We are working on the interpretive signs for the Caribbean Garden and one of the themes is the role of the Caribbean as a depository for plants from around the world. One of the stories is about Captain Bligh’s pursuit of breadfruit in the South Pacific and the resulting mutiny. We have a debate here about the language, which is
“While you’re likely familiar with Admiral Bligh’s ill-fated journey aboard the HMS Bounty, you may not be aware what brought him and his crew to Polynesia in the first place… Breadfruit.”
Are you familiar with Mutiny on the Bounty? Do you think most people are?
What are some of the things that you would like to know when you are visiting the gardens? I hope that we have plant labels covered – we are ordering 3000!
We are thinking about having special early morning hours one or two days a week for visiting with your dog – plastic bag and leash are compulsory. If we did have this available, would you come?
Another plan is to have a sunset concert one evening a week, probably Wednesday, during season and you could preorder a high quality boxed picnic dinner. Seating would be the blankets or folding chairs that you bring. Would you come?
Right now as we prepare to open in just 8 months we have lots of questions and it sure would be nice to hear from you.
Also I would really like to know if you Facebook or Twitter or use some other way of communicating.
Thanks and all the best, Brian
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Yes, we think most people interested in Naples Botanical Gardens would know about Captain Bligh, but perhaps not about Breadfruit.
We don't have any dogs. And although we love dogs, we would only be happy if their "POOP PICK UP" was Strictly Enforced. No one wants to dodge land mines.
Perhaps once or twice per season for the concerts - depending on who was performing.
We use Facebook, but are pretty private. Only family see our posts.
No, I think most people would not be knowledgeable about Captain Bligh. The sign should explain it instead of hinting about it. Also, I guess you realize "he" should be "him" in the quote. I'd enjoy the sunset concerts but I'm lukewarm about allowing dogs at the gardens. Yesterday I was intimidated (scared) by two dogs on leashes growling and straining to get at me while the owner tried to pull them away. Not a nice thing to happen while taking a walk.
I agree with the people who fear that dog owners will not abide by the poop pick up rules, there are always a few who just don't care.
Also because my husband and I work we would like to see some of the special events being scheduled on weekends
thanks
It's unclear to me why what Capt. Bligh did in Polynesia relates to the Caribbean, which is 6000 miles away. I believe visitors are interested in the names of plants, and where they originate from.
I'm not in favor of allowing animals into the Garden, at least not at the outset. I think pets are a slippery slope and add little to the enjoyment of most visitors; there are plenty of places for pet lovers to take their pets.
I am in favor of monthly concerts, and we would purchase pre-ordered boxed picnic dinners. I believe you'd get more attendance, as the Chicago Botanic Garden does, if you allow visitors to bring their own coolers with food and drink.
I'm also in favor of planning/constructing a bike path around the perimeter of the Garden at some time. The Chicago Botanic Garden has one, and it attracts a lot of bikers!
Hello Brian,
I'm Maurice Bligh, and VICE-ADMIRAL WILLIAM BLIGH RN., FRS., was my great-great-great-grandfather.
For over forty years I've written/broadcast/talked about my ancestor's fantastic life and adventures as the multi-talented man he really was, not the fictionalised character millions remember as 'Captain Bligh' in three 'Mutiny on the Bounty' Hollywood movies.
For those unaware of what the 'FRS' stands for: - did you know that he was a recognised scientist and a 'Fellow of The Royal Society' which was (and still is) an elite British institution of top scientific men and women? Among his list of talents --apart from his brilliant navigational, surveying, map-making and draughtmanship; his artistic paintings and drawings; his mathematics, anthropology, combative, diplomatic skills, he was also a botanist.
He sailed to and from the Pacific on three occasions during his naval career spanning almost half a century, and brought back the wonderfully precise archive material from which so many future navigators and scientists would learn about a part of the world that remained mysterious for so long. He and his pioneering breed of explorative mariners opened up the world's largest ocean for the benefit of all those who followed in their wake. While the plants that he and his crew collected were not limited (as some people think) to the Breadfruit, but a range of plants.
There's too much history to go into any kind of detail in this posting, but a couple of things about the 'Bounty' voyage was that had the-then 32 year old William Bligh been given the right tools to do the job (two larger ships with a contingent of Marines aboard) there would have been no opportunity for what in history was NOT a "mutiny" (a military 'strike') but "the piratical seizure of His Majesty's Armed Vessel (not HMS) Bounty."
In fact, when he returned to the South Pacific only two years after the Bounty, as "commodore"/captain of HMS 'Providence' sailing in company with the 'Assistant', the expedition was completely successful, and his crews cheered him when they returned home safe and sound. The Breadfruit trees of the West Indies islands; the apple trees in Tasmania, etc, were established because of the skills and dedication to duty of one William Bligh, a navigator extraordinaire.
A detailed list of the plants he gathered in Tahiti, and other places en route, is in the published voyage of HMS 'Providence'.
And by the way, my ancestor is buried in a family tomb in the churchyard of what used to be his local church, St. Mary's in Lambeth, London, where he lies close to other famous botanists of his 18th century era.
The church has been converted and it's now, appropriately, the 'Museum of Garden History'.
Maurice Bligh
March 2009
I do suggest Facebook. Fairchild and several other botanical gardens use it with great success. It captures both the mature and younger population. I suggested this to a board member a few weeks back. Glad to see it is on the table now for discussion.
Jim Bixler
Horticulturist, 3rd Street S. Naples
I think most people will be familiar with the Bounty. That is a great reference point. Anything that is in popular culture would make a good reference for people to link them more intimately with the plant world. EVERYONE in Kauai wanted to have their picture taken with 'the tree that featured in Jurassic Park'.
I like knowing the proper name of a plant, but also its more commonly known one. Then I like to know where it originated, and maybe its specific uses, or if it's attractive to butterflies etc.
I don't have a dog but like the idea of allowing people with dogs to come at special hours.
LOVE the concert idea!!! But why limit it to season....
Hetty Ford
I think the idea of having dogs in the garden maybe once a month is a great idea as long as the poop protocol is strictly enforced.
Also, the idea of having a concert in the garden maybe once every 2 weeks is a good idea as well as having box dinners available. I would come! It could also serve as another source for the garden to raise funds for future plans.
Dear Botanical Garden – Stories surrounding how the pineapple got to Hawaii are also interesting and bloodthirsty. I like the idea of more events at the Garden but would you also consider activities for people like myself who work and live here year round.
Thanks,
Lynn Carr
Enjoyed reading about new plans. I like the idea of the Sunset concerts.
Stanley Leonard
Suggestion re: statement about Admiral Bligh: change "While you're likely familiar" to "While you may be familiar" that lets you off the hook in case they've never heard of the famous gentleman, and they may then run to Wikipedia to find out why he's famous.
Helpfully; Harriet Schley
Dear Brian, as an NBG member for several years and a journalist for 50 years who approves of all you are doing, I would like to make some suggestions.
Assume the viewer has heard of Capt. William Bligh. Just tell the story in straight brief narrative style. See the Mutiny on the Bounty site on Wikipedia.com
You should tell what kind of signs these would be: colors, size, freestanding, large, small? That will indicate how much copy can go on the sign.
The lettering on these signs and the signs themselves should be uniform and easily read. There might to some floral decoration in the corners. I think the signage at the Naples Zoo, for instance, is poor.
Best of luck with your work here in Naples. My wife and I have seen what you have done in Cleveland and are pleased you have great plans here.
Sincerely,
Donald Miller
Glen Eagle
Dear Brian,
I enjoyed your blog and hope most people are familiar with breadfruit and Captain Bligh but I would check this out a little more. I don’t have a dog, but there are so many dog lovers around that the dog walk idea might be great. You could always try it and see how it works. I get a sunset right in front of me each night so I might not try that program more than once, just to do something different. Carry my own chair would discourage me but the dinner provided is good. Hope to see you soon at the Garden. I will be at the Flower Show this weekend with a group from our Garden Club back home.
Jan Parry
As we have many international visitors (and residents) each year in Naples, to assume real knowledge of Admiral Bligh might be questionable. It seems to "talk down" to anyone not so familiar.
Concerts seem a delightful idea. There are so many wonderful and talented musicians in Naples and Bonita. Would you plan chamber music and/or some other type? I would be most happy to help with this if it comes to pass. It would be such a good way to get new people to come and experience the Garden.
Joan Weber
Brian...concerts sound nice...Makes me remember Ravinia in Chicago, we often brought family or friends. Once candelabra. Lobster salad and cheese. Would there be allowed a fine bottle of wine? Blankets can be fun, my older bones may force a chair. What about a small fee for me borrowing one that someone else carried in? As for baggie dogs...don't have one. I hope not at concerts... Glenda
Mutiny on the Bounty. I am not familiar with the story, though I have heard it.
Dogs. I think it is fine to try early morning dog walks. I personally do not want to be in the Garden when dogs are there and I certainly do not want to see any evidence that they have been there.
Sunset Concerts and boxed suppers. Definitely will attend and support.
Facebook. Yes, I use Facebook.
Catherine
Hello Brian:
I'm quite new to the Garden and not quite sure about the context of your request for comment. But I'll take stab at it, not you or the Garden. I did know about the Bounty's quest but that's Polynesia not the Caribbean and a bit arcane. The things that would peak my interest probably are unique for the membership. I would much like to know the paleo-botany of the Caribbean, what plants attracted what populations, impacts of European intrusion into the area. Species dispersion and distribution from storms, birds and animal migration, human migration before and after European arrivals and its impact on the plants, plant economies etc. Within that context it would be much more satisfying to grow some of these plants myself.
Jim Maguire
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