About Us

Our Story

The Orlando Garden Club was organized in 1926. The Mayor of Orlando, Honorable L.M. Autrey, along with other Orlando residents, including Mr. A.T. Coith, Park Superintendent, Mr. M.J. Daetwyler, local Nurseryman, and Mrs. A.B.Whitman, called together a group of ladies and requested they take the lead in organizing it.

They had met since 1924 at various places, including the Sorosis House. The first President of the Orlando Garden Club was Mrs. A.B. Whitman. The total membership at its inception was 202 members with 7 circles: Adair, Cherokee, Dubsdred, Lucerne, Park Lake, Merrit Park and Wissahickon.

Orlando Garden Club joined the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs in 1927. The Federation was organized on April 25, 1924. Club representatives from thirteen states met in 1929 in Washington D.C. to organize the National Council of Garden Clubs. Florida was one of the thirteen states, and was one of the charter members of this Group.

General meetings of the Orlando Garden Club were held at the Chamber of Commerce, Salvation Army building, Orange Court Hotel, and Sears. In September 1939 at the meeting in home of President Mrs. E.M. Newald, Miss Mary Compton gave a report regarding the building of a garden center on the grounds of Mead Botanical Garden. She stated that due to unforeseen circumstances the center could not be placed there. Another location was allotted in the Dickson Azalea Park by Mayor Beardall.

Projects to raise money included Teas, Tours, Plant sales, and Garden Parties. The Orlando Sentinel published on February 8, 1941 the following: “Rustic Garden Center Dedicated Yesterday for city Beautification – Orlando’s Garden Center, in the 1800 block on East Central Avenue was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies, yesterday, and has assumed rightful place as the center of garden culture and friendships in this section of Florida. The Center for more than two years has been a chief focus of attention of an enthusiastic group under active leadership of Miss Mary Compton. In this time they have seen a dream come to fruition on two lots on East Central that were, when work actually started, virgin Florida jungle. With the cooperation of the National Youth Administration the creeping fingers of the jungle were pushed back and the cornerstone of a garden set firmly in place.”

In 1949 the Orlando Garden Club had grown to 480 members. During the previous ten years the Club members were given the deed to a lot on West Glendejo Drive (what is now Garland) to build a bigger location, since the previous one only had a seating capacity for 100, and could not longer accommodate meetings. The membership raised funds for the new building with a Circle Quota Project, Flower Shows, Garden Tours, Bazaars, House Committee Benefits, the summer “Piggy Bank-Glass Block” campaign and many more. They also hosted Saturday matinees and Horse Shows.

The Glendejo Drive lot was found unsuitable for the club’s needs. The Club was given the deed to a site on Lake Ivanhoe on May 21, 1952. Sketches for a “Contemporary Colonial Design” by architect Mr. Howard Fielder were approved. But construction was never done on the Ivanhoe lot.

After the land to be used to build a world’s fair came was deed to the city’s possession in 1939 some of it was deeded to the Orlando Garden Club. In 1954 by act of Legislature Loch Haven Park was set aside for Civic, Cultural and educational purposes. The Orlando Garden Club’s application for a site in Loch Haven Section was presented at the Loch Haven’ Park Board’s first meeting. It was approved.

The Orlando Garden club was built on 2.5 acres, there were no trees. Landscaping work was carried  out due to the efforts of Mr. George Morrison Sr., Mr. Foster and Mrs. Troy. “Trees, gardens a walled patio and a contoured lawn have transformed the section of Loch Haven Park into one of Orlando’s Showplaces” (page 10, Compilation by Mr. Robert Pryde, Orlando Garden Club Year Book, April 2001)