Mary Brownlee Wattles was born in Sylvia, Kansas on October 23rd, 1889. Her parents were William and Isabella (Nicholson) Brownlee. She was from a family of ten and the family lived on a family-owned 1,200-acre ranch in Sylvia. Mrs. Wattles graduated from the University of Kansas in 1918 with a BA. After graduation, she obtained her teacher’s certificate. She taught high school English for two years, from 1918 – 1920. She began working for the YWCA in 1919 and ultimately left teaching to work full-time with the YWCA. It was during her employment with the YWCA that her community interests began to grow. Her husband-to-be (Willard) was an instructor at the University of Kansas. It was here that he befriended one of Mary’s brothers. Willard and Mary met for the first time when he came home with her brother one summer to work on the family farm during vacation break. When her position with the YWCA took her to Seattle to work, she and Willard kept up with correspondence. Then, when Willard traveled to Seattle to visit her, they became engaged. The couple married on June 25th, 1925. After a seven-year career in teaching and YMCA work, Mary gave up her professional interests when she married. They relocated to Winter Park in 1927, when her husband accepted a professorship at Rollins College. He was not only a professor of English, but a published poet as well. Their home was located at 455 Melrose Avenue. In 1930, their son Austin was born. The couple entertained often. The professor’s students came for meals and there were numerous faculty parties that were held in their home. She enjoyed home-making, working in her garden, and serving the food that she prepared. She was well known for her carrot cake. Her husband once asked her to get involved in civic affairs . . . to offer her services for the welfare of their town. She took that request to heart and became involved in numerous organizations. Here is a list of the organizations in which she took part: American Association of University Women Colored Day Nursery DePugh Nursing Home Association Friends of the Winter Park Public Library Library Board: Winter Park Public Library Needlework Guild Rollins Women’s Association United Nations Association Welborne Day Nursery & Kindergarten Welfare Association of Winter Park Winter Park Garden Club Women’s Club In 1948, she received from Rollins the Algeron Sydney Sullivan Medallion, one of the college’s highest awards for service to the community. Mary Wattles was dedicated to the Winter Park Public Library, serving at different times on the Library Board (acting as president for 10 years) and on the Friends of the Winter Park Public Library. She played an important role in providing a new library for the city of Winter Park. In fact, she was considered the motivating force behind the development that new library. She was so highly respected that when the library building was dedicated in 1959, the new library garden was named in her honor. The Mary Wattles Garden served as both a formal garden and (on pleasant days) as an outdoor reading room. The garden was decorated with benches, an umbrella table, sun dial, bird bath and an ornamental iron gate. Landscaping was done by the Winter Park Garden Club. The plaque that commemorated Mrs. Wattles’ years of service to the library is pictured below. In 1969, the garden gave way to an expansion of the building – at the request of Mrs. Wattles. In 1970, the new Mary Brownlee Wattles Reading Room was dedicated. Her husband, Willard died in 1950. Mary died on March 10, 1989 at the age of 99 years.   Professor of English at Rollins College from 1927-1950, Willard Wattles was also a nationally recognized poet. Mary Wattles remembered him this way: “My husband was the most handsome, wonderful man . . . You will never have a single regret if you marry the man who is right for you. And I did.” Orlando Sentinel April 4, 1971 “People make the mistake of not getting involved. When I came to Winter Park, I felt I should. I felt I should make a contribution to the town . . . “ Winter Park Sun Herald August 25, 1977 “Mary Brownlee Wattles is one of those rare women who radiates good health and energy – yet conveys a sense of tranquility and serenity at the same time.” Winter Park Sun Herald April 2, 1959 “Mary Wattles was honored some years ago with the Mary Wattles Garden . . . this land had been set aside in tribute to her and her efforts in establishing the present building.” Winter Park Sentinel April 6, 1969 “Mary Brownlee Wattles. A quiet force in the Winter Park community for 50 years. The woman for whom the Winter Park Public Library reading room is named.” Winter Park Sun Herald August 25, 1977 “It has been a long time since there was a ‘Mrs. Winter Park.’ But should the occasion arise for the honor, one of the prime candidates would be Mrs. Willard Wattles.” Orlando Sentinel Star November 2, 1969 Dated December 1st, 1980, this proclamation declares that December 7th, 1980 will be known as Mary Brownlee Wattles Day in Winter Park. It is signed by Mayor James Driver. City of Winter Park December 1, 1980 On the occasion of being awarded the A.S. Sullivan Award at Rollins College, Rollins President Hamilton Holt stated, “. . . you are a woman of transparent goodness of spirit . . . with a nature as life-giving as the Kansas prairies from which you spring.” Winter Park Herald February 27, 1948 “This gracious lady has done her good deeds in a quiet, efficient manner. Honors have been bestowed on her which she modestly protested as only doing what had to be done.” Orlando Sentinel Star November 2, 1969 “Mary Brownlee Wattles, who almost single-handedly raised the money for the Interlachen Avenue library expansion, was recognized for her one-half century of service to the Winter Park Public Library at the dedication of the new building Friday.” Winter Park Sun Herald April 27, 1979