Renowned historian and preservationist William Seale has authored a book to capture the extraordinary 100-year history of The Garden Club of America. More than just a collection of memories, the book is a stirring account of the contributions GCA has made to the political, historical and cultural fabric of our nation.
What is better than touring the Georgia O’Keeffe Show at the New York Botanical Garden? Going to the show on a beautiful fall day, and then having a personal culinary tour of the Little Italy of the Bronx, Arthur Avenue, afterwards!
An important part of the New Canaan Garden Club’s mission to stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening, is the work we do to beautify and serve our community. During the holiday season, these efforts are well-received and widely appreciated by many members of our New Canaan family. Here are several projects that we enthusiastically undertake each year:
Our Chew Crew left Irwin Park this morning, Tuesday, August 17th. During their regular site visit, our farmers saw that there was not enough vegetation left for the goats to eat. Since May, they have devoured our weeds daily.
John N. Irwin II who married Jane Watson (daughter of the founder of IBM) inherited the present house at 848 Weed Street in 1957. He was an Ambassador to France 1973/74. His children John Irwin III and Nancy Irwin were brought up at 848 Weed Street. John told us of all his happy memories growing up on the property. His mother Nancy Watson Irwin founded the perennial garden at the New York Botanical Garden. Hence his love of flowers and his wish for the club to keep Irwin park as beautiful open space for all to enjoy.
The Garden Club of New Canaan was established soon after Miss Alice Driggs burst into the living room of her friend, Mrs. George Frank, exclaiming “Louise, there ought to be a botany class or a garden club here in New Canaan!” With six other women they founded the Garden Club of New Canaan in 1909. It was the third garden club to be organized in the United States.
Click on the PDF file below to download Ellen’s terrific presentation on the History of Waveny Walled Garden.
Since 1960, NCGC has created the wreaths that decorate the town buildings for the holiday season. In 1976 we joined forces with the New Canaan Beautification League to hold a Holiday Greens Workshop where more than 60 members from the two clubs gather at the New Canaan Nature Center for a morning of decorating and good cheer. Next year will mark the 50th year of this collaboration.