Learn more about the materials and construction used to create the Alexander Discovery Center

CONTACT: Erica Smith
Director of Marketing
(863) 734-1210
esmith@boktower.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 3, 2016
Bok Tower Gardens Alexander Discovery Center

Learn the Secrets of Antique Cypress at Bok Tower Gardens’ Lunch and Learn Series Wednesday, September 7

LAKE WALES, Fla. – Over a century ago, Florida’s “gentle giants” – virgin, ancient and massive bald cypress trees – were logged and rafted down river to waiting mills for lumber. During the process, many of the densest logs sank to the bottom. Thanks to the restoration efforts of the Goodwin Company, of Micanopy, Florida these amazing logs are now seeing the light of day as beautiful reclaimed building products.

This fascinating history of cypress sinker logs will be presented by Goodwin Company’s resident historian and antique wood expert Jeffrey Forbes as part of the ongoing Bok Tower Gardens Lunch and Learn series Wednesday, September 7 at 12:00 p.m. in the Alexander Discovery Center. The event is included in general admission and is free to members. Event attendees are encouraged to bring their lunch or purchase a to-go meal in the Blue Palmetto Café. To RSVP, visit www.boktower.org.

In planning the largest expansion in the history of Bok Tower Gardens, Lake | Flato Architects of San Antonio, Texas requested the use of  2,000-3,000-year-old River-Recovered® Heart Cypress for use as siding on the new Alexander Discovery Center.

To achieve this design and aesthetic, craftsmen from the Goodwin Company – originators of the River-Recovered process – milled the heart cypress for the project from logs recovered from the Suwannee, Withlacoochee (northern) and Apalachicola Rivers. Forbes will discuss the Bok Tower Gardens project and specifically how to use heart cypress to create masterful designs. His presentation will also highlight many other insightful historic topics including:

• The Rise of Sustainable Architectural Design
• The Architectural Use of Virgin Growth Cypress
• A History of Florida’s Virgin Bald Cypress Forest
• Logging Practices in 19th Century Florida

Forbes will also include information on the restoration of longleaf pine habitats which is an ongoing mission for both Bok Tower Gardens and Goodwin Company.

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