There are a couple of organizations that might be of interest. One is Seed
Savers Exchange, 3076 N Winn Rd., Decorah, Iowa 52101, 319/382-5990. The
other is Native Seeds/SEARCH, 2509 N Campbell Ave. #325, Tucson, AZ 85719
(which can be found at web site: www.desert.net/seeds/) SEARCH preserves
traditional native crops and seeds primarily for the southwest and northern
Mexico. While I realize that won't help much with coastal North Carolina, it
may provide a good starting point.
 
In addition, there are several excellent commercial heirloom seed suppliers.
One that deals with extensive Carolina plants is Woodlanders, 1128 Colleton
Ave., Aiken, SC  803/648-7522. This nursery also carries (for your general
information) rare and endangered plants that they propigate. Another very
good source is Select Seeds, 180 Stickney Road, Union, Connecticut 06070,
203/684-9310. There is also Monticello, Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic
Plants, PO Box 316, Charlottesville, VA 22902, 804/984-9822 (which also puts
out a great newsletter). Also, Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge
Village Road, Sturbridge, MA 01566  deals with a small (but very impressive)
line of heirloom plants.
 
A few other sources that might be of assistance includes the Catalog of
Landscape Records, Wave Hill, 675 W 252 St., Bronx, NY 10471, 212-549-3200
and the Smithsonian's Horticultre Services Division or the Horticulture
Branch Library of the Smithsonian Libraries. The number for the Archives of
American Gardens is 202/357-1926 and the number for the Horticulture Branch
Library is 202/357-1544.
 
Hope this helps.
 
Best,
 
Michael Trinkley, Ph.D.
Director
Chicora Foundation, Inc.
PO Box 8664
Columbia, SC  29202-8664
803/787-6910
Email: [log in to unmask]