America's First Garden Club
Athens, Clarke County, Georgia
Marker Inscription
America's First Garden Club. In 1891 at this site, the Ladies Garden Club was founded by twelve Athens ladies in the home of Mrs. E.K. Lumpkin. Mrs. Lamar Cobb was the first president. Beginning as a small neighborhood group, the club extended membership to all Athens ladies interested in gardening in 1892. In the spring of 1892 the group presented its first flower and vegetable exhibition. By 1894 a set of standards, similar to those of today, had been drawn up to make the shows as professional as possible. In 1936 the National Council of State Garden Clubs recognized the Ladies Garden Club as America's first garden club. 029-9 GEORGIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 1968
Erected by Georgia Historical Commission
The Story
In 1891 twelve Athens women gathered in the home of Mrs. E.K. Lumpkin and founded the Ladies Garden Club, with Mrs. Lamar Cobb as its first president. What began as a small neighborhood group opened to all interested Athens women, mounted its first flower and vegetable exhibition in 1892, and drew up professional show standards by 1894. In 1936 the National Council of State Garden Clubs recognized it as America's first garden club.
Why it matters
The club marks the beginning of an organized garden-club movement through which American women shaped horticulture, conservation, and civic beautification nationwide.
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Related people
- · Mrs. E.K. Lumpkin
- · Mrs. Lamar Cobb
Related events
- · Founding of the Ladies Garden Club, 1891
Themes & tags
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