Bernice Echols Grant

Bernice Echols Grant. Preservation Pioneer. , Service to the Community , Bernice Echols Grant came to Brunswick as Glynn County’s Extension Agent in 1927. She was instrumental in reorganizing the county’s garden club program, and provided design guidance for the landscape of the Historic Glynn County Courthouse, one of Brunswick’s most beloved landmarks., During World War II, she taught families how to best provide for their own needs while raising food for the war effort. Through the County Extension’s 4-H program and numerous home economics clubs, Mrs. Grant helped young people expand their horizons and prepare for their futures., When Bernice Grant retired from the Extension Service in 1960, a Southern Magnolia was planted here in Machen Square in her honor. She continued to serve her community as an advocate of education and conservation for the rest of her 99 years., A Green Legacy , As Chairman of the Brunswick Park and Tree Commission from 1943 -1966. Mrs. Grant worked tirelessly to save the treasured green spaces of Brunswick. As a charter member of the Marshes of Glynn Association, and a member of the Georgia Nature Conservancy, she helped prevent environmentally irresponsible development from destroying the natural beauty of our area., The City of Brunswick is forever grateful to Bernice Echols Grant for her work in preserving its natural beauty and unique historic character., Signature Squares of Brunswick, a non-profit organization founded to restore and preserve the parks and squares within the historic district of Brunswick, gratefully acknowledges the research contributions of Mia Knight Nichols and the support of the City of Brunswick: Delong-Sweet Foundation: The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc., Magnolia Garden Club; Jekyll Island Authority; Friends of Coastal Georgia History; Downtown Development Authority; Plum Creek Foundation; Jerry Spencer, ASLA, Landscape Architect., (captions) , Above: Bernice Echols in her graduation photo, University of Georgia’s School of Home Economics, Class of 1925. Photo courtesy of Echols family, Left: Bernice and Earl Grant, at their home, Paradise Corner, in Brunswick. The Grants maintained a small nursery in their own yard to grow plants for the squares. Photo courtesy of Echols Family., Left: Mrs. Grant stands next to the Lanier Oak for this photograph at her retirement party in 1960. She continued to support her beloved 4-H programs for many years. She was also an important part of leading the garden clubs of Glynn County to become a powerful force for conservation and beautification. Photo courtesy of the Echols family., Below: Mrs. Grant offered professional guidance for the landscape design for the historic Glynn County Courthouse.