We are here at the WPA Memorial Garden at Norfolk Botanical Garden. This monument honors the African American workers, like Mary Ferguson and Edna Joyce, who worked to establish this garden.

The azalea garden concept was conceived by then Norfolk City manager Thomas P. Thompson and City Superintendent of Parks, Frederic Heutte. They believed that the Hampton Roads region had the perfect climate and soil for growing azaleas. The City of Norfolk provided 75 acres of high ground and 75 acres around the Little Creek Reservoir to establish a city garden.

The Azalea Garden project became a reality when Congressman Norman R. Hamilton announced on June 30, 1938 a Works Progress Administration grant of $76, 278 to underwrite this endeavor.

Since 1939 the Norfolk Botanical Garden has evolved into a 155 acre horticultural and educational experience featuring over 30 themed gardens. The original garden, now on the National Register of Historic Places still remains and is the only surviving garden created by African-American WPA workers. And like the entire Garden, it is a living testimony to the African American workers who created the Garden and were honored during the Garden's 70th anniversary when this WPA Memorial was unveiled in 2009.