SHSU Botanical Study-Art Complex

  SHSU Art Program and Art Department location has gone through many changes over the years.

Outdoor Pizza Oven used for Department special events

 This Blue Agave cactus plant was a transplant from one of the pups of a propagated cacti of Department Slide Librarian, Debra Harper.  She originally planted some of these cactus, in 2005, in a bed outside where she offices in the Lecture Hall, Building E.  Later the Grounds Crew wanted to create a Xeriscape bed outside the Art Department Office and 3G Gallery, and planted more in the front beds.

Student Art Association Billboard across from this site is this unusual site, a male and female (berry producing side) tree has intertwined their trunks.

Student 's art project hanging from an unusual Yaupon tree.  It appears that the male and female roots of two trees grew close together and this is the result. 

Another common plant found in Texas is growing around corner is a Lantana bush. Another common plant found in Texas which  attracts butterflies and hummingbirds with its' colorful blooms beginning in the Spring through until a Fall freeze.

 

 

Art Found Surrounding the  Complex

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Tree in the background is a Pecan. 

 In the 1980's the site was cleared. 

 

The Canterbury House once stood where Art Building D and the sitting area is currently located.  This particular house was built for Harry F. Estill as a retirement home, and remained in the family until 1979.  The last use of the home was as the Episcopal Student Center.

 

Behind Art Building B where Ceramic and Printmaking classes are held, and the SOFA Gallery is located an unusual plant can be found, a Hercules Club.  It is also known as a Toothache Tree or Tickle Tongue Tree because of the numbing sensation it leaves in the mouth.  It has medicinal properties to relieve the pain of teething.

 

 



 

 

Until Next Time.

 

 

 



 

 

 





 





 



SHSU Botanical Research- ABIII & Farrington Bldg.(SELF-GUIDED TOUR #11 & #12)

SELF-GUIDED TOUR MAP #11 & #12
FITNESS WALKING MAP -  1.5- 1.0 Mile

Once you top the hill and go around ABIII building you will run into the cannon known as Boomer.   There even is a special ROTC group called the Cannon Crew who fires one at special occasions.

Make note that across Bowers Blvd. is the Art Complex, which will be our last part of the Building and Botanical Research Tour.

Now keep walking to our last stop #12 on the Main Campus grounds to the Farrington Building.

If you go just past this sign and look on the left side of the sidewalk you will see these in ground plaques. 

 

 

Dr. Russell Palma who at the time was the Chair of the Physics department and Frank Cooper, had an idea sometime around 1992-93, to create and install stainless steel plaques that accurately represents our Solar System.  

First of the series of plaques

 



 

In the back of Austin Hall, near this statue of Sam Houston is where Pluto, the last of the plaques is located.


 

Time to back track a little, go back to where "Boomer" the cannon is located by ABIII building.  You will be crossing Bower Blvd. and going to the Art Complex located in the metal buildings sitting on the corner.

 

Until Next Time.

 

 

 



 

 

 

SHSU Botanical Research- NGL and Education Center (Genevieve H. Brown Garden), Children Sculpture SELF-GUIDED TOUR #6 & #7

SELF-GUIDED TOUR MAP #6 & #7
FITNESS WALKING MAP - Between 1.0 & 1.5 Mile


In between the Newton Gresham Library building and the Garrett Education Center next to the sidewalk leading to the faculty parking areas is this Reflecting Garden dedicated to a former Dean of Education.

 

Dean Genevieve Brown a beloved faculty member of SHSU, who had a long career, 48 years in Education with 28 years at Sam Houston before retiring.

Her reflective, butterfly garden was built with love.

Now coming back up the walkway and heading toward SELF-GUIDED TOUR #8 you will pass this bronze sculpture of children. 

According to the Heritage magazine, on April 1, 1989, this sculpture of a little boy pushing a young girl on a swing was presented as a "tribute to most student's favorite school period, recess and also to a former SHSU first lady", Frances Handley Bowers (1970-1989).  Bowers was a long time resident of Huntsville for over 50 years.  She was a drum major, and graduated from Sam Houston with a bachelor and two master degrees.

The CHSS building is the next stop between SELF-GUIDED TOUR #9 & #10.

Until Next Time.

SHSU Botanical Research- The Mall Area, Alumni Garden, Presidents Tree, Ravens Call Planter SELF-GUIDED TOUR #6

SELF-GUIDED TOUR MAP #6
FITNESS WALKING MAP - Between .05 & 1.0 Mile

The SHSU Mall area is another one of those places on campus that is full of fun exploration.

The Blatchley Bell Tower/Clock are fairly recent additions to the University grounds.  In April 2005, the Garden Clock and Tower were finished.  At noon you can hear the clock chime to the tune of "Hey Jude.". Also wonder why the clock's face has IIII and not IV?


Mall Area Fountain



 

Bell Tower & Clock

 

Next to the Bell Tower is this  memorial marker for

Rachel Pendray

An unfortunate victim of a violent crime

 who was shot and killed.

 

 

Raven's Call is another fairly recent yearly tradition that pays tribute to Lost Bearkats and is held in this area of the Mall.

The Alumni Garden is a area designated to honoring Alumni and a way to raise funds for the University Alumni Association.

 



 

The Presidents Tree  " a beautiful Saucer Magnolia that was planted in 1912 following the construction of the new state residence that the Estill family would occupy. The tree stands as a reminder of the history and legacy of the University."

While continuing to walk down the pathway, you will see a 20 ft. Statue of Sam Houston between the Lowman Student Center and the Smith-Hutton which was a $40,000 gift from Ron Mafrige, and sculpted by artist, David Adickes, who also made the 60 ft. Statue of Sam Houston on the I-45 access road.


Ron Mafrige

The Tour continues between markers #7 & #8.

 

 

Until Next Time.

 

 

 

SHSU Botanical Research- Administration Building (Hydrangeas) SELF-GUIDED TOUR #5

SELF-GUIDED TOUR MAP #5
FITNESS WALKING MAP - Between .05 & 1.0 Mile Presumably you have finished exploring areas around Austin Hall, Old Main, Jewel Garden, and Peabody Memorial Library.  In continuing your walk you will see this bench on the sidewalk leading to the Dan Rather building.

 

Immediately past the Dan Rather Communications building you will arrive at a sidewalk located between this building and the Administration Building.  Before heading on this pathway to the Mall area, make a small detour to look at the stunning Hydrangea bushes growing in front of the Admin. Building.

 

Hydrangeas is a genus of 70-75 species of flowering native plants, that find their origins in eastern Asia and the Americas.  In China, Japan, and Korea is the greatest species diversity.  Their height ranges from 3-5 feet tall, while a few can reach heights of 98 Ft by climbing up trees.  They are either deciduous or evergreen.
Their flowerheads are shaped and  resemble pom-poms.
Also next to the  building where University Presidents office is another bench commemorating former President Gaertner.

 

 

Now use the SELF-GUIDED TOUR map as a guide and walk towards the Mall area, Tour #6, but make a stop at the waterfall.

 

Until Next Time.



SHSU Botanical Research- Peabody Memorial Library, Ghosts Stories & Camellia SELF-GUIDED TOUR #4



SELF-GUIDED TOUR MAP #4
FITNESS WALKING MAP - Between .05 & 1.0 Mile

   

History of Peabody Memorial Library

 

Did you know that our SHSU Archivist, Barbara Klevit-Mason, who at one time officed in this building, has seen a ghost in the Library?

She speculates the woman's spirit may be one of the college's first Professors or Librarians who is wearing a dark outfit resembling fashions from the early 20th century.

                                                         More campus Ghost Stories

 

If you want a see for yourself,

The Library is open on designated days and hours

 Next is SELF-GUIDED TOUR #5, but first take note of the flowering bushes growing along side this building.

 

Wondering what this flower is? A Camellia

 

The most familiar of the camellias is Camellia japonica – often simply called ‘japonica’ – with varieties blooming from early winter through spring. C. japonica has been cultivated in the U.S. since about 1800, initially as tender greenhouse ornamental plants in the north.  It wasn’t until 1819 that C. japonica was introduced into southern U.S. landscapes through a nursery in Charleston.   Today, many large, old camellias grace old plantations and homesteads all across the south, and many fine specimens can be found around Tyler and East Texas



Lovely Camellias that grow along the side of the building

Keep walking down the sidewalk toward the Administration Building-SELF-GUIDED TOUR #5. 

 

Until Next Time.





SHSU Botanical Research-McLeod Tree & Thomason Bldg.-SELF GUIDED TOUR #2

SELF-GUIDED TOUR MAP #2
FITNESS WALKING MAP -Between 1.0 & 1.5 Mile

Coming from the Evans Complex and admiring the Red Cedar that seems to be hugged by a building, the next place on the Self-Guided Tour map is the Thomason Building.


Memorial Plaque inside entryway

The Building is named after SHNI graduate, John W. Thomason, Jr.  He was a celebrated author and illustrator.  A wonderful collection of his work can be found in the Newton Gresham Library, Thomason Room; List of Special Collections

A Wonderful memorial to Professor of Biology,
Claude A. McLeod





This day the leaves seem to shimmer
with leftover Fall foliage





This wonderful Red Oak tree is planted on the lawn just outside the Thomason Building's Entryway.  It is in memory of Professor of Biology, Claude A. McLeod.  This particular variety, a common type of Oak, is one of the trees found in the Big Thicket Preserve which was an important part of his life's work.

His work included the book, "The Big Thicket Forest of East Texas (1967), and can be requested from the Newton Gresham Library.  McLeod's work and was an important part of the development of the Big Thicket National Preserve.

Professor McLeod is also acknowledged for his contributions in one of my husband's favorite books, "Nature Lover's Guide to the Big Thicket," by Howard Peacock.  Peacock writes, "McLeod devoted his brilliant scientific rationale to provide and publish a territorial definition of the Big Thicket."

McLeod Scholarship

As you leave this site, make your way back to the street side of the Thomason Building.  Continue onto SELF-GUIDED TOUR #3


Until Next Time.