Jones Family Tenant Farm Welcomes Distinguished Visitors

Tall Timbers was pleased to host Jerry Pinkney on November 2, 2018. Mr. Pinkney is one of America’s most admired children’s book illustrators. He has won the Caldecott Medal and five Caldecott Honors, among many other awards. The Caldecott medal is given by the American Library Association to the artist who has created the most distinguished children’s picture book of the year. In 2010, Mr. Pinkney won the medal for his book The Lion & the Mouse.

Mr. Pinkney was in the Red Hills for an event at the Thomasville, Georgia library. He told his hosts that while he was in the area he particularly wanted to see the Jones Family Tenant Farm at Tall Timbers. We arranged for Mr. Pinkney and his wife, Gloria, to meet Eluster Richardson, the artist for the interpretative exhibits at the tenant farm. Also, joining us was Eluster’s wife, Lessie, who has assisted with many events at the farm. Juanita Whiddon, curator of the exhibits, led the tour and was assisted with the audio portion of the exhibits by volunteer Curtis Johnson. It was stimulating for the rest of us to see and hear both artists engaged in conversation about their works. Mrs. Pinkney, a former gospel singer, was charmed with the musical recordings of Richard Jones.

It was wonderful to be able to share our tenant farm treasure with such appreciative guests on one of this year’s wettest days in the Red Hills, but our hearts were warmed by their visit. We would like to thank Abby Watt and Thomasville Landmarks for coordinating the visit.

Visitors

Front row, seated: Eluster Richardson, Lessie Richardson, Jerry Pinkney, and Gloria Pinkney. Back row: Juanita Whiddon, Curtis Johnson and Abby Watt. Photo by Rose Rodriguez

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