A First Look at the Iris Show
In 1933, an article in the Charlotte Observer promoted the first annual iris show sponsored by the Charlotte Iris Society. This was an educational show only; there was no admission, no prizes, and no judging. The following year, the second annual exhibition of the Charlotte Iris Society was held at a department store. This foundation laid the groundwork for the society’s future endeavors and fostered a growing appreciation for the beauty of irises in our community.
Official Formation of the Society
The Charlotte Iris Society was officially organized on March 1, 1948, to promote the culture and improvement of the “Iris.” A joint meeting of the Charlotte Garden Club and the garden department of the Charlotte Women’s Club met with Mr. W.J. McKee, an AIS Director; ten days later, the Charlotte Iris Society (CIS) was created. CIS began with 32 regular members and 5 honorary members. From those modest beginnings, our society has grown manifold, cultivating a vibrant community united by a shared passion for irises.
Expansion and Community Impact
The CIS became an affiliate of the American Iris Society (AIS) on January 1, 1994. Community projects such as landscaping with irises at the Duke Mansion, the Charlotte Council of Garden Clubs, and the Methodist Home, along with donating irises for various civic beautification projects, exemplify our commitment to our mission. Through iris education at the annual fall iris sale and continued support of the endowed scholarship with the Foundation of CPCC, we strive to uphold the original mission of the CIS: “to promote the culture and improvement of the Iris.”