Early Camellias in Louisiana 1825-1860: Long-Lost Treasures Re-discovered

Name: Early Camellias in Louisiana 1825-1860: Long-Lost Treasures Re-discovered
Start: 2026-01-29T17:30:00-06:00
End: 2026-01-29T19:30:00-06:00
Location: 1204 Johnston St., Lafayette, LA, United States, Louisiana 70503

Schedule

Thu Jan 29 2026 at 05:30 pm to 07:30 pm

UTC-06:00

Location

1204 Johnston St., Lafayette, LA, United States, Louisiana 70503 | Lafayette, LA

Louisiana’s gardens are full of modern plantings, yet a handful of remarkable “ancients” still survive. These early camellias were introduced between 1825 and 1860. Once highly prized and marketed by European and Northeastern nurseries, many of these varieties fell into obscurity; their stories scattered across archives and old gardens. While researching Early Camellias in Louisiana, Dr. Wayne Stromeyer and his coauthors traced these blooms through historic letters, catalogs, and fieldwork, identifying long-lost varieties and documenting surviving plants across the state. Their work brings renewed attention to these camellias, living heirlooms and rediscovered treasures, and showcases them through rich historical context and photography.
Join us at the Center for Louisiana Studies on January 29 for an evening with Dr. Stromeyer as he shares his research journey, highlights early camellia varieties, and invites you to appreciate this iconic flower at the peak of the season. Doors open at 5:00 p.m.; the talk begins at 5:30 p.m. Limited parking is available at Roy House, with additional parking at Marin Hall Circle and ParkMobile lots along University Avenue.