Mission & History
- To create, promote and further interest in horticulture, gardening, floral and landscape design, plant and birdlife, and
appreciation of the natural beauties of the State of California. - To encourage civic beautification and roadside development.
- To assist in projects for the conservation of our natural resources.
- To coordinate and centralize the work of the various California garden clubs and bring
them into a closer relation of mutual helpfulness.
January 1891 – The first garden club in America was founded by The Ladies Garden Club of Athens, Georgia.
May 1, 1929 – 13 federated states became charter members at an organizational meeting in Washington, D.C.
December 5, 1931 – CGCI organized
October 1932 – The first issue of Golden Gardens magazine was published.
May 1, 1929 – 13 federated states became charter members at an organizational meeting in Washington, D.C.
December 5, 1931 – CGCI organized
October 1932 – The first issue of Golden Gardens magazine was published.
- In 2009 an electronic version was offered as an option.
- In 2012 the last printed issue was published
- today Golden Gardens eNews is available at no charge via electronic distribution or the website.
December 5, 1932
– CGCI admitted to membership of National Council of State Garden Clubs (now National Garden Clubs, Inc.)
1935 – The National Council of State Garden Clubs (now National Garden Clubs, Inc.) established headquarters at Rockefeller Center in New York City. A permanent headquarters building in St. Louis was dedicated May 10, 1958.
- Today, NGC is a not-for-profit educational organization headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri USA, adjacent to the Missouri Botanical Gardens.
- It includes 50 state garden clubs and the National Capital Area, nearly 6,000 member garden clubs and over 190,000 members.
- Additionally, NGC has 70 national affiliated organizations within the United States and nearly 300 international affiliated organizations with locations ranging around the globe including: Canada, Mexico, South America, Bermuda, South Africa, Australia and Japan.
1936
– CGCI was ratified as a member of NGC and is proud to be the largest and one of the most active members of NGC and Pacific Region.
- CGCI started with eight (8) districts which included 23 charter member clubs.
- Of the original 23 charter members, six clubs remain active: Chico Horticultural Society, Fallbrook Garden Club, Redlands Horticultural & Improvement Society, San Pedro Garden Club, Southern California Garden Club and Vista Garden Club.
Today
– Since its inception, CGCI has been involved in many statewide projects including those currently active today.
- It is home to over 350 garden clubs, associate plant societies, affiliates and youth clubs/projects with 21,000+ individual members
- In addition to its website it has a Facebook page, publishes a Yearbook, Manual & Roster, Golden Gardens eNews (with over 2500 subscribers) and distributes WACONIAH (official publication of Pacific Region) and Keeping in Touch (on behalf of NGC).
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A Walk Through History: A look at the many activities and accomplishments of this vibrant and evolving organization through the highlights of each president s term.
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The Diamond Years: CGCI from 1931 through its 75th anniversary in 2006.
Presidential Highlights
*indicates deceased
| 1931-35 1935-37 1937-39 1939-40 1940-43 1943-44 1944-45 1945-47 1947-49 1949-51 1951-53 1953-54 1954-56 1956-58 1958-60 1960-62 1962-64 1964-66 1966-68 1968-70 1970-72 1972-74 1974-76 1976-78 1978-80 1980-82 1982-84 1984-85 1985-87 1987-89 1989-91 1991-93 1993-95 1995-97 1997-99 1999-01 2001-03 2003-05 2005-07 2007-09 2009-11 2011-13 2013-15 2015-17 2017-19 2019-21 2021-23 |
*Mrs. Leonard B. Slosson (founder) *Mrs. Richard W. Kirkley *Mrs. S.A. Guiberson *Mrs. Z.E. Page *Mrs. Frederick N. Scatena *Mrs. E.B. Wyman *Charles Gibbs Adams *Mrs. Walter G. Brendel *Mrs. William D. Shearer *Mrs. John O. England *Mrs. J.E. Harton *Mrs. Weston Walker *Mrs. J.J. Gallagher *Mrs. C.C. Henry (Blair) *Mrs. Harry F. Hunter *Mrs. Charles P. Scott *Mrs. Henry T. Read *Mrs. Lawrence A. Winship *Mrs. Vincent T. Gilchrist *Mrs. Milton R. Bell *Mrs. Henry Dolezal *Mrs. John N. Fehrer *Mrs. Wallace F. Hirsch *Mrs. Eugene Woesner *Mrs. Robert E. Busher *Mrs. Georg W. Daiber *Mrs. Wil J. Tebo *Mrs. W. V. Hughes (Clark) *Mrs. R. Nelson Nicholson *Mrs. Roy F. Hedtke *Mrs. Allan Nielsen *Mary Lou (VanDeventer) Goodwin *Mrs. Edwin R. Gould *Mrs. Robert Northon Mrs. Robert Brune *Mrs. Cyrus Roton *Virginia DeLong Bennetts Robert L. Gordon Elisabeth A. Tufo Robin Pokorski *Maryanne Lucas Julie A. West Rita Desilets Susan C. Bennett Krystal Migliore *Charlene “Shane” Looper Lynne Batchelor |
