NEIGHBORnwork
Meet Barbara Faust,
Smithsonian Gardens Director: Virginia Native Farm Girl in the Big City
Text by Gaby Galvin Photos by Dan Weil
lions of annual visitors, Smithsonian Gardens has become a destination in its own right. As an American Alliance of Museumsaccredited public garden of museum quality, Smithsonian Gardens strives to continue to build its national renown for innovative horticultural displays and education; significant collections; and outstanding service to visitors, professional partners, and the Smithsonian museums, while making professional excellence the underlying principle of all its operations. I am honored to represent Smithsonian Gardens as its director. Q: Are you native to the DC region? A: I grew up in Nelson County, Virginia, which is three hours southwest of DC. I’ve been in the DC area for 38 years, so I’m almost a native! Q: How did you start in your field? A: Besides growing up on a farm, my first summer jobs during high school were picking and packing peaches and working for a boxwood nursery. I also was very active in 4-H. Many of my 4-H projects were plant-related. I just naturally gravitated to studying horticulture at Virginia Tech. My first job after graduation was at the Smithsonian in the horticulture department! The Smithsonian is such a grand institution that, once I was here, I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else.
Barbara Faust was born and raised in Virginia farm country, and has lived in the DC area her entire life. With Faust as Smithsonian Gardens director, the gardens have won accolades and acclaim. Her enthusiasm and passion make it clear that she is more than up for the challenging position. Q: Tell us about you and the Smithsonian Gardens. A: Smithsonian Gardens complement the museums, adding to the educa20
WASHINGTON GARDENER
JULY 2015
tional, scientific, historical, and cultural dimensions of the Smithsonian. With unique and diverse living plant displays, the gardens and landscapes serve as living museums, public garden, and urban sanctuary — safe, relaxing settings for social interaction. Our collection of gardens and exhibitions engage and inspire visitors while educating them about horticulture, plants, American history, artistic design, the natural environment, and sustainability. For many of the Smithsonian’s tens of mil-
Q: What is your favorite part of your career? A: I spend most of my time in my current position providing oversight and development of the overall Smithsonian Gardens program. I have loved every aspect of my career in horticulture but, if I were pressed, I’d say my favorite part was the greenhouse production of plant materials for use in the exteriors and interiors of the Smithsonian. Q: What is a typical day like for you? A: There’s no typical day for me, but most days consist of many, many meetings and lots of email correspondence. Smithsonian Gardens touches all aspects of the Smithsonian, so meeting subjects can be as varied as special event planning to review of garden plans to exhibition development.