• Sections
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Bridal
    • Community
    • Education
    • Fashion
    • Food & Drink
    • Health & Wellness
    • Home & Garden
    • MVMA
    • Perspectives
    • Travel
  • Shop Local
    • Arts & Culture
    • Bridal
    • Community
    • Dining & Cuisine
    • Education
    • Entertainment
    • Fashion
    • Financial & Professional Services
    • Florists, Gift & Specialty Shops
    • Health & Wellness
    • Home & Garden
    • Real Estate
  • Calendar
  • Dining Guide
  • Advertise
  • Login

Merrimack Valley Magazine

  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Community
  • Education
  • Fashion
  • Food & Drink
  • Health & Wellness
  • Home & Garden
  • Perspectives
  • Travel
← Back

100 Years of Horticulture: North Andover Garden Club Celebrates its Centennial

Jaden Mendola
Published August 3, 2020
Share:

For 100 years, the North Andover Garden Club has been dedicated to encouraging interest and active participation in civic beautification, horticulture, flower arranging and conservation.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, interest in the art of horticulture swept across the nation. Many organizations, such as the local North Andover Improvement Society (1893), focused on the beautification of public gardens and buildings. The genesis for the North Andover Garden club began in the midst of this intrigue with Mrs. Lewis S. Bigelow, who was a member of the Garden Club of America. Residing in North Andover during the spring and summer months, her interest in starting a club became a reality when she called a meeting at her home on August 5, 1920, where she was chosen as the first club president. 

As the club developed, members became more accustomed to getting their hands dirty, and garden activities became more hands-on. The club has been responsible for the design and maintenance of garden beds at police and fire stations and public schools. There have been annual tree plantings on Arbor Day. Two-thousand were planted at the NA Middle School. Volunteers spent countless hours planting, weeding and pruning at landmarks such as Stevens Memorial Library, Patriots Park, Parson Barnard Historic House, and the Stevens-Coolidge Place.

 

In 1984, the club hosted its first annual Plant Sale, which draws customers from throughout the Merrimack Valley. Proceeds from the sales are distributed in numerous ways. Funds are used for conducting garden therapy workshops at local senior center facilities, decorating holiday wreaths for town buildings, providing a $1500 scholarship to a North Andover High School graduate, and the sponsoring of lectures on horticulture-related topics. Even during the COVID-19 crisis, the club managed to have a successful plant sale in June, raising over $1,000.

“Having been a member for half the club’s existence, participating in and observing the evolution of the club, it is to the credit of the strong women who have led and worked to make the club the vibrant group it is today,” says club historian Harriett Osgood. “I have every confidence that the club will continue to nurture gardens and friendships for the next 100 years.”

Share:
Related Articles
12 Days of Holiday Gift Guide – Day 7!
The Backyard Naturalist – BEHOLD!
Apple Days – A Merrimack Valley Apple Pie Tour
The Backyard Naturalist – Pulling Bittersweet

Current Issue

Who We Are

mvm is the region’s premier source of information about regional arts, culture and entertainment; food, dining and drink; community happenings, history and the people who live, work, play and make our area great.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Sections

  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Bridal
  • Community
  • Education
  • Fashion
  • Food & Drink
  • Health & Wellness
  • Home & Garden
  • MVMA
  • Perspectives
  • Travel

Links

  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Regular Contributors
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Contact

© Copyright 2021 Merrimack Valley Media Group Inc. All rights reserved.

Orangetheory Fitness Chelmsford @DrumHill / (978) 577-5901

Orangetheory Fitness Methuen @The Loop / (978) 620-5850

Orangetheory Fitness Chelmsford @DrumHill / (978) 577-5901

Orangetheory Fitness Methuen @The Loop / (978) 620-5850

*Valid on new memberships during the month of September 2020.

 

Newsletter Signup

MERRIMACK VALLEY TODAY: Noteworthy. Local. News. (Launching May 2021)
Wellness Wednesdays
Eight Great Things To Do This Weekend (Thursdays)
NoteWorthy - Happenings, Movers & Shakers (Sundays)

Orangetheory Methuen is celebrating it’s one year anniversary with an
Open House, Saturday June 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Join your friends and neighbors to learn more about the fastest growing workout sensation in the nation. Tour the studio. Meet the coaches. Enter to win a 10 pack of classes. The first 20 people who sign up for a free class at the event will receive a free bonus class, no obligation. 

Click here to learn more! 

Click here to schedule your FREE CLASS in Chelmsford @DrumHill / (978) 577-5901
Click here to schedule your FREE CLASS in Methuen @The Loop / (978) 620-5850

*Free Class for first-time visitors and local residents only.