OUR CLUB'S HISTORY / ABOUT US

1931 ~ 2024

Our club was organized June 4, 1931 by ladies who were members of the Garden Department of Des Plaines. In 1932 there were 21 members. In the same year we became affiliated with the Garden Clubs of Illinois, Inc.

Club members have participated in exhibiting both in the Design and in the Horticulture Divisions at flower shows throughout the area. We are still involved in Civic projects: designing gardens, planting trees and plants, and maintaining garden areas throughout Des Plaines. We assist the residents at a local nursing home as they make floral arrangements, and put on programs for Arbor Day.

Our club has won many ribbons and awards; among others, The Theodor A. Krause, St. Memorial Award and the Beautify Des Plaines Super Star, presented to the Garden Club by the Mayor of Des Plaines. Members have been honored for outstanding service in the Book of Honor and deceased members have been included in the Book of Remembrance.

Over the years, members have participated in our programs, workshops, plant exchanges, horticulture information, environment reports, and floral arrangement demonstrations. Many tours have been taken to arboretums, members’ gardens, gardens in other communities, and various venues of interest to our members.

Our Garden Club is 91 years old, and currently has over 120 members, and continues to grow.

Thanks to all for joining our zoom meetings at the start of the year, we even had some of our out-of-state members join us.

We even created and launched a new Des Plaines IL Garden Club website to keep all our members in touch during the pandemic.
From March to May, The Des Plaines History Center gave us their exclusive display space for our 90th-year display to showcase our 90 years of activity in Des Plaines.
In May, we had our very successful PLANT Sale in the parking lot of the Frisbie Center in Des Plaines, IL ~ and our Des Plaines Garden Club presented a wreath to honor our veterans on Memorial Day.
June was our actual anniversary, so we celebrated our 90th Anniversary Luncheon, The members dressed for the occasion in their finest 1931 style apparel. where everyone wore beautiful hats to honor our founding group of ladies. ~ The Mayor of Des Plaines proclaimed June 2021 as Des Plaines Garden Club month and gave us a proclamation.
This past spring we added a new Community Garden at the Self Help Pantry. The two large planters by the front door, which were spectacular.
In July we had our Garden Walk ~ Thanks to Marylyn Wouda, Rich, and Lana Gernady, Louise Martorano, and Ray, and Karen Holich for opening their gardens for our enjoyment. ~ We also visited Catherine Timmins Gardens.
September was the Fall Fest at the Lake Park. ~ Where we worked with the park district and the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce in their information booth. To have a children's craft to make hanging bird feeders out of Cheerios.
November brought our Annual Fall Fundraiser ~ Each table had a beautiful vintage centerpiece, each member received a handmade bookmark, and special 90th-anniversary cookies were at each place. The meal was great, Kim Hartmann presented a great holiday floral program, the raffle baskets were a success, and everyone had a great time. We were honored by the State of Illinois honoring our 90th anniversary. State Senator, Laura Murphy was in attendance to present the proclamation.

OUR CLUB'S HISTORY / ABOUT US

1931 ~ 2024

Our 2021 Des Plaines Garden Club 90th Anniversary year in review...

90TH YEAR CELEBRATION DECLARATIONS