About OUR CLUB
The Georgetown Garden Club (GGC) was organized in 1940 by two women who recognized the need for a club within the community. First meetings were round-table discussions in members' backyards. Later officers were elected and regular meetings were held. In 1944 the club was federated with Texas Garden Clubs, Inc. Members were dedicated to establishing a place of beauty at their homes and in the community. Civic-minded women were dedicated to beautifying Georgetown and the surrounding areas. Members planted wildflowers on highways, Flanders red poppies on roadsides and many crape myrtle trees in Georgetown and the entrance roads into town. One hundred trees were donated to the City of Georgetown for planting in the park in 1950. Landscaping projects beautified the jail, courthouse, museum, senior citizens centers, churches ad other places.
The Club established the San Gabriel Sunken Garden in 1967 in San Gabriel Municipal Park. For many years, the eight-acre ellipse around the sunken garden became the club's project as well. Many fundraisers were needed to implement the garden. One of them was the printing of a cookbook in 1972. It had its second printing in 1982. Participation in Wesley Fest earned the bulk of funds to continue in partnership with the City of Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department. The 14 raised beds within the sunken garden are planted regularly. Members spend many hours weeding, planting and pruning to maintain the garden. In 2005 improvements were made to the sunken garden by the Parks and Recreation with the GGC assisting with the funding. These included an automated sprinkler system and new mulched beds around the perimeter above the sunken garden to help prevent weeks and grass from germinating and falling into the sunken garden beds. The sunken garden continues to be the club's major civic project. The club works closely with the Parks and Recreation Department to continue improvements. The sunken garden can be reserved the the City of Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department and is often used for weddings, birthdays, and other events.
Arbor Day programs have been held annually by the club since 1969 (with the exception of 2020 and 2021 due to COVID), when seven trees were planted in the park in memory of Georgetown casualties in the Vietnam War. Money is donated by the club to the City of Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department annually for tree planting in the City. A memorial honoring members and their spouses is held during the Arbor Day celebration. The Arbor Day ceremony includes a color guard presentation, an Arbor Day proclamation by the Mayor, school children singing, and tributes to the deceased members and spouses. The Arbor Day ceremony is held in conjunction with the club's annual flower show and both are open to the public and free of charge.
The first flower show was held by the club in April 1945, with 24 members participating. Flower shows have been held almost annually since that time except during COVID. The flower show is now held in conjunction with the Arbor Day celebration and a luncheon. The show is open to the public and free of charge.
In 2003, the GGC began selling plants at the Red Poppy Festival on the Square in Georgetown. This continues to be the biggest fundraiser for the club. Poppy Fest attendees now look for the GGC plant booth to purchase herbs, vegetables, annuals and succulents at reasonable prices for their spring plantings.
The Club established the San Gabriel Sunken Garden in 1967 in San Gabriel Municipal Park. For many years, the eight-acre ellipse around the sunken garden became the club's project as well. Many fundraisers were needed to implement the garden. One of them was the printing of a cookbook in 1972. It had its second printing in 1982. Participation in Wesley Fest earned the bulk of funds to continue in partnership with the City of Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department. The 14 raised beds within the sunken garden are planted regularly. Members spend many hours weeding, planting and pruning to maintain the garden. In 2005 improvements were made to the sunken garden by the Parks and Recreation with the GGC assisting with the funding. These included an automated sprinkler system and new mulched beds around the perimeter above the sunken garden to help prevent weeks and grass from germinating and falling into the sunken garden beds. The sunken garden continues to be the club's major civic project. The club works closely with the Parks and Recreation Department to continue improvements. The sunken garden can be reserved the the City of Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department and is often used for weddings, birthdays, and other events.
Arbor Day programs have been held annually by the club since 1969 (with the exception of 2020 and 2021 due to COVID), when seven trees were planted in the park in memory of Georgetown casualties in the Vietnam War. Money is donated by the club to the City of Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department annually for tree planting in the City. A memorial honoring members and their spouses is held during the Arbor Day celebration. The Arbor Day ceremony includes a color guard presentation, an Arbor Day proclamation by the Mayor, school children singing, and tributes to the deceased members and spouses. The Arbor Day ceremony is held in conjunction with the club's annual flower show and both are open to the public and free of charge.
The first flower show was held by the club in April 1945, with 24 members participating. Flower shows have been held almost annually since that time except during COVID. The flower show is now held in conjunction with the Arbor Day celebration and a luncheon. The show is open to the public and free of charge.
In 2003, the GGC began selling plants at the Red Poppy Festival on the Square in Georgetown. This continues to be the biggest fundraiser for the club. Poppy Fest attendees now look for the GGC plant booth to purchase herbs, vegetables, annuals and succulents at reasonable prices for their spring plantings.
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