– Greenbelt Cooperator, November 30, 1950
The Greenbelt Christmas Tree will be dedicated tomorrow night at the Center to the late Angus MacGregor, former landscape supervisor for Greenbelt, by the Woman’s Club. A bronze plaque set in a concrete base will be installed at the base of the tree, which reads, “In Memory of Angus MacGregor, Pioneer Landscape Gardener, Greenbelt, Maryland.”
Mr. MacGregor died last December 20 (1949). He was associated with the development of Greenbelt from its earliest days, and was responsible for all of the landscaping which has made our city so attractive. Sixty-seven years old when he died, MacGregor was born in Blairgurie, Perthshire, Scotland. He came to the United States in 1914 at the request of J. P. Morgan to landscape Morgan’s estate. After working for owners of several large estates, he moved to Maryland in 1931, when he went to work at the Beltsville Research Center. His association with Greenbelt followed.
Mr. MacGregor had long looked with disfavor on the cutting and discarding of trees that were used for Christmas at the city’s center. He advocated the planting of one tree for the purpose at the customary site. Mrs. Leon G. Benefiel, representing the Woman’s Club of Greenbelt, had brought to the attention of the city council the idea of using one tree, but the city never acted on the matter, after expressing approval of the idea. It was originally planned to plant a tree near the high school, the two public schools and the parochial school, with the students contributing for the lights.
The plan is still being considered by the city recreation department for the future.
Mrs. Catherine Reed, the first principal of the Center elementary school and present supervisor of elementary schools in the county, will make the dedication address. Mrs. Reed and MacGregor proposed the plan for one tree in the early days of Greenbelt.
In a letter to the editor, Mrs. Aimee Slye proposed the dedication of a Christmas tree to MacGregor, following his death. The Cooperator supported the idea editorially, expressing the hope that it would be done this Christmas.
A program following the dedication has been planned by the city recreation department.