HOUSTON FEDERATION OF GARDEN CLUBS
Houston Federation Garden Club History by year
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History of Houston Federation of Garden Clubs
1936 - 1937
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Mrs. B. E. Keyon (Frances)
Honorary President
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Progressive citizens are the backbone of progressive cities, Houston has long been known for its progressiveness and in the matter of gardening and the formation of garden clubs it has ranked as one of the foremost in the country,
In the spring of 1936 the Houston Federation of Women’s clubs, sponsored a city-wide Flower show, participated in by nearly all the garden clubs, at the city auditorium. It was met with overwhelming success, and here the idea of a garden federation was born. Mrs. Charles J. Koenig, General Chairman of the show came up with the idea. Mrs. B. E. Kenyon, Mrs. J.D. Motheral, Mrs. W. J. Bulmann, and Mrs. A.M. Downs decided to organize a Federation of garden clubs.
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On May 27, 1936, Mrs. Henry E. Trigg of Fort Worth, Regional Director of the South Central States of the National Council of Garden clubs, asked the question “Do you have a Federation of Garden Clubs in your city,” So the presidents of all the garden clubs of Houston would meet with her at the Houston Public Library. The response was good, and Federation started that day, with Mrs. B. e. Keyon (Frances) as temporary Chairman of the organization and Mrs. A.W. Downs and Mrs. Ralph Rupley as Vice Chairman and Temporary Secretary. This was primarily to get unified efforts of the Garden Clubs to found a Garden Center for Houston equal to the one in Ft. Worth.
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The next meeting was June 4th at the home of Mrs. Keyon after much discussion the presidents decided to organize and to hand in their objectives for the organization for the next meeting at the library. Clubs represented that day were Camellia, Campus, Garden club of Houston, Southside, River Oaks, Riverview, and Southmore. H.C. Hassler, garden club organizer of Humble Oil Company was present, and suggested a garden magazine to specifically take up gardening subjects in the Gulf Coastal area and suggested the name Gulf Coast Gardener.
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The following week (June 10) another meeting was held at the Houston Public Library. Clubs pledging cooperation in the organization were Denver, Campas, Norhill, Park Place, Riverview, Robert Browning, and Southmore Garden Club. The name of the organization Houston Federation of Garden Clubs was adopted. The objectives for this new organization were to 1). Monthly Garden Lectures; 20. A Garden Magazine for the Gulf Coast Area; and 30. A Garden Center for Houston.
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Another meeting was held on October 9, 1936, at the library. A talk was given by Mr. G Wademan was given about the Flower Show which would be held in November. Other decisions made were: that each garden club president and four regularly elected delegates of each club have voting privilege at the next meeting which was to be held October 23, 1936, at the library at 10 o’clock.
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The first meeting of Houston Federation of Garden Clubs was held October 23, 1936, at the Houston Public Library. An application for membership was received from LaPorte /Bayshore Garden Club. A letter was sent to the club saying that it would be held until their Constitution was perfected.
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. Mrs. Kenyon announced that she could not head the organization any longer and was made Honorary Life President. The following officers were elected- Mrs. Ralph Conselyea, President; Mrs. Ballard, First Vice President; Mrs. A. H. Downs, Second Vice President; Mrs. Ralph Graves, Third Vice President; Mrs. F. A. Hunter, Recording Secretary; Mrs. Jim Gunningham, Treasurer; Mrs. George Hill, was appointed Program Chairman, and Mrs. Allen Hannay, Chairman of the garden Center. Mrs. Henry E. Trigg was the first of a brilliant start of guest speakers, and her subject was “The Value of federation in Communities”. The following were the objectives of the new organization: Houston Garden Center, Junior Garden clubs, Road Beautification, elimination of hazards, interchange of club programs, exchange of plants and seeds, a monthly bulletin on Horticulture, and great speakers. Meetings would be the 3rd Friday of the month at the library starting at 10:00 am.
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On November 20, 1936, the organization was perfected, and club dues were voted to be $3.00 per year. Other objectives for the organization were added at this meeting They were as follows: 1). Garden Center; 2). Junior Garden Clubs; 3). Road Beautification; 4). Interchange of good Programs5), Exchange of plants and seeds; 6). Federation Purchasing Agent; 7). Establish a question-and-answer box; 8). Notification System by telephone and monthly bulletin which would grow into a magazine later; 9). Programs and good Speakers. Mrs. Kay Dupre was appointed Editor of the monthly magazine
“Gulf Coast Gardener” which was multigraphed by the Chamber of Commerce for the first few years. Mrs. F. A. Huwieler was club reporter, Mrs. Ralph Conselyea, Business Manager; Assistant Editors were Mesdames C.C. Ballard, F. A. Hunter, Mary Graves, and Stayton Nunn.
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December 18th another meeting was held again at the Public Library, and 4 more garden clubs joined. They gave an antique container to the Magnolia Garden Club for the most members in attendance (10). The Constitution and Bylaws were read for the first time, Mr. Teas of Teas Nursery gave the program om “Cultivation of Roses.”
In January 1937, the main vote was at what time of day was the meeting to be. Morning won and the time was 10:00 to 11:30 am. After the meeting, attendees went to lunch at the Junior League.
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By the February 19, 1937, meeting there were 14 clubs attending and the library was filled. It was the first time the “Gulf Coast Gardener” was distributed. It was announced that the State Federation of Garden Clubs would have their meeting in Weslacto. Also, the Cherry Blossom train trip would cost $110. A garden in River oaks would be open for visitation. Funds from these events would be used on the River Oaks School grounds. A new club called the Rose Society was started. Luncheon was held at the Houston Club with Campus Garden Club as hostess. They volunteered to have the State convention in Houston in 1938. In February 1937 the Houston Federation of Garden Clubs joined the State Federation of Garden Clubs, the membership consisted of twenty clubs, and ten individual members.
On March 19, 1937, the meeting was still held at the Public Library. At this meeting seven individual members joined. The garden train was promoted and was decided that this would be an annual event. The program this month was on “Garden Centers’.
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In April, Mrs. Coneslyea promoted the first in Houston Garden Train to Virginia and Washington, D. C. acting as hostess for 56 ladies. At this meeting a letter was presented saying that the grounds of the recreation Club House needed beautification and that a garden club could take this on as a project. Senator Albert Thomas sent a letter that he had a large quantity of interesting and instructive bulletins on flowers and would be glad to give to Federation. A lecture was announced to be given at Sindey Lanier High School about Natchez Mississippi, sponsored by Southern Garden club.
May14,1936, was the annual Business meeting. It was reported that they now had 20 clubs. The train trip funds went into the Federation Treasury amounted to $430 for the first real money. All clubs were given the constitution do look over during the summer Mrs. John Green and Mrs. H.H Pickard were elected First Vice President and Treasurer respectfully to succeed Mrs. Ballard and Mrs. Jim Cunningham whose resignations were regretfully accepted. Seven Clubs were present.
An Executive Meeting was held June 4, 1937, nine clubs attended a total of 23. It was suggested that the financial books be audited each year. Checks should have only one signature on them and the Second National Bank received a letter verifying this.
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In June on the 14th another meeting was held. It was decided that the Telephone Chairman would call the telephone Chairman of each club. it was also decided that they needed a Ways and Means Committee, a Parliamentarian and a quorum be added to the Bylaws.
1949-1950
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Mrs. J. L. Webb Theme: “Speak your message with Flowers” dues were (resigned due to illness 1950)
Announcements of all meetings and topics were printed in both (Houston Chronicle and Post) papers the Friday before.
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First program Floral Paintings
Had special lectures and the cost was $1.25 but you brought your own lunch
Had a book Club
Sold ads to pay for Directory still cost $1.00
Projects:
Held a welcome party for Club Presidents
Forget me not dive for the Disabled Veterans
Gave a Junior Garden Club gave a program on “Board and room for Birds” (14-year-olds)
They gave wreaths to Jeff Davis Hospital.
Donated a truck load of toys to “Goodfellows”
Easter Baskets to Arabian Crippled Children’s Hospital
Gave a scholarship to the Audubon Native Camp
Held a Style Show with 100 models ages 2-90 clothes went from Casual, square dancing to Formals and Weddings
Had a gift shop consisting of “White Elephants”
Held a game day
Gave Gladiolas to Houston Library
Gave $5.00 to U.N.I.C.E.F.
Gave 2 bookshelves to Disabled Vets.
Held their own convention giving awards for Scrapbooks and Yearbooks at their convention
Designed a Houston Federation Garden Center pin. Winner received a silver tray and was sold for $0.90
1950-1951
Mrs. E.G. Holm Theme: Cut the ribbon to the Memorial Arboretum and Gardens June 1950
Announcements of all meetings and topics were printed in both (Houston Chronicle and Post) papers the Friday before.
Projects:
Held a welcome party for Club Presidents
Garden Center wanted to open Kitchen wall and make steps to stage
Houston Beautification joined Houston Beautiful Committee and had all the garden clubs clean up their neighborhoods. Won a National Award for cleanest city in America.
Flowers for M.D. Anderson
Flowers for the Houston Library Reading Room
Sold Bulbs and plants monthly ($0.20)
Clinic on Christmas decorations
Sold the judging book
Held judging schools
Fashion Show with Fruits and Flowers on clothes held at Foley’s downtown
Houston International Home and Flower Show
Held a tea at the Shamrock Hotel
Toys for Goodfellows
Foley’s hosted judging on table design in their lunchroom
Flower Show Depicted “Colonial Williamsburg
HFGC Convention judging scrapbooks and yearbooks
Summer had an Interior decorator and Floral Artist to raise money for the Garden Center.
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1951-1952
Mrs. Sam Boyd (Helen) Theme: “Put the best into your tasks so that we may progress and build towards achievements of success that will endure.”
First to write a newsletter Announcements of all meetings and topics were printed in both (Houston Chronicle and Post) papers the Friday before.
Projects:
Garden center
Held a meeting for Club Presidents
Beautification of Houston
Memorial Arboretum and Garden
Flowers for M.D. Anderson Clinic, Houston Library Children’s Reading room and the Veteran’s Hospital
Beautification of Library Grounds
Audubon Society
Christmas Gifts to “Goodfellows”
Held a 2-day clinic for the community on gardening
Fashion Show at Foley’s
Christmas Bazaar
Participated in Home and Garden Show along with Houston Builders at which they expected 40,000 attendees
Foleys still had them design tables for their lunchroom
Held their convention giving awards for scrapbooks and yearbooks
1952-1953
Mrs. Sam Boyd (Helen) Theme: was the same
Moss Seed company donated 400 copies of their Flower Seed Planting manual that they sold
Sold the National Garden Club Calendars
Announcements of all meetings and topics were printed in both (Houston Chronicle and Post) papers the Friday before.
Went on a Pilgrimage by train for 8 days to visit Texas Gardens
Greenbriar Garden club donated drinking fountain to the Garden Center
Helped the Arabian Temple Cripple Hospital landscape their grounds. Clubs were to donate plants
Projects:
Garden center
Held a tea for Club Presidents at the Shamrock Hotel 275 attended
Beautification of Houston
Memorial Arboretum and Garden
Flowers for M.D. Anderson Clinic, Houston Library Children’s Reading room and the Veteran’s Hospital
Beautification of Library Grounds
Audubon Society
Christmas Gifts to “Goodfellows”
Held a 2-day clinic for the community on gardening
Fashion Show at Foley’s theme “Fruits of our Heart”
Christmas Bazaar
Participated in Home and Garden Show along with Houston Builders at which they expected 30,000 attendees. Theme “Springtime in France”
Had clubs design and enter “Easter Baskets”
Foleys still had them design tables for their lunchroom theme was “Indian Summer”
Held their convention giving awards for scrapbooks and yearbooks.
Sold Bulbs and Plants
Some Garden Club members rang bells at Christmas for the Salvation Army
1953-1954
Mrs. J.L. Clark (Jaunita) Theme: “Believe and succeed.”
Announcements of all meetings and topics were printed in both (Houston Chronicle and Post) papers the Friday before
Started a television program for HFGC. Clubs and Affiliates could participate with approval of HFGC
Held an Autum festival
Projects:
Garden center
Beautification of Houston
Memorial Arboretum and Garden
Flowers for M.D. Anderson Clinic, Jeff Davis Hospital and the Veteran’s Hospital
Gave corsages to women and boutonnieres to men at M.D. Anderson
Beautification of Library Grounds
Audubon Society
Christmas Gifts to “Goodfellows”
Held a 2-day clinic for the community on gardening
Fashion Show at Foley’s
Christmas Bazaar
Participated in Home and Garden Show along with Houston Builders at which they expected 20,000 attendees
Foleys still had them design tables for their lunchroom
Provided cookies and sandwiches to Elisa Jonson Home for Elderly Negroes
Held their convention giving awards for scrapbooks and yearbooks
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