National Park Service

2016 Elizabeth Craig Weaver Proctor Medal

In appreciation for the first 100 years of leadership in preserving our natural and cultural resources for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of this and future generations.

Proposed by: The Portland Garden Club, Zone XII

On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the National Park Service Organic Act that mandated the National Park Service (NPS) “to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and wildlife therein, and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.” NPS celebrates its 100th Anniversary in 2016. Today, NPS manages 84 million acres of land and 400 national parks where it works to save endangered species and protect ecosystems. NPS is responsible for 13 World Heritage Sites in the US, 2461 national historic landmarks and the National Register of Historic Places. NPS maintains 68 thousand archeological sites and manages the largest system of museums in the world, caring for over 120 million artifacts in the collections of our national parks.

The Elizabeth Craig Weaver Proctor Medal is awarded, by specific request, to non-members for exemplary service and creative vision in any field related to The Garden Club of America’s special interests.

Elizabeth Craig Weaver Proctor (1918–2014) was a member of The Garden Club of Nashville, Zone IX, a GCA director and GCA Executive Committee vice president. She served on the Nominating, Literary, and Founders Fund committees and chaired the Public Relations and Visiting Gardens committees. She was instrumental in the relocation of the Howe Garden to Cheekwood Estate & Gardens in 1968 and was a two-term mayor of the city of Belle Meade. She received the Zone IX Creative Leadership Award in 1982 and the GCA’s Amy Angell Collier Montague Medal for outstanding civic achievement in 1991. Elizabeth served on the boards of the American Horticultural Society, Mount Vernon, and Historic Kenmore in Virginia. The award was originally known as the Special Citation (1963–2003). It was endowed by the Elizabeth Craig Weaver Proctor Charitable Foundation in June 2003 and first awarded in 2004.

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