The
Garden Workers Garden Club was founded in May 1930, with eight charter members
and Mrs. DeLa G. Rombach as founder and first president. Since its inception,
the club has taken an active part in both horticultural and conservation
projects along the Main Line, in the western suburbs of Philadelphia, and in
the City of Philadelphia.
From
1948 to 1958, the Club activities included replanting and maintaining the
gardens at Sweetbriar, one of the historic Fairmount Park houses.
The Club was
the first garden club to begin work in the local public schools and received
the 'Junior Activities Award' Eastern Division, in recognition of their work.
The Club also received $1,000 from the State of Pennsylvania for 'The Model
Mile' roadside project on Route 202, Paoli, PA. In addition, members helped
with planting dogwood trees in Valley Forge National Park, and holly trees in
public areas of Bryn Mawr.
Activities
in Greater Philadelphia included:
- Planning,
planting and maintaining a garden at the Home for Indigent Widows and Single
Women, (now Ralston House), 3615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.
- Researching
and planting a garden at the Cloisters at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
- Participating
in Philadelphia's Neighborhood Gardens project.
- Opening
their homes for Pennsylvania House and Garden Tours.
- Designing
a flower booth and selling at the Rittenhouse Flower Market
The
Garden Workers have exhibited at The Philadelphia Flower Show since 1942, and
have won numerous awards and ribbons. Classes entered include the Large Garden
Class, Rooms, Tables, Window Box, Balcony, Collections, and Container classes.
Individual entries in both the artistic classes and horticultural classes have
also won multiple ribbons.
The
Garden Workers became a member of The Garden Club of America (GCA) in 1969.
Today, members enjoy the enormous benefits of this national organization. Their
website (www. gcamerica.org) provides numerous links with information on
conservation, horticulture, and flower design.
Delegates
are chosen from The Garden Workers membership to attend the GCA Annual
meetings, as well as Zone, horticultural and conservation meetings.
