Emily and Bill Bowron, longtime supporters of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, are being celebrated this year as the 2019 Antiques at the Gardens honorees.
Emily, a Savannah native, is a past co-chair of the annual event, a member of the antiques advisory board and a member of the board of directors of the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
Bill, a native of Birmingham, is chairman, president and CEO of Red Diamond Inc.; vice chair of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra; and president of the Mountain Brook Sports Foundation. Red Diamond has sponsored the headline lectures at Antiques at the Gardens since 2009.
Bill’s history with the gardens goes back to childhood.
“I remember visiting the Gardens as a child with my mother, and I recall how excited she was when the conservatory opened,” Bill said in a statement. “We donated coffee trees to the Gardens shortly thereafter.”
Emily had been a fan of the Gardens for many years and became seriously involved after retiring as a competitive equestrian in 2011.
“Bill and I have always loved Antiques at the Gardens, and the Gala is one of our favorite events of the year. It has been so nice getting to know many of the dealers, and we have certainly found some treasures to take home over the years!” she said.
She was asked to co-chair Antiques at the Gardens with Leah Taylor in 2015. The two reintroduced Saturday programs and offered lectures at no charge to see how they would go over. Taste in Spades was a huge success, and the lectures were filled to capacity, according to the statement.
Since then, subsequent co-chairs of the event have expanded on the offerings, she said, bringing in nationally acclaimed speakers such as Martha Stewart.
With money raised through the event and through contributions, the Friends group has developed educational programs and outreach activities that affect thousands of children and adults each year, according to the statement.
“I believe that the Birmingham Botanical Gardens is one of the true gems of Birmingham,” Emily said. “There is truly something for everyone: education, recreation, exercise, and just plain fun.”
Antiques at the Gardens is being held Oct. 3-6 and again will feature nationally acclaimed speakers, tastemakers and dealers. For information on event sponsorships, visit bbgardens.org/antiques or email Director of Development Penney Hartline at [email protected].
Tickets will be available for purchase Aug. 28 during an Antiques at the Gardens kickoff event featuring Margot Shaw, founder and editor-in-chief of Flower magazine and author of “Living Floral.” They will be available to the general public beginning Labor Day weekend.
You can check out the schedule for the October event and buy tickets for the August event at bbgardens.org/antiques.
