VALDOSTA — With a carousel playing a sweet jingle, a fireplace full of gifts and three Christmas trees illuminating the lower level of The Crescent, the women of the Valdosta Garden Center urge people to bask in the holiday cheer.
The seven garden clubs at The Crescent, 904 N. Patterson St., have set the scene for the yuletide merriness as each one has added its special holiday touch to designated rooms.
“We want the public to see how we’ve decorated, to come in and get decorating ideas,” said Cathy Perry, president of the Holly Garden Club. “They can come tour (and) take family pictures.”
Perry’s mother, Bobbie Lester, who is also secretary for the Garden Center Council, said she wants people to realize the significance of The Crescent.
“What’s amazing to us is that there are people that have lived here all their lives, and they’ve never ever set foot in here and have never realized that this is privately owned by the Garden Center, Inc.,” Lester said. “They just think it’s a historical building in the city and they don’t realize that they’ve got a real gem in their community.”
Built in 1898 by lawyer Col. W.S. West, The Crescent originally housed West and his family. West was also a Georgia state senator and U.S. senator in 1914.
In 1951, The Crescent was almost demolished and transformed into a service station and car lot, but it was rescued thanks to three women who bought it for $35,000, that year’s Garden Club president T.H. Smith being one of them.
“We really wouldn’t still be here if the community hadn’t helped through the years,” Lester said.
Everyone is welcome to the Christmas open house, 2-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Special weekend hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, and 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10. It will be closed Dec. 12-15, 25-26.
Visit thecrescentvaldosta.com for more information, or call (229) 244-6747.
Amanda Usher is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1274.
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