William Bartram (1739 - 1823) Oil Portrait by Charles Willson Peale, Courtesy Independence National Historical Park.

Plate 58 from William Bartram Botanical and Zoological Drawings, 1756-1788.

Plate 22 from William Bartram Botanical and Zoological Drawings, 1756-1788.

“Bartram’s Journey: The 1775 Journey of William Bartram to Western North Carolina” traces Bartram’s life and his observations of not only plant life, but also the people and places he encountered in the southeastern United States.

The region was the scene of plant collecting in the early to mid-18th century, with its largely undescribed flora, and Bartram and his father, John Bartram, were known as purveyors of seed and stock of North American plants. More than 4,000 species were propagated at their garden in Philadelphia, Pa., and more than 200 species were introduced into the horticultural trade through their efforts.

William Bartram’s observations were published in 1791 in a book now titled “Travels.”

The Bartram’s Journey exhibit is the result of a collaborative effort of the Mountain Heritage Center, the Highlands Biological Station and the Cashiers Historical Society. The Highlands Biological Station recently debuted its “William Bartram Trail” exhibit featuring about 30 mountain and piedmont species with Bartram connections, and the Cashiers Historical Society held a three-day symposium exploring the travels of Bartram to Western North Carolina.

Bartram’s Journey will remain on display at the Mountain Heritage Center through Aug. 20.

The Mountain Heritage Center is located on the first floor of the H.F. Robinson Administration Building on the Western Carolina University campus. For more information, call (828) 227-7129 or check out the Web site www.wcu.edu/mhc.