Salem Garden Club
From Salem Links and Lore
- Salem Garden Club was organized in January, 1928 and joined the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts the following year. It's been a very active club from the beginning.
- One of its first projects in the 1930's was the rebuilding of the garden at the Brookhouse Home on Derby Street. The present-day Garden Club again maintains this historic garden and recently renovated the garden to make better access for the residents.
- The club also sponsored garden contests for children who participated in the summer playground program.
- Beginning in 1929, the Salem Garden Club began participating in the Flower Show in Boston. In 1938, the group also held its own horticultural show at Hamilton Hall and sponsored garden tours in Salem over the years as well.
- In 1946, the Club published a delightful history of gardens in Salem, called Old Salem Gardens, a 71 page booklet written by Mable C.H. Pollack. It grew out of a number of papers given by club members and included brief articles about historic gardens as well as personal reminiscences. Two gardens that are highlighted in the booklet are the Manning Garden in north Salem and the Chase Garden in South Salem.
- In the 1970's and 80's some of the planting and beautification projects done by the club were at Lappin Park in Townhouse Square, Winter Island, The Salem Common and the Shaughnessey Hospital as well as traffic islands in the city's downtown area.
- Around 1980, the Club began a tradition of participating in the annual "Christmas in Salem" house tour and they also decorated a rooms in the House of Seven Gables for the Christmas season.
- The club celebrated its 90th year with a tea and social at First Church in Salem on May 20th, 2018.
- In 2024, the club still contributes to many civic projects in Salem. They plant the Washington Street Urns, plant and maintain the City Hall Window boxes, monthly flower arrangements at Salem Public Library and create cornstalk bows for Haunted Happenings each fall.
See Also
- Vertical File in Salem Collection - Salem Garden Club
- Salem Garden Club website
- Old Salem Gardens by the Salem Garden Club, reprinted 2001, c1946.
- Old Salem Gardens by the Salem Garden Club, 1946 ed.
