the growth and perseverance of the society. Those individuals, who over the years, encouraged many of the current members to fall in love with showing and growing daffodils. Members to whom we owe our gratitude include Louis Linton Hardison, Clarence Connell, Dan Eadie, Sam Caldwell, Pat Lee, Alice Wray Taylor, Kitty Frank, Billy Hobby, Pat Bates, Martha Gaines, Becky Talbot, Sue Thomas, Edna Metcalfe, Dot Allen and Arlene Ziegler.

 

Past Presidents of MTDS

1958 - 1960     Louise Linton Hardison 1990 - 1992                 Sam Winters

1966 – 1970    Mary Cartwright                       1992 – 1994                Mary Cartwright

1976 – 1978    Kitty Frank                               1994 – 1996                Mary Cartwright

1978 – 1980    Ted Snazelle                             1996 – 1998                San Winters

1980 – 1982    Becky Talbot                            1998 – 2000                Dick Frank

1982 – 1984    Betty McEachern                      2000 – 2002                Patrice Winters

1984 -              Mary Lou Gripshover               2002 – 2004                Ann McKinney

1984 – 1986    Dick Frank                               2004- 2006                  Becky Matthews

1986 - 1988    Alice Wray Taylor                    2006 –present              Ann McKinney

1988 – 1990    Sue Zapp                                

 

 

MTDS members who are past American Daffodil Society Silver Medal Winners – The Silver Medal is given for exceptional service to the American Daffodil Society.

 

1981 – Louise Hardison – a founder and the first president of MTDS. She was ADS membership chairman from 1958-1961. She was a superb exhibitor and instructor. Her daffodils now bloom in the Louise Hardison Garden at Cheekwood.

 

1991 – Kitty Frank – a past editor of The Daffodil Journal from 1986-1994. She was president of MTDS from 1976-1978 and was co-chairman of the 1993 ADS convention held in Nashville. Kitty was an outstanding judge, exhibitor and coordinated the Louise Hardison Garden at Cheekwood.

 

1999 – Dick Frank – a leading member of the MTDS for many years, exhibiting, judging and has worked as a judging instructor to add new judges to the Nashville area. Dick was president of MTDS from 1984-1986 and again from 1998-2000. He was co-chairman of the ADS convention in Nashville in 1993. He has also been the ADS Legal Counsel for more than 30 years.

 

 

Monumental moments involving the MTDS in ADS history:

1958 – Founding of the MTDS, with 112 members

1958 – First MTDS show

judged by George Lee, second ADS president

10 Quinn entries

 

1962 – ADS Convention held in Nashville

attended by 200 people

the first Judging School III was offered

         

1969 – ADS Convention held in Nashville

          First Quinn Gold Medal awarded to Harry Tuggle

 

1982 – ADS Convention held in Nashville

          Throckmorton Ribbon awarded for the first time

 

1993 – ADS Convention held in Nashville

          Miniature Bronze Award offered for the first time

         

 

The Middle Tennessee Daffodil Society is open to anyone who grows or wishes to grow daffodils. The purpose of the society is to promote the appreciation and cultivation of the daffodil.

 

In 2005, MTDS added two new sections to our annual show to encourage participation by members of the Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. and Master Gardeners. These sections have awards for best standard and best miniature entries.

 

A design section was also added in 2005 to add beauty and interest to the show. There are four different classes offered in the design section.

 

New for 2008, MTDS has added a photography exhibit for the added enjoyment of our show patrons. There are four classes in the section to include Daffodils in nature or in the Landscape, Portraits of Daffodils, Daffodils and People and Animals, and Abstract or Special Effects Celebrating Daffodils.

 

 

 

         MIDDLE TENNESSEE DAFFODIL SOCIETY

                               OFFICERS 2007-2008

 

 

President                                  Ann McKinney

Vice President                          Amanda McKinney

Treasurer                                  Ann McKinney

Membership Chairman               Anne Owen

Show Chairman                        Ann McKinney

Design Section Chairman Anne Owen

Staging Chairman                      Susan and Ray Basham

Judges Chairman                       Becky Matthews

Clerks Chairman                        Anne Owen

 

MTDS MEMBERS WHO ARE ADS OFFICERS

 

Dick Frank                      ADS Legal Counsel

Becky Matthews              ADS 2^nd Vice President

Ann McKinney                ADS Southeast Regional Director