What We Do

Since its founding in 1924, the Westport Garden Club has been committed to supporting the health and history of our community, through both civics projects and philanthropy.

CIVICS PROJECTS

Maintenance work, largely done by Club members, consists of planting, weeding, dividing, pruning and mulching. Work parties are organized throughout the spring, summer, and fall. The Club maintains the following local properties:

• Adams Academy (Morningside Drive North) WGC members restored this site in 1991.

• Beach Buds (at the entrance to Compo Beach) This garden was re-established by WGC in 2007 and received a Westport Beautification Award in 2010.

• Earthplace Entrance Garden (Earthplace, 10 Woodside Lane) This garden was established in 1989. Renovated in 2022

• Grace K. Salmon Park (Imperial Avenue across from Baker Avenue) This former landfill was restored and planted in 1977 by WGC and is now a public park. For our work on this property, WGC was awarded the Lucille B. Droge Mauntel Certificate for Conservation by the National Council of Garden Clubs. Renovated in 2022

• Lucas Garden (Ned Dimes Marina at Compo Beach) The Lucas Garden was created in 2012 in memory of Westporter Charles Lucas, an avid gardener and sportsman. Creation of the garden was a collaboration between WGC and Charles’s family and friends.

• Nevada Hitchcock Memorial Garden (Weston Road at Cross Highway) This garden was established in 1941 in honor of an illustrious founding member. Renovated in 2022

• Cam’s Garden (at the intersection of Old Hills Farm and Winding lane)
  “Cam’s Garden” was inspired by Cameron Bruce, son of WGC member Linda Bruce. The garden was designed by Linda Bruce in collaboration with Eric Sweet of Greenscape Design, LLC, Fairfield, CT and was installed in the fall of 2012. WGC took over maintenance of the garden in 2022. It features bluestone paths winding through the garden and circling a water feature. The garden is populated by a cherry tree, numerous varieties of shrubs, perennials, and bulbs providing color and interest for three seasons.
  There is a marker at the site which reads:

  Cam’s Garden

  In memory of Cameron Bruce

  (1992-2010)

  —Tended by his family and friends

PHILANTHROPY

The Westport Garden Club shares its fund raising profits with organizations that reflect our cornerstone values of education, conservation, preservation and beautification. In past years, WGC has given money to the following organizations:

• Wakeman Town Farm

• Aspetuck Land Trust

• Westport Public Library

• Nature Conservancy

• Earthplace

• The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station

• Connecticut College Arboretum

• Connecticut Audubon

• Staples High School Tuition Grants

• Westport Museum for History & Culture

• Friends of Sherwood Island

• Federated Garden Clubs Scholarship

• Garden Therapy/World Gardening

• Sherwood Mill Pond

• Harbor Watch/River Watch

• Naugatuck Valley Community College (scholarship for a horticultural student)

Current Projects:

Westport’s POLLINATOR PATHWAY PROJECT

The Wakeman Town Farm, Earthplace and the Westport Garden Club are working in partnership with other town organizations to enhance our public gardens and create new pollinator-friendly spaces, while encouraging residents to create their own native plant gardens. Read more www.pollinator-pathway.org/westport

#FridayFlowers

The Westport Garden Club launched Friday Flowers in May of 2020 to brighten the spirits of fellow residents during the pandemic. The Garden Club plans to continue this project in 2021. Members will share pots and bouquets of colorful flowers placed at various locations around town. Our goal is to encourage a love of gardening while respecting the current limitations of public interaction. Providing fresh flowers reflects the club’s mission to “participate in civic beautification” and its dedication to the community.

Photos of each week’s display will be posted on the Westport Garden Club Facebook and Instagram pages. The public is encouraged to join the campaign by posting their own photos with the tag #FridayFlowers.

HOLIDAY WREATHS

At our wreath-making workshop each December, large wreaths are created to adorn many public buildings in Westport, including:

• Westport Senior Center

• Parks and Recreation

• Westport Museum for History & Culture

• Westport/Weston Health District

• Westport Housing Authority

• Adams Academy

• Gillespie Center

• Women’s Crisis Center

• Earthplace

• ABC House

• Project Return

• Wakeman Town Farm

• VFW Post 399