History
of The Garden Club Of New Rochelle

A group of thirty women who wanted to be of service to the city of New Rochelle gathered at the home of Mrs. Henry D. Noyes on October 20, 1911 to form a Garden Club. By November 11, 1911, they defined their goals and adopted a constitution which embodies the essential part of our current Mission Statement. During these past 100+ years, the GCNR can be proud of many accomplishments. Listed below are a few highlights:

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• During World War I, Club Members supervised War Gardens Throughout the city that supplied Fort Slocum Hospital with vegetables and flowers.

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• In 1923 The Club formed a Tree Group and became active in saving trees around the city.

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• Charter Membership of the Federated Garden Clubs of New York State was established in 1924 and the french marigold was adopted as the Club’s emblem.

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• In 1925 the Club participated in the yearly International Flower Shows hosted in New York and won many prizes. A Junior Group of member’s children was formed.

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• The cherry trees that adorn Huguenot Lake in front of the NRHS are the remainder of the 100 Japanese cherry trees planted by the club in the 1930’s.

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• The coveted Red and Green Rosette Award was presented to the GCNR, Inc. for its excellent Christmas Flower Show circa 1960 by the National Council of Garden Clubs.

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• In the 1960’s, the Club’s city beautification efforts were continued with a Gas Station Beautification Contest sponsored by the Club’s Civic Improvement committee.

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• During the 1970’s the Club assumed responsibility for the Shakespeare Garden in Davenport park, a historic garden originally planted by the Avon Bard Society in 1937.

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• New Rochelle’s Daffodil Festival of 2007 was celebrated by planting thousands of daffodil bulbs most notably bordering the walkway at city Hall. Other recipient gardens were: The Shakespeare Garden, the Huguenot Children’s Library, The Doyle Senior Center and at Memorials throughout the city.

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• In 2008 Club Members mentored a volunteer group interested in starting a community garden. In 2009 The Ward Acres Community Garden was established with garden plots available for interested New Rochelle residents.

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• 2011 was our 100 year anniversary which was celebrated with a Garden Tour that included the gardens and interior of a century old home. 2011 was also the year in which club members worked with local veteran groups to restore the World War II Marine Memorial on North Avenue by planting dogwood trees and a Montgomery Spruce in memory of our veterans.

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• Our most current achievement; In 2026 the club received a grant from "Plant America" to fund the creation of a Native Plant and Butterfly Garden at the Children's Pavillion in The New Rochelle Public Library.​​

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The Garden Club of New Rochelle, Inc. is very proud of its long history and traditions. Club members still serve and enjoy shared refreshments before or after meetings much like our founders did more than 100 years ago. In Keeping with the Mission Statement enacted at the Club’s inception, the Club provides regular educational programs to increase members’ knowledge of all aspects of gardening, conservation and skill in the art of arranging plant material. Civic beautification is still encouraged and remains a main interest. These programs are free and open to the public. The Garden Club of New Rochelle, while attentive to considering new ways to be of value and service to the people of our community, is committed to making New Rochelle an even more beautiful place to live in.