Madelynn Watkinson, the caretaker of the College of William and Mary’s Adams Garden, retired yesterday after volunteering for more than 20 years. During this time, she helped with numerous horticulture and geology projects with the Christopher Wren Foundation, the greenhouse in Millington Hall and the Muscarelle Museum of Art. She has also participated in archaeological digs with geology professor Gerald Johnson.
Watkinson began caring for the garden — located at the corner of Richmond Road and N. Boundary Street — after moving to Williamsburg in 1986. She received the National Arbor Day Award in 1993 and the College’s Prentis Award in 1998.
“It has been great watching how the College has grown and changed over time,” Watkinson said. “I will miss Williamsburg. This is a truly special place.”