- Massachusetts Horticultural Society
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Exhibition of the Society in the 1850s
The Massachusetts Horticultural Society, sometimes abbreviated to MassHort, is an American horticultural society based in Massachusetts. It describes itself as the oldest, formally-organized horticultural institution in the United States. In its mission statement, the society dedicates itself to encouraging the science and practice of horticulture and developing the public's enjoyment, appreciation, and understanding of plants and the environment. As of 2006, it had some 8,000 members.
Contents
History
The society was established in 1829 in Boston as the Boston Horticultural Society, and promptly began weekly exhibits (in Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market) of locally grown fruit and later vegetables, teaching the newest horticultural techniques and breeds, perhaps most notably the local Concord grape in 1853. It has continued this tradition since 1871 with its annual New England Spring Flower Show.
In 1831 the society bought a 72-acre (290,000 m2) estate called "Sweet Auburn" for an arboretum, garden, and cemetery. Although the horticultural garden never materialized, in 1835 the site was incorporated as Mount Auburn Cemetery. Until 1976, the society received one-fourth of the proceeds from the sale of Mount Auburn's cemetery lots.
Horticultural Hall dedicated in 1865 on Tremont Street, Boston. Note the statues at the corner of the second floor and on the roof which are now displayed in the "Garden of the Goddesses" at Elm Bank Horticulture Center.Horticultural Hall
In its early years, the Society met in various locations in Boston. Starting in 1845, the society has built for itself three successive exhibit halls, each named Horticultural Hall. The first was located on School Street; the second on Tremont Street, and the third on Massachusetts Avenue. Since 2001 the society's headquarters have been at the Elm Bank Horticulture Center (36 acres) in Wellesley. The 36 acres (150,000 m2) encompass multiple gardens including an acre-sized one designed by prominent U.K. plantsman Adrian Bloom. Other gardens include the Weezie's Children's Garden, an Italianate Garden, a floral and vegetable trial gardens run as part of the All-America Selection group, and specialty gardens built around rhododendron, daylilies, herbs and natrive plants.
Financial difficulties
In 2008 the society found itself in financial difficulty. Following revelation that then-new executive director Bob Feige had spent three days in jail the year before for failing to pay employees at a former business he owned, the trustees began a detailed review of the books which revealed the organization to be "essentially broke and facing a stack of bills with no way to pay them."[1] Feige resigned after the trustees presented the facts, but it was apparent that problems were building over a number of years due to overspending. In 2002 the society sold $5.25 million of rare books and prints to raise cash, at which time the Massachusetts Attorney General strongly advised the society to educate its trustees on sound financial practices.[2] In order to conserve cash the society decided to not hold the New England Spring Flower Show in 2009 for the first time since 1871, opting instead for a truncated event in downtown Boston called 'Blooms".
In September 2009, MassHort announced that it would incorporate "Blooms" as part of the Boston Flower & Garden Show, produced by the Paragon Group, a privately held events marketing group. That show took place in March 2010 at the Seaport World Trade Center. MassHort took responsibility for two floral design competitions, amateur horticulture competition, Ikebana displays, plant society displays and one day of lectures. In its May 2010 newsletter, 'The Leaflet', MassHort described the venture as 'financially successful'. Also in its May 2010 newsletter, MassHort reported it had reached agreement with the bulk of its remaining creditors by selling off an additional group of books from its collection. Paragon's website provides dates for the 2011 Boston Flower & Garden Show.
1840 Grand Dahlia showAward winners
- 1911 George R. White Medal of Honor - Victor Lemoine for his lifetimes contribution to horticulture.
- 1937 Thomas Roland Medal Winner - Arlow Stout for his pioneering work in the hybridization of daylilies
- 1952 Thomas Roland Medal Winner - Victor A. Tiedjens for his skill in hydroponics and his outstanding work in the field of vegetable gardening.
References
- ^ Ranalli, Ralph (7 September 2008). "Facing Trouble with Deep Roots". Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/09/07/facing_troubles_with_deep_roots/. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Facing Trouble with Deep Roots"
Further reading
- Carol Stocker. Her budding career. Boston Globe, February 17, 2011. Interview with Katherine K. Macdonald, executive director, Massachusetts Horticultural Society
External links
Categories:- Horticultural organizations
- 1829 establishments in the United States
- Organizations based in Massachusetts
- Wellesley, Massachusetts
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