The meetings are attended by people who all seem to possess a wealth of knowledge about gardening and I enjoy learning from the seasoned gardeners. In addition, I have made numerous acquaintances through volunteering at the club.
In April every year, April 22 and 23 this year, the club hosts their fundraising event by selling plants. The plants I purchased in 2015 grew quite successfully in my little garden. It was very satisfying seeing the one tomato plant I purchased provide fruit all summer and fall. I cannot wait to see how the flowering plants do this spring. Visit the website at www.norcrossgardenclub.org for more information about becoming a member, attending meetings, volunteering opportunities, renting the clubhouse, or just to meet new people.
Here’s a little information about the club and its history. On behalf of the club, come on by and meet us…we’d love to meet you.
The College Street location has served as a community gathering place for some 100 years. In the early 1900’s a building formerly located on Autry Street was moved to this site, drawn by a pair of oxen. The building had served as the office of Dr. W.P. Walker, a general practitioner. The house had one room with a small addition, speculated to have housed supplies. There was a porch on one side and inside, benches lined the long walls. A big heater stood in the center of the room and there was no bathroom.
Soon after the building was moved it became a studio for Miss Ida Wooten. Miss Ida was a generous woman, a talented pianist, guitarist and vocalist. She shared her talents with the community and taught hundreds of students. In 1930 a new clubhouse was built by the Civic Improvement Club. It remains a question as to whether the building was totally rebuilt then or renovated by adding a kitchen, bathroom and fireplace. It continued to serve as Miss Wooten’s studio as well as a meeting place for the local Boy Scout troop and other civic organizations.
Since 1958 when the Norcross Garden Club was founded, its members have had the privilege of meeting in the clubhouse located at 33 College Street in historic Norcross. In 1958 the Norcross Civic Improvement Club gifted the property by means of a quit-claim deed and $1 to the garden club. With that gift came the responsibility to maintain and improve the property as needs dictate.
In 1984 the first renovation of the clubhouse included installation of vinyl siding over old wood siding. During the summer of 2013, all the old siding was removed and replaced with Hardie Plank. The house and shed were painted a bright, cheerful yellow with white trim and dark green doors. At this time electrical upgrades were done. New light fixtures now provide better illumination and also enhance the décor.
Ongoing maintenance and improvement projects for both the building and the grounds are supported by club fundraising events and ongoing volunteer efforts such as garden and housecleaning workdays.
The clubhouse is available for rental too but limited by the fire marshal to 48 people. Contact us if you are interested. It’s a great place for baby or wedding showers, birthday parties, meetings, etc.
The Norcross Garden Club meets at the garden clubhouse. We have two groups, “day” and “evening” from the months of September to May.
The day group meets on the 2nd Monday of the month at 9:45 am. The evening group meets on the 3rd Thursday at 7 pm. Hostesses for these meetings provide a snack or dessert and beverages. Each meeting features a garden or community-related program/speaker followed by a business meeting. Club members may attend one or both meetings. There may be a field trip or informal gathering at one of the member’s home and garden during summer months.
Membership dues are $35 annually and include membership to the Garden Club of Georgia and a subscription to Garden Gateways, the Garden Club of Georgia quarterly publication.
To ensure we have enough seating, please send us a note letting us know you’d like to attend: norcrossgardenclub@gmail.com
