Westwood Garden Club: Established in 1929

In the 1920’s, the “Better Homes Movement” swept the nation in a campaign of home ownership, modernization, and beautification. By 1928, as Westwood neighbors improved and beautified their homes, Mrs. Edwin Dodge suggested, “If better homes, why not better gardens!” In 1929, Mrs. Dodge and 39 other women embraced this challenge and formed the Westwood Garden Club.

The original by-laws of the Club stated: “The Purpose of the Club shall be to encourage and assist members in the care of their gardens, to promote the exchange of information and ideas in regard to gardening and to further the knowledge of horticulture, to aid in the protection of native trees, plants and birds, and to develop a spirit that shall lead to the improvement of grounds and gardens of our community.” Later the statement was amended to add “and to be responsible stewards of the environment ….” This vision has guided the Westwood Garden Club since 1929, and will carry us well into the future.

Early Club meetings were informal and annual dues were just 50 cents! Meetings were held in private homes, the former Temple Beth David (now a park), and the historic Colburn School (circa 1876, now occupied by Chase Bank).  Prospective new members were invited to join the Club after a formal visit by the executive board and approval of the applicant’s garden.

After the Great Depression and World War II, the Club adopted more formal etiquette, serving tea and coffee from an elegant “Silver Service” at the monthly meetings. As “guardian of the teapot,” the role of “tea pourer” was quite an honor! As years passed and life became less formal, members’ dress evolved from hats and white gloves to casual attire of the day. In 2019, the Garden Club donated the Silver Service to the Westwood Historical Society for all to enjoy.

Throughout its 90+ years, the Westwood Garden Club has been a responsive contributor to our town. During our first decade, Club members shared their land and horticultural knowledge to plant Thrift Gardens, providing life-saving food during the Great Depression. During World War II, Club members again led the efforts to share harvests from their Westwood Victory Gardens. The Club participated in Westwood’s Centennial Celebration and many other holidays. We have contributed to the planting of trees, shrubs, and flowers across the town, including at the main library, Community Center in Islington, Senior Center, and several schools. We have funded projects at the schools, libraries, historical buildings, and parks.

Guest speakers have continuously advanced members’ horticultural skills and knowledge. Club workshops have included garden, tablescape, and planter design; cooking and other beneficial uses for plants and herbs; planting with perennials, bulbs, annuals, succulents, wildflowers, and native species. Presentations about bees, landscape architecture, and conservation have helped us responsibly steward our community resources. Members have enjoyed field trips to public and private botanical gardens, nurseries, and historic homes and buildings.  

In 2002 the Westwood Garden Club hosted an Afternoon Tea and Boutique at the First Parish Hall. More than 125 women attended the affair, many dressed for the occasion with hats and white gloves. The first Tea was an instant success and followed by six more. Tablescapes, tea accessories and exquisite handmade quilts were displayed, and members sold a variety of lovely boutique items. The Club also sponsored several house and garden tours in partnership with Westwood residents who graciously opened their homes and gardens to inspire the community. 

After a grand celebration of the Club's 90th anniversary in December 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic curtailed in-person group and public programs. We were grateful when warm weather allowed small groups to meet outside and brainstorm ways to keep working together safely.  Two major activities were initiated in 2022:

• A 400-square-foot organic vegetable garden was planted and harvested throughout the summer; over 250 pounds of produce were delivered to homebound Garden Club members and distributed among other members. The Garden served as an outdoor classroom for Club members and a volunteer site for Westwood high students. 

• The Garden Club partnered with Westwood High School during its week long "J-term" experiential learning project. Students learned about sustainable gardening practices, and the importance of biodiversity and pollinators as they explored local gardens, including the Club’s organic garden. Club members donated perennials and worked alongside students as they helped long term residents with their gardens, and restored the Martha Jones School butterfly garden. 

Both of these initiatives will continue.

Sharing gardening information, swapping plants, exploring environmental issues, learning from guest speakers, touring unique gardens, and creating arrangements in hands-on workshops are just some of the events hosted by the Westwood Garden Club. Developing lifelong friendships through a common interest in gardening has always been the guiding interest of the Club. Lifelong learners by nature, we revel in each new idea for gardens to enrich our communities, nourish our bodies, and ignite our spirits. We delight in nature’s beauty; sparking perennial memories of kindness and friendships; anticipation of the blossoms to come; and joy in the abundance to share.