Garden & Gun: Celebrating the Culture and Heritage of the American South
Garden & Gun is a premier national magazine dedicated to the rich tapestry of the Southern United States. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, the publication serves as a curated window into the region's unique culture, food, music, art, and literature. By highlighting the people and ideas that shape the South, the magazine blends tradition with contemporary perspectives.
Beyond the printed page, the brand has expanded into a multi-platform lifestyle entity. Under the ownership of the Allée Group, it now encompasses the Whole Hog podcast, the Fieldshop retail store, the Garden & Gun Club restaurant, and a robust calendar of approximately 75 annual events.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Founded: 2007 by Pierre Manigault, John Wilson, and Rebecca Wesson Darwin.
- Headquarters: Charleston, South Carolina.
- Ownership: Allée Group LLC (since 2013).
- Frequency: Bimonthly.
- Core Focus: Southern culture, land conservation, and craftsmanship.
- Major Recognition: Multiple National Magazine Awards (2011, 2014, 2015).
The Evolution of a Southern Icon
The concept for the magazine was first conceived in 2004 by John Wilson and Pierre Manigault, the chairman of Evening Post Publishing. It officially launched in 2007 with Wilson as editor in chief and Rebecca Wesson Darwin as publisher. The publication made an immediate impact, winning three ADDY Awards and eight GAMMA awards from the Magazine Association of the Southeast in its inaugural year.
The magazine's ownership transitioned in 2009 when Evening Post Publishing sold the title to Indigo Acquisition LLC, a company formed by Darwin and Manigault. At that time, circulation stood at 223,000. Following a series of corporate restructuring steps, including a period as Garden and Gun LLC, the magazine became part of the Allée Group in 2013.
Editorial Leadership
The magazine's editorial direction has been shaped by several key figures. Following the founding editor John Wilson, Sid Evans took over as editor in chief in 2008. In the fall of 2011, David DiBenedetto assumed the role of editor.
Content and Philosophy
The name "Garden & Gun" serves as both a metaphor for the South's land, people, and heritage, and an inside reference to a popular 1970s Charleston disco known as the Garden and Gun Club. This duality reflects the magazine's broad scope, which covers everything from skeet-shooting (a form of clay target shooting) and land conservation to fine art and gardening.
The publication is known for its high-caliber contributors. It has featured works from renowned writers and figures such as Pat Conroy, Donna Tartt, Rick Bragg, and John T. Edge. Notably, it published one of the final written pieces by cartoonist and novelist Doug Marlette.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Celebrating Southern Craftsmanship
Since 2010, the magazine has hosted the annual Made in the South Awards. This initiative is designed to recognize and encourage the best Southern-made products across six distinct categories: Food, Drink, Home, Style, Crafts, and Outdoors. The best-in-show winner is awarded $10,000, and all winners and runners-up are highlighted in the December/January issue.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| ISSN | 1938-4831 |
| OCLC | 141187719 |
| Publisher | Christian Bryant |
| Current Editor | David DiBenedetto |
| Website | www.gardenandgun.com |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Garden & Gun represent?
The name is a metaphor for the South's lifestyle, land, and heritage. It is also an inside reference to a 1970s disco in Charleston called the Garden and Gun Club.
Who currently owns the magazine?
The magazine is currently owned by the Allée Group LLC.
What are the Made in the South Awards?
These are annual awards that celebrate Southern craftsmanship in six categories: Food, Drink, Home, Style, Crafts, and Outdoors, with a $10,000 prize for the best-in-show winner.
Where is Garden & Gun based?
The magazine is based in Charleston, South Carolina.
What other ventures does the company operate?
In addition to the magazine, the company produces the Whole Hog podcast, operates the Fieldshop retail store and the Garden & Gun Club restaurant, and hosts about 75 events annually.