Difference: InfoMedalMorganWood (r38 vs. r37)

The Morgan-Wood Medal

History by Clarence Mahan ......................................................related links: Awards; 2015 Morgan-Wood Medal Candidates.

This medal is restricted to Siberian (SIB) irises. It is named in honor of F. Cleveland Morgan (1882-1962) and Ira E. Wood (1903-1977).

F. Cleveland Morgan was a pioneer Canadian breeder of Siberian irises and a founding member of AIS. Some of his magnificent cultivars still enhance gardens around the globe. Three of his best known irises are 'Caezar', 'Caezar's Brother' and ‘Tropic Night'. Educated in England and Switzerland, he was a director of the Henry Morgan Company and a patron of Canadian arts. Morgan's association with the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts spanned a period of forty-five years, including 8 years as president of that institution. The museum held a special exhibition in 1961 to display more than six hundred works of art that he had donated.

AIS instituted the Morgan Award for Siberian Irises, the predecessor to the Morgan-Wood Medal, in 1951.

Ira E. Wood, who was known as Sandy to his friends, and his wife Betty were both scientists who worked for Bell Telephone Laboratories in New Jersey. They shared their iris hobby and were active in the activities of AIS and the Society for Siberian Irises. They often undertook iris society projects as a team and one of these was the production of the Handbook for the American Iris Society Members and Officers. The AIS awarded them both the Distinguished Service Medal in 1974.

Wood hybridized Siberian irises, but he introduced only one cultivar 'Ong's Hat.' He also served as a director of AIS and as its second vice president.

List of Morgan-Wood Medal winners - Siberian (SIB) Irises:
(Since 1985 - from 1952 through 1984, see lower: Morgan-Wood Award)

'Ginger Twist'   2016 - M. Schafer & J. Sacks	'Humors Of Whiskey'   2015 - M. Schafer & J. Sacks	'Tree Of 'Miss Apple' Songs' 2018 - M. Schafer & J. Sacks 2014 - M. Schafer & J. Sacks	'Swans In Flight' 'Judy, Judy, Judy' 2013 2017 - Robert Hollingsworth Hollingworth
'So Van 'Ginger Twist' Gogh' 2012 2016 - M. Schafer & J. Sacks	'Banish Misfortune' 'Humors Of Whiskey' 2011 2015 - M. Schafer & J. Sacks	'Here be Dragons' 'Tree Of Songs' 2010 2014 - M. Schafer & J. Sacks	'Ruffles And Flourishes' 'Swans In Flight' 2009 2013 - R. Robert Hollingworth
'Fond Kiss' 'So Van Gogh' 2008 2012 - M. Schafer & J. Sacks	'Ships Are 'Banish Misfortune' Sailing' 2007 2011 - M. Schafer & J J. Sacks	'Riverdance' 'Here be Dragons' 2006 2010 - M. Schafer & J J. Sacks	'Where Eagles Dare' 'Ruffles And Flourishes' 2005 2009 - C. Helsley R. Hollingworth
'Blueberry Fair' 'Fond Kiss' 2004 2008 - R. Hollingworth M. Schafer & J. Sacks	'Careless Sally' 'Ships Are Sailing' 2003 2007 - M. Schafer & J Sacks	'Lake 'Riverdance' Keuka' 2002 2006 - D. Borglum M. Schafer & J Sacks	'Strawberry Fair' 'Where Eagles Dare' 2001 2005 - R. Hollingworth C. Helsley
2000 - 'Blueberry Fair''Over In Gloryland' 2004 - R. Hollingworth	1999 - 'Careless Sally''Roaring Jelly' 2003 - M. Schafer & J Sacks	1998 - 'Lake Keuka''Frosted Cranberry' 2002 - A.M. Miller D. Borglum		'Strawberry Fair' 2001 - R. Hollingworth
1997 2000 - 'Coronation Anthem' 'Over In Gloryland' - R. Hollingworth	1996 1999 - 'Shaker's Prayer' 'Roaring Jelly' - C. Warner M. Schafer & J Sacks	1995 1998 - 'Aqua Whispers' 'Frosted Cranberry' - A.M. Miller
1994 1997 - 'Sultan's Ruby' 'Coronation Anthem' - R. Hollingworth	1993 1996 - 'Jewelled Crown' 'Shaker's Prayer' - R. Hollingworth C. Warner	1992 1995 - 'Lady Vanessa' 'Aqua Whispers' - R. Hollingworth A.M. Miller
1991 1994 - 'Mabel Coday' 'Sultan's Ruby' - C. Helsley R. Hollingworth	1990 1993 - 'King Of 'Jewelled Crown' Kings' - S.Varner R. Hollingworth	1989 1992 - 'Dance Ballerina 'Lady Vanessa' Dance' - S. Varner R. Hollingworth
1988 1991 - 'Pink Haze' 'Mabel Coday' - W. McGarvey C. Helsley	1987 1990 - 'Steve Varner' 'King Of Kings' - H. S.Varner Briscoe	1986 1989 - 'Butter And Sugar' 'Dance Ballerina Dance' - C. McEwen S. Varner
1988 - 'Pink Haze' - W. McGarvey	1987 - 'Steve Varner' - H. Briscoe	1986 - 'Butter And Sugar' - C. McEwen

List of Morgan-Wood Award winners - Siberian (SIB) Irises:
(Prior to 1985)

-- Main.RPries - 2009-12-24

I	Attachment	Action	Size	Date	Who	Comment
jpg	AIS_Bulletin_180_January_1966-pg18-Ira_E_Wood_edit.jpg	manage	21 K	26 Aug 2010 - 14:11	UnknownUser	AIS slides
jpg	Morgan-Wood-SIB_SM_edit.jpg	manage	49 K	26 Aug 2010 - 14:05	UnknownUser	AIS slides