Home: Our History/Our Goal

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The Portsmouth Garden Club

Portsmouth, Rhode Island

Photo taken at the 2009 75th Anniversary of the Portsmouth Garden Club
Photo taken at the 2009 75th Anniversary of the Portsmouth Garden Club

"The first garden club in America was
founded in January 1891 by The Ladies
Garden Club of Athens (Georgia).  On
May 1, 1929 thirteen federated states
became charter members at an organizational meeting in Washington, D.C.  
Excerpt taken from the National Garden Clubs Website(http://www.gardenclub.org/
About/AboutNGC.aspx
)."

Five (5) years after the thirteen federated states became charter members, the Portsmouth Garden Club was organized and became a member of the Rhode Island Federation of Garden Clubs organization. According to a local newspaper article (Newspaper is unknown), the following was reported:

“June 1934, Portsmouth. Women Organize Garden Club at Meeting Held at Glen Farm. On Monday afternoon a group of ladies met at the home of Mrs. Borden Anthony at Glen Farm to hear Mrs. Hamilton Fish Webster of Newport speak on the forming of a Garden Club in Portsmouth. After Mrs. Webster’s talk the ladies voted to organize the Portsmouth Garden Club and elected officers for the coming year, as follow: President: Mrs. Borden C. Anthony; Vice Presidents: Mrs. Norman Hall, Mrs. Peter Malone and Mrs. Arthur Smith; Secretary: Mrs. Alexander Boone; Treasurer: Miss Evelyn Chase; Librarian: Mrs. Jacob Menzi.The women attending were Mrs. Norman Hall, Mrs. Charles Clarke, Mrs. John Hargraves, Mrs. Alexander Boone, Mrs. Benjamin Barker, Miss Evelyn Chase, Mrs. Peter Malone, Mrs. Kenney, Mrs. Jacob Menzi, Mrs. Andrew Malone, Mrs. Arthur Smith and Mrs. Borden Anthony. The next meeting will be held on June 13 at the home of Mrs. Norman Hall, when Mrs. Hall’s gardens will be inspected and talks on the raising of flowers will be given.

In 1934, there were 13 Members and of the 13 Members, there were 7 Officers. As of September 2015, The Portsmouth Garden Club now has 39 Members and 11 Honorary Members and today, our officers consist of President, Vice President, Second Vice President, Recording Secretary, Correspondence Secretary, Treasurer, and Ex-Officio.  See Officers and Committee Members.

Our Goal

Our goal is to promote the love of gardening, floral and landscape design, and demonstrate civic and environmental responsibility by example.

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Meetings are held monthly at the Library for club members and guests. _________________

September 13, 2023

12:30 Portsmouth Free Public Library

 

Welcome back members !

Fellowship and meeting

 

Roberta Stevens; Look around: A sit down walking tour of the club contribution of landscaoing to the Portsmouth Free Public Library for 125 years.

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October 11, 2023

12:30 Portsmouth Free Public Library

 

Presenter: Linda Kirkpatrick, Holly  Mackenzie and Susan Ballard

 

Plant propagation nad splitting perennials

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November 7, 2023

12:30 Portsmouth Free Public Library

 

Presenter: Marie Brennan-Chasin

 

Chair Yoga tecniques for gardeners

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November 17, 2024

 

7-9 p.m  Portsmouth Free Public Library 

 

Annual Taste of Portsmouth


$ for tickets

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December 2023

Christmas Luncheon
TBA

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January 10, 2024

12:30 Portsmouth Free Public Library

Presenter: Linda Kirkpatrick

 

Floral design Demonstration

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February 12, 2024

12:30 Portsmouth Free Public Library

 

Presenter: Deb Mack

 

Glass garden art demonstration

March 13, 2024

 

12:30 Presnters: Roberta Stevens, Moderator; Annette Jarvis, Rocelle, Kieron, Mim Maurer and Pam Barry. 

 

90 th anniversary of the club ; Roundtable of the club's longest serving memebrs recall 

our memeorable service projects.

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April 10, 2024

12:30 Portsmouth free Public Library

 

Presenters:Linda Howard and Mary DiBara

Spring table centerpiece with potted plants

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April 22,2024

Earth Day

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April  26, 2024

Arbor Day

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May 8, 2024
Portsmouth Free Public Library


Presenter: Karen Saucier

 

Raising Monarch Butterflies

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June 2024

Annual luncheon

TBA

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June 21-24, 2024

After taking “The Grand Tour” to Marble House , The Newport Flower Show will return to Rosecliff with the theme “At Home".

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