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We're in Edgefield, South Carolina,
and I'm talking to Henrietta Humphreys
about the connections between Edgefield and history
and camellias.
And, Henrietta, how does all this combine in the story?
It's an old town founded in 1785,
and the first camellias we know were in 1858
at the home of Governor Pickens.
There are no more there because the flowers
and the plants and the house were moved to Aiken.
Then in 1895, a lawyer named Edmund Folk built this house
and brought a camellia from his mother's yard
in Batesburg I believe, and planted it
and it is still alive, and it's in his yard.
And we think that's the oldest camellia in Edgefield.
And another interesting thing about that yard
is that there was a camellia bush that
had grown up to the second floor of the house.
AMANDA MCNULTY: And they can get quite large.
HENRIETTA HUMPHREYS: And it was.
It was very large.
And he would reach out from the bedroom
window on the second floor and pick the camellia
for his bride, or his wife.
Oh, what a sweet story.
HENRIETTA HUMPHREYS: And then as a result,
there were three men who became very interested in camellias,
and one was Rainsford Cantelou, and although he
was a pharmacist, he was called Judge,
because he and the other men were
very active in the camellia society
and judged flower shows.
Then the second guy, Joseph Holland and his wife,
Chrissie were the house with about 150 camellias and the--
it's where-- that's where the tea that beginning.
And they were showing their flowers to their friends.
AMANDA MCNULTY: So they would have an annual party
and invite their friends and display the camellias
and have a lovely party at the same time.
HENRIETTA HUMPHREYS: That's right.
They also-- all three of the men had gathered--
became very good friends with Magnolia Gardens and Middleton
Gardens, the people who live there.
And so a lot of our camellias in Edgefield came from there.
And they were also grafted.
The third gentleman, which the garden that we're in right now,
Doug Wise.
And the funny thing about him was that he, like you said,
I don't drink, I don't smoke, and I don't chase women,
but I don't mind paying for camellia plants.
AMANDA MCNULTY: And his daughter still lives here today
and maintains his collection.
HENRIETTA HUMPHREYS: That is correct.
She-- she is here.
It's a very old house and garden.
AMANDA MCNULTY: And, of course, the Edgefield Historical
Society is now housed in an old house here, also.
What is the name of that house?
HENRIETTA HUMPHREYS: That house is Magnolia Dale.
AMANDA MCNULTY: And is that where you all
have the camellia tea now?
HENRIETTA HUMPHREYS: That is where we have the tea.
And in 2008 is when we revived the tea,
and we now have 75% of our attendees
are from out of this area.
They come from all over.
The thing about the tea that makes it so special, I think--
first of all, the setting is lovely.
The house just starts smiling when you're having a party.
But we have-- a group of us go around
the gardens in the county and pick
as many varieties of japonicus, because that's primarily
our camellia for the outdoors here.
You pick japonicus and as many varieties as we can find,
and we bring them and we show them
in glass jars, little glass things
like they used to use at the camellia shows.
AMANDA MCNULTY: Yes
HENRIETTA HUMPHREYS: And in front of each one,
it had the name and the date.
And we have so many that we have a pre--
like to start one in one hand, the heirlooms of another,
and all spread out on the tables.
AMANDA MCNULTY: If people come, do they also have a nice tea
party while they're there?
HENRIETTA HUMPHREYS: Well, now, that's probably
as important as the camellias.
Because the thing that is so wonderful about the tea is it's
a great dining room with a long table,
and the most beautiful food displayed.
But we do not use any paper or any plastic.
AMANDA MCNULTY: Ah-ha.
HENRIETTA HUMPHREYS: So just like regular-- we have tea cups
and we have plates, and we have little linen napkins.
Oh, my goodness gracious.
Well, Henrietta, if people would like to take the opportunity
to come and find out more about history and camellias,
how can they find out about Edgefield
and when the two is held.
Is there a place they can call?
HENRIETTA HUMPHREYS: Yes, there is.
They can call the Discovery Center and The County--
Edgefield County Historical Society.
And it's-- generally, we try to have it on Thursday afternoon
nearest Valentine's Day.
And we like for people to come for the whole day,
because there are gardens for people to see
and many different kinds of restaurants in the town.
And the tea is from 3:00 to 5:00.
Well, thank you so much for letting us learn more
about this wonderful part of South Carolina's history.
My pleasure.
Loved having you here.
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