Reports

American Iris Society
Region 9 - Illinois

SIIS CELEBRATES 50th ANNIVERSARY

It began as a dream in the minds of a group of friends and iris gardeners scattered
across Southern Illinois. Then with two organizational meetings held June 1 and June
7, 1959 respectively, at the home of Mrs. Georgia Hinkle, iris grower and hybridizer, of
Marion, Illinois, the dream became a reality called the SOUTHERN ILLINOIS IRIS
SOCIETY.

The phone lines began to hum as iris lovers called their friends with similar interests. A
bulletin was published and news of the new organization spread far and wide across
Central and Southern Illinois, even crossing the state lines. The first regular meeting
was held at the Norris City, Illinois, High School on September 13, 1959. Many had
traveled from far across Illinois and some from adjoining states to attend the meeting.
There were 88 registered participants.

By 1960, the new organization had affiliated with the American Iris Society. Six
additional judgeships were secured, bringing the total number of judges to eight in
Southern Illinois. Currently, SIIS has fourteen AIS accredited judges. Judges Training
schools were held in Benton, Illinois in 1962 and in Centralia, Illinois in 1964, 1966, and
1967. Mr. William Bledsoe conducted the 1964 Judges Training session. Mr. W. F.
Scott, Jr. conducted the other three Judges Training sessions. SIIS today continues to
sponsor Judges Training sessions for its membership and that of Region 09 AIS.

Early on SIIS established a test garden at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James S. Tucker in
Centralia, Illinois. Mr. Tucker was a long time instructor at Centralia Junior College.
Mr. Tucker not only grew but also hybridized and introduced many irises. The test
garden at the Tucker home later became the AIS Region 09 South Test Garden. Years
later, with the declining health and passing of Mr. Tucker, the Region 09 South Test
Garden was abandoned.

In May of 1963 a garden tour of several Southern Illinois gardens was held and was
reported to have been well attended. In August of 1963, the By-Laws of SIIS were
officially adopted. For many years annual AIS accredited iris shows were held in
Centralia. Currently SIIS and MIIS co-sponsor AIS accredited shows at Alton Square
Mall in Alton, Illinois.

For many years after the founding of SIIS the stated meetings were also held biennially
in April and August in Centralia, Illinois, the town being more or less centrally located for
the membership. Today, the stated meetings are still held biennially in April and
August, but the meetings now take place in Salem, Illinois.

SIIS, here’s to you and the vision planted in the hearts and minds of iris lovers that
early June 50 years ago in Marion, Illinois, 1959. May you grow and bloom forever.

Submitted by Steve Poole
Forty-year member and Past President of SIIS