The Burden Horticulture Society and the East Baton Rouge Master Gardener Association have each made a donation for a new welcome center at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden. Representing the donors and AgCenter are, from left, Ellen Mathis, development coordinator, LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden; Mary Tharp, past president, East Baton Rouge Master Gardener Association; Kitty Hessburg, past president, Burden Horticulture Society; Jeff Kuehny, director, LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden; Mary Tauzin, past president, East Baton Rouge Master Gardener Association; Margaret Hawkins, publicity chair, East Baton Rouge Master Gardener Association; Richard Babin, treasurer, East Baton Rouge Master Gardener Association; Kerry Hawkins, president, Burden Horticulture Society. (Photo by Tobie Blanchard, LSU AgCenter)

News Release Distributed 09/28/15

BATON ROUGE, La. – The Burden Horticulture Society and the East Baton Rouge Master Gardener Association have each made a donation to the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden for a new welcome center.

The Burden Horticulture Society donated $100,000, and the East Baton Rouge Master Gardener Association donated $50,000.

Kerry Hawkins, president of the Burden Horticulture Society, said he hopes the donation will help enhance the property.

“Burden is a place where you can participate in nature without having to leave the city,” Hawkins said. “It’s a beautiful place for people to come and spend time.”

Mary Tauzin, past president of the East Baton Rouge Master Gardeners Association, said Master Gardeners think of Burden as their home turf. It is often where they meet, conduct training and fundraising, and offer support.

“A welcome center would focus people into different areas of unknown jewels on the property and allow people to better enjoy the donation of the Burden family,” Tauzin said.

A new welcome center, which is part of Burden Museum and Gardens master plan, would have more meeting space and be a place for educational opportunities.

According to Jeff Kuehny, director of the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden, the welcome center will grow Burden Museum and Gardens into an accessible, engaging destination for families, students and the wider community.

“It will give visitors a one-stop location for information about the Burden property and its various features, including the Botanic Gardens, East Baton Rouge Parish extension office, research facilities, Windrush Gardens and the LSU Rural Life Museum,” Kuehny said.