In 1929, Lucy Morton Hudgins began her garden when she and her husband built their second home in Chase City on 1.24 acres of land that she had purchased.  Inspired by her Scottish roots, she named the home “MacCallum More,” meaning Great Son of Callum. The head of the Campbell Clan is known as the MacCallum More.  Her younger son, William, known as “Billy” added to her garden and then transformed it during the 1970s and 1980s into a serene retreat of six acres of garden rooms.

Commander William Hudgins, as a tribute to his mother, expanded the gardens from the original 1.24 acres purchased by his mother to the six acres of garden rooms that is the cultural masterpiece it is today  During his travels as an Aide to President Eisenhower and Senior Aide to Admiral Robert B. Carney, he collected artifacts, sculptures, and designs from around the world. These treasures were carefully integrated into the gardens, creating its unique, and somewhat quirky, charm.

Over the decades, MMMG has grown into a beloved cultural and natural landmark. Key milestones include:

• 1927: Lucy Morton Hudgins purchases the original 1.24 acres & begins her garden.
• 1950s: Billy Hudgins expands the gardens through purchases of surrounding property.
• 1971:The lot on which the museum was eventually built was purchased. 
• 1983-1996: Construction and grand opening of the MacCallum More Museum.
• 2009-2010: The MacCallum and Hudgins (Rutledge) House Historic District was placed on the Virginia Landmarks Register in 2009, and on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.
• Today: The museum and gardens serve as a hub for education, history, and cultural enrichment.