Background
Hoyt, Minerva Hamilton was born on March 27, 1866 in on cotton plantation near Durant, Mississippi, United States. Daughter of Joel George and Emily Victoria (Lockhart) Hamilton.
Hoyt, Minerva Hamilton was born on March 27, 1866 in on cotton plantation near Durant, Mississippi, United States. Daughter of Joel George and Emily Victoria (Lockhart) Hamilton.
Educated Wards Seminary, Nashville, Tennessee, and College of Music, Cincinnati, O. Honorary Doctor of Bbtany, University of Mexico.
Her interest in gardens led her to learn more about desert plants and work for their preservation. After marrying Albert Hoyt, she moved with him to Pasadena, California. In Pasadena, Hoyt was a wealthy socialite and civic activist, working for a variety of civic causes, such as the Los Angeles Symphony.
Hoyt became interested in Southern California"s desert plants through her interest in gardening, particularly cactus and Joshua Trees.
She began to exhibit desert plants across the country, to educate people about their qualities, starting at the 1928 Garden Club of America show in New New York She later exhibited as far as London.
In 1930, Hoyt founded the International Desert Conservation League. Throughout the 1930s she worked to encourage the state of California to create three parks, including Joshua Tree, Death Valley, and Anza-Borrego Desert.
She also persuaded the Mexican government to set aside 10,000 acres for cactus preservation.
In 1936, her efforts persuaded the administration of President Roosevelt to designate more than 800,000 acres in the area as the Joshua Tree National Monument.
Member Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain, Horticultural Society of Germany, National Society of Colonial Daughters. Member American Planning and Civic Association. Clubs: Friday Morning (life), Southern Pasadena, South Pasadena Woman’s (life) also honorary.
Member McDowell Music and Artist
Married A. Sherman Hoyt. Children: Charles Albert (deceased), Ruth Hamilton (Mistress LeRoy Sanders), Julia Sherman (Mistress Hoyt-Griswold).