Volunteer Spotlight: Becky Basset

Rooted in History, Growing Through Service

How Ms. Becky Basset Cultivates Community Engagement at the Columbus Botanical

Garden

Tucked quietly between the hum of traffic and the hush of native blooms lies the heartbeat of a garden not just growing plants—but growing people. And at the center of it all is Ms. Becky Basset: a master gardener, retired tourism expert, and steadfast volunteer whose warmth and storytelling have become as much a part of the Columbus Botanical Garden as the wild phlox or heirloom tomatoes.

For over a decade, Ms. Becky has been a quiet yet powerful force for community engagement. What began as a simple favor to a friend has bloomed into years of devoted service—rooted in generosity, historical insight, and genuine connection. 

“I started volunteering with a friend, Liz Kendrick,” Becky recalls. “She volunteered us to work at what they called the welcome desk back then.” 

Though her friend eventually had to step away, Becky stayed. She stayed because the garden grew on her—and so did the people.

After retiring from the Georgia Department of Economic Development—where she worked for 34 years in tourism development and marketing—Ms. Becky wasn’t quite ready to sit still. She took a Master Gardener course to finally spend time with plants, but found herself drawn into something much bigger. 

“I met a bunch of new people. That was around the time the garden was starting to come together,” she says. “I saw that I could provide a service—giving tours, helping others give tours, and emphasizing the importance of tourism by getting involved here.” 

And serve she has. Most often, you’ll find her in the historic Adams Farmhouse, offering guided tours filled with fascinating anecdotes and Southern charm. But what she truly offers is context—bringing the house, the family, and the land into clearer focus. 

“This little piece of land cannot be found anywhere else in the world,” she says. “It’s unique to Columbus, Georgia, and this River Valley.” 

Whether sharing how the house was built before electricity—with airflow and 12-foot ceilings in mind—or how the Adams family kept it alive for nearly a century, Ms. Becky connects the dots between past and present with remarkable care. 

She even points out stories tucked beneath the surface—like salvaged wooden beams pulled from the Chattahoochee River, likely hewn by enslaved laborers and hidden underwater for 150 years. To Becky, every detail matters. Every object, a thread in the fabric of local history. 

“They didn’t just get rid of an old house—they preserved it and created an attraction,” she says of the family’s decision to donate the property to the city. “That’s a huge contribution.”

When asked what cultivating community engagement means to her, Becky pauses—then speaks with the clarity of someone who’s spent a lifetime creating meaningful experiences.

“Repeat business is free business. You don’t have to go out and solicit it. People come back just to say thank you. That’s how you know you’ve done something right.” 

And in her eyes, that’s what the Columbus Botanical Garden does best. It delivers more than expected. It surprises. It connects. And it leaves visitors wanting to return—whether they’re here for a grandchild’s graduation, a softball tournament, or just a peaceful afternoon among blooms. 

“If someone has a good experience, they’ll tell at least eight other people,” she adds with a knowing smile. “It’s about spreading goodwill—not just for the garden, but for Columbus.” 

Despite her years of service, Becky knows that one volunteer can’t do it all. Her final words are an invitation: 

“We need more volunteers,” she says. “A self-guided tour is lovely, but there’s something special about connecting with people, sharing the little stories… the kind of things that make it personal.” 

So if you’ve been wondering how to get more involved—whether you're new to the city or just looking for a purpose—you won’t find a better guide than Ms. Becky. 

Start with a single tour. Stay for the stories. 

And before long, you just might find yourself growing something beautiful—right here in the heart of Columbus.