The Morgan-Wood Medal

History by Clarence Mahan ......................................................related links: Awards

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.

The highest award reserved exclusively for Siberian Irises within the American Iris Society from 1952 through 1984.

‘Here be Dragons’ -2010-- By Schafer-Sacks

’Ruffles And Flourishes ’---------- 2009-- By Hollingworth

’Fond Kiss’----------- 2008--------By Markey Smith

’Ships Are Sailing’- -------2007----------By Schafer-Sacks

’Riverdance’-----------2006--------By Schafer-Sacks

’Where Eagles Dare ’ -2005-- By Helsley

’Blueberry Fair’-2004- By Hollingworth

’Careless Sally’ - 2003-By Schafer-Sacks

’Lake Keuka’s Circle’- 2002---By Borglum

’Strawberry Fair’--2001--By Hollingworth

2000 ‘Over In Gloryland' Hollingworth

1999 ‘Roaring Jelly' Schafer/Sacks

1998 ‘Frosted Cranberry' A.M. Miller

1997 ‘Coronation Anthem' Hollingworth

1996 ‘Shaker's Prayer' Warner

1995 ‘Aqua Whispers' A.M. Miller

1994 ‘Sultan's Ruby' Hollingworth

1993 ‘Jewelled Crown' Hollingworth

1992 ‘Lady Vanessa' Hollingworth

1991 ‘Mabel Coday' Helsley

1990 ‘King Of Kings' Varner

1989 ‘Dance Ballerina Dance' Varner

1988 ‘Pink Haze' McGarvey

1987 ‘Steve Varner' Briscoe

1986 ‘Butter And Sugar' McEwen

1984 ‘Pink Haze' McGarvey

1983 ‘Ann Dasch' Varner

1982 ‘Steve Varner' Briscoe

1981 ‘Butter And Sugar' McEwen 1980 [[SibRuffled Velvet Ruffled Velvet Mc Ewen

1979 ‘Augury' McGarvey

1978 ‘Silver Edge' McEwen

1977 ‘Vi Luihn' DuBose

1976 ‘Orville Fay' Mc Cord

1975 ‘Halcyon Seas' McCord

1974 ‘Grand Junction' McCord

1973 ‘Swank' Hager

1972 SibEgo[‘Ego']] McGarvey

1971 ‘Super Ego' McGarvey

1970 ‘Dewful' McGarvey

1969 ‘Velvet Night' Edwards

1968 ‘Pirouette' Cassebeer

1967 ‘Blue Brilliant' Cassebeer

1966 ‘Cool Spring' Kellogg

1965 ‘Violet Flare' Cassebeer

1964 ‘Tealwood' Varner

1963 ‘Snowcrest' Gage

1962 ‘White Swirl' Cassebeer

1954 ‘Tropic Night' Morgan

1953 ‘Caesar's Brother' Morgan

1952 ‘Tycoon' Cleveland

1952 ‘Eric The Red' Whitney

-- Main.RPries - 2009-12-24