History of Magnolia Garden Club
1891
The Ladies Garden Club of Athens, Georgia was founded and recognized as being the first Garden Club of America.
1935
Magnolia Garden Club was organized.
1935
Carnegie Library was decorated by our club throughout the year and particularly at Christmas.
1940
234 arrangements were placed in Carnegie Library.
1940 – 1945
Magnolia Garden Club purchased United States War Savings Bonds which went towards the building of the cruiser “Atlanta”.
1965
Sheltering Arms Day Nursery, Baker Street, terrace project was completed.
1967
Our club tied for Lullwater Perpetual Trophy and James D. Robinson Perpetual Trophy
1968
A flower show was held by our club in April. We were awarded the National Award for a Flower Show held by an individual club at the 1969 convention in Savannah. We were also awarded the State Award Flower Show by another club.
1970
Magnolia took as its project the yard surrounding the restored Tullie Smith House on the grounds of the Atlanta Historical Society.
1971
Mrs. John Harper donated a rail fence surrounding the grounds of the Tullie Smith House. Flower beds were started.
1972
Rose garden and additional flower yard were completed for the Tullie Smith House.
1975
Flower yard at Tullie Smith House is named the Adelle Harper Garden in loving memory of Mrs. Harper.
1976
The nineteenth century picket fence surrounding the flower garden at Tullie was given in memory of the charter members of Magnolia Garden Club.
1989
Magnolia donated the rain barrel and the benches to the Tullie Smith House yard.
1990
The Adelle Harper Trophy was donated by her family to the Atlanta Flower Show in loving memory of Mrs. Harper, a Magnolia Garden Club Charter Member.
1991
The Magnolia Garden Club Trophy was donated to the Atlanta Flower Show. The trophy designated the Best Overall Outdoor Setting in Artistic Division given each judging period.
Mrs. Martin Turbidy, a Magnolia Garden Club member, served as the 1991 Atlanta Flower Show Chairman. Magnolia presented Life Memberships to: Mrs. Martin Turbidy – National Council of State Garden Clubs; Mrs. Bob Johnson – Garden Club of Georgia.
1992
Magnolia presented Trees Atlanta with a gift for a new tree and surrounding grate along International Boulevard. A gift to re-landscape an area went to Shepard Spinal Center.
1994
Magnolia, in conjunction with Trees Atlanta, participated in the first Southeastern Flower Show held in Atlanta. The Governors Trophy, presented by the Atlanta Botanical Garden, was won by Magnolia for the Best Educational Exhibition.
1995
Magnolia participated in the Southeastern Flower Show with an entry in the Large Niche Category and won second place.
1996
Magnolia, as a club, participated in the Southeastern Flower Show with an entry in the Window Box Category and won second place on both days. Many individuals entered the Horticultural class.
1995-1996
Magnolians began on the 1996 Atlanta Centennial Olympic Games in early 1995 and continued thru the summer of 1996. There were three projects completed:
1.”PEACHTREE PATHWAYS OF GOLD” The assignment was difficult because the section of Peachtree Rd. on “the beat” (from 14th to 8th St.) has some of the best/worst buildings in the city. The project was to beautify with the challenge to convince merchants, mainly non-owners, to paint and spruce up exteriors. Unlike most garden club projects, this one was to make the area pretty, clean, and showcase Peachtree for the world to view the Olympic Marathon Races. Pots of flowers were secondary. Easily 95% of the merchants got involved after the Magnolians convinced them of the importance. The club members helped merchants with weeding and a general “fluff up”. A great moment in story: 25 years before Magnolia planted liriope under newly planted trees along this same strip of Peachtree Road. The members will never forget making calls on: Ear Wax Kaja, The Scrap Bar, the Cotton Club and Club Anytime!
2. After 2 years of trying unsuccessfully to give the State of Georgia Highway Wildflower Program $1,500.00, the monies were given to a private non-profit organization working directly with the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games. Those funds were used for wildflower seeds along several strips of HWY. I-85 from the Airport to Downtown Atlanta.
3. The last Olympic project involved working with another garden club, Planters, to make over 2000 bouquets for the medal winning Olympic athletes for the 1996 Olympics.
1997
At the Southeastern Flower Show, the club, co-sponsoring with the Georgia Native Plants Society, chose to reward an educational exhibit. Our president and her committee chose the trophy, a silver bowl, which will be awarded for an exhibit by an Academic Institution, or other non-profit organization, best exemplifying excellence in environmental education. Our club will be giving this Scholarship Award annually at The Flower Show. In addition, a $500 cash gift will also be given. The first award was presented to the Dekalb High School of Technology. This year our own Magnolia won the Chicago Horticultural Medal and the Lady Bird Johnson at the show.
1998
We gave a one-time gift of $1,000 to the Sandy Springs Historical Society. We planted 2 large urns in the Children’s Playground at Chastain Park both in the fall and spring. We volunteered to stuff Christmas bags and donated $500 to the Atlanta Women’s Day Shelter. We collected shoes for the homeless and donated to The Cathedral of St. Philip for their “Feet on The Street” program. We made and delivered stockings that were taken to a local hospital along with an $80 donation. In memorial to the wonderful family of our member, Meredith Brady Johnson, a commemorative plaque was placed on the grounds of St. Joseph’s Hospital beneath a large Magnolia tree which was donated and planted by Trees Atlanta. Contributions of funds and Magnolia trees were made to the Sandy Springs Library Garden, the Blue Heron Nature Preserve and Art Sandy Springs for our continuing objective of civic improvements.
2000
We gave a one-time gift of $1,000 to Trees Atlanta and a $300 gift to Georgia Perimeter College Native Plant Garden.
2002
Twenty-five members went to Washington, D.C. to dedicate the Magnolia Tree that we donated to Arlington Cemetery in memory of the lives lost at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.
2003
Shirley Sharp made a scrapbook of our Washington trip and the presentation to Arlington Cemetery. In the Deep South Region Award it won 2nd place in the special tree category A $1,000 gift to the Tullie Smith House to update and replace their perennials and roses.
2004
Since the 1997 Southeastern Flower Show, Magnolia Garden Club has continued to give a silver bowl and a cash award “for an exhibit created by an academic institution or other non-profit organization that best exemplifies excellence in environmental education”. This year’s Magnolia Scholarship Trophy was awarded in the Discovery Gardens Division (education) to the Georgia Native Plant Society. The Magnolia Trophy was awarded in the Artistic Floral Division to Iris Garden Club. Our club entered the category “Southern Comfort”, Class G02-“Gardens to Go” for which we received an honorable mention in first judging and 2nd place in second judging. Meredith Johnson received several blue ribbons in a number of flower categories. In March, a large number of our group went to the Philadelphia Flower Show and then toured the city.
2005
Jan Collins created and co-chaired the Sandy Springs Turtle idea which included 75 turtles that were sponsored, painted and distributed through Sandy Springs. In September most will be auctioned, and the money will go to various charities sponsored by the Sandy Springs Society. Harriet Moran assisted as Artist Co-Chair. Meredith Johnson sponsored a turtle in memory of her husband, Bob. Shirley Sharp and Rosalyn Reilley painted two of the turtles.
2006
Pagan Gilman with help of Gail Buchanan, Janet Beauchamp, Lucinda Whitehead, Barbara Beard, Kay Redmond and Joan Davis, entered the individual class ‘Pot et Fleur”, at the Southeastern Flower Show and won Honorable Mention on both days.
2007
Our club voted to donate $7,000 to Trees Atlanta, to be used to plant a grove of magnolia trees at their new location, 225 Chester Ave., Atlanta, GA, in honor of our members past, present and future.
2008
Our first garage sale raised $4,358.44 and was used toward the grove of magnolias, plus a $7,000 donation, to Trees Atlanta.
2009
At this year’s Flower Show, Magnolia won two 1st Place trophies in the window/balcony division. We also received a trophy for winning 1stPlace for both judging’s. We donated three magnolia trees to Sandy Springs Library for the “Reading Garden”.
2010
We planted several hundred bulbs in the garden at Trees Atlanta. In December we donated $500 to Atlanta Women’s Day Shelter to purchase Payless Shoe gift certificates and gathered needed items for the shelter. Gently worn shoes were donated to Cathedral of St. Philip for their Feet on the Street program. We entered the Flower Show and sponsored a class for $1000. In March we donated $1000 to Art Sandy Springs for a planter box on Roswell Rd. In April we plated 2 large urns in the Children’s section of Chastain Park. We were recognized by the Dogwood District for our creative fund-raising event.
2011
Again, we planted 2 large urns in the Children’s Playground at Chastain Park both in the fall and spring. We volunteered to stuff Christmas bags and donated $500 to the Atlanta Women’s Day Shelter. We collected shoes for the homeless and donated to The Cathedral of St. Philip for their “Feet on The Street” program. We made and delivered stockings that were taken to a local hospital along with an $80 donation. In memorial to the wonderful family of our member, Meredith Brady Johnson, a commemorative plaque was placed on the grounds of St. Joseph’s Hospital beneath a large Magnolia tree which was donated and planted by Trees Atlanta. Contributions of funds and Magnolia trees were made to the Sandy Springs Library Garden, the Blue Heron Nature Preserve, and Art Sandy Springs for our continuing objective of civic improvements.
2012
“How Magnolia’s Grow Dollars” fund raiser was an outstanding triumph. Through the hard work of Leslie Dyke and her committee, $4000 was raised. Our members assembled centerpieces for the Annual Dogwood District Meeting and Luncheon held in October. MGC was recognized as a “Patron” of the Cherokee Library. Our scrapbooks have been donated to them for safekeeping as many contain important historical significance to the city of Atlanta. A financial gift was also made to the Library. Continued support, care and financial assistance for Chastain Park Conservancy and Trees Atlanta, remained ongoing.
2013
A spring field trip to Gibbs Gardens, in Ball Ground, Georgia, for the daffodil tour was a pleasure for all. Our November auction, “How Magnolia Grows”, led by Nancy McWilliams, was another big attainment permitting our continued support to Trees Atlanta with a $1,000 donation and another $1000 given to the Oakland Foundation. Our contribution to them will help restore and preserve many tornado damaged and aging Magnolia trees within Oakland Cemetery. We provided a President’s Gift Basket for the Dogwood District Annual Fall Meeting. Several of our members replanted window boxes for the historic Old Pavilion located in the Vinings neighborhood. We continued our plantings of the large urns at the playground at Chastain Park.
2014
In the fall, Shirley Sharp and her committee were extremely successful heading up our annual fund raiser. Donations were made to: Trees Atlanta, Chastain Park Conservancy, Oakland Foundation and the Audubon Society membership. A docent from Trees Atlanta gave us a walking tour of a portion of the Atlanta Beltline where more than 35 species of Magnolia trees are planted. Several members hosted the Dogwood District Annual Fall Meeting. Our Christmas meeting was held at the home of Deen Day Sanders, former National Garden Club President. A donation was made in her honor to The Garden Clubs of Georgia.
2015
Another winning fund raiser: Chairman, Sandy Pittard, along with our talented members, watched “How Magnolia’s Grow” by $4,397 thus allowing our continued sponsorship to: Chastain Park, Trees Atlanta, The Atlanta Beltline, Oakland Cemetery. and the Cherokee Library. We presented a gift basket to Dogwood District’s Annual Fall Meeting. A new permanent Christmas tree, ornaments, clothing and a $250 donation were made to the Georgia Regional Hospital for Garden Therapy
2016
In April, Magnolia members participated in the Trees Atlanta fundraising event, “Branching Out”, a $5 million campaign, held at the Cherokee Town Club. A number of our Magnolia members designed and assembled the centerpieces for the event. Our $1,000 donation was presented. We received the Civic Award of “Landscaping of a Public Place” for planting of 150 native trees at Chastain Park. With help from Carol Martin, Fulton Federation presented us a Certificate of Merit for “Perfect Attendance” as well as our generosity of supplying coffee at all their meetings!
2017
In October, with assistance from our Parliamentarian, Margaret Blackstock, the membership approved revisions of By-laws and Rules & Procedures. That month we visited the outstanding Dale Chihuly’s glass exhibit at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Our Fundraiser was held at Trees Atlanta Kendeda Center and produced a net profit of $4,300 allowing continued sponsorship of Trees Atlanta, Oakland Cemetery and Chastain Conservancy. In April, we visited ”The Farm”, which is maintained by Chastain Conservancy at Chastain Park, and were shown the fulfillment of what can be accomplished in an urban environment. We were again awarded a Certificate of Merit from Fulton Federation for providing coffee for all their meetings.
2018
With all members participating, our annual November Auction, headed by Tasha Whitehead, was again successful for providing funding to Trees Atlanta, Oakland Cemetery and Habitat for Humanity. Bonnie Cooke, our member and well-known regional artist, taught us how to paint with acrylics. Our latest bus tour of Atlanta’s Beltline Corridor had us amazed at the progress made since our last visit. In conjunction with Trees Atlanta’s ‘Spring Break Campers’ program, members helped the campers, ages 8-13, learn about erosion by planting River Birch tree cuttings along a public park stream. Magnolia was recognized with numerous awards and certificates from: The Garden Club of Georgia; Cherokee Garden Library; and Fulton Federation. We added 3 beautiful new members to our rolls!
2019
With great pride, our members visited the Cherokee Garden Library to view the significant MGC Memorabilia Collection, with records beginning in1935 to present. Our tour of the gardens of Oakland Cemetery, along with a donation made to the memory of Martin Moran, husband of Harriet Moran, brought us inspiration. Lucinda Whitehead headed our ‘Holiday Decorating’ efforts to trim one of Oakland’s many beautiful mausoleums. Magnolia remains committed to participating jointly with Pine Tree Garden Club in an ongoing project for renewing the planting areas of Blue Star Memorial Markers. Our programs were varied, from ‘Wildlife in Winter’ to ‘Continuing Classes in Flower Arranging.’
2020
In February, we took part in the Atlanta Botanical Gardens Flower show and won 2ndplace in their category! The Covid 19 epidemic arrived in March and totally shut-down Atlanta and Magnolia - no face-to-face meetings plus living in face masks. That didn’t stop our members!! They learned new ‘Zoom’ computer skills allowing us to get together through virtual reality. We continued with our philanthropic support of Trees Atlanta, Habitat for Humanity, Oakland Cemetery, Ronald McDonald. Entering 2021, plans are in place to finally meet Face to Face.
2021-2022
Covid was still a concern affecting our activities but we managed well. Suzanne Wallace organized a work morning at “The Farm” at Good Samaritan Health Center, in collaboration with ‘Food Well Alliance’, one of our new philanthropies. Members helped prepare a field for spring vegetable planting. Harvested produce is then made available at their Market. A monetary contribution was also made. The club participated again in Atlanta Botanical Gardens Flower Show. The ‘Floral Design’ category was overseen by Alison Jowers, Lindsey Sosebee and Amy Quinn. Our beautiful design won 1st Place and took the honored Peachtree Garden Club Trophy. Habitat for Humanity Build & Landscape Project, coordinated by Beth Shaw, who heads ‘Women Build for Habitat-Atlanta’, had our members finish the planting and landscaping for the unveiling of their new Habitat house. Magnolia was invited to decorate the lovely exterior of the Sage Mausoleum for Oakland Cemetery’s annual Christmas Tour. Co-chairs, Gail Buchanan and Lucinda Whitehead, asked members to use their creativity for the project. Decorating with fresh greenery, many magnolia leaves, swags and Lucinda’s garlands, of “hand strung” kumquats & berries, were all used to adorn this beautiful vintage structure.
2022-2023
Back from Covid, meeting face to face and ‘project’ ready! Linda Smith headed up our project to replace entry plants at the Ronald McDonald House. At Christmas, we donated toys for their Christmas Fund Raiser. We continued our contributions of tabs and toiletries. In November, Habitat for Humanity completed another ‘Women’s Build Home Project.’ Led by Beth Shaw, MGC member and Habitat board member, club members became day volunteers and assisted with sod planting and finishing home projects for the owner presentation ceremony.
Forrest Nutting, a long time Magnolia member and resident of Campbell Stone Retirement Home, requested a donation of a decorated Christmas tree for their residents. Our members were enthusiastic. Along with talented Karen Fallon and the help of Karen Boor, they designed and purchased Christmas tree décor. Door wreaths were added. A lovely Nativity Scene was donated by Sandy Pittard and her daughter Suzanne Wallace. Oakland Cemetery again invited MGC to take part in their annual ‘Victorian Christmas Tour’. Lindsey Sosebee and Suzanne Wallace created the design for the Collier family mausoleum. They also led members in carrying out the decorating. The beautiful, finished project was selected by Oakland for the cover of their tour brochure.
It was decided fresh landscaping of the entrance area at Campbell Stone was needed. Laura Foster, Landscape Architect, and Lindsey Sosebee, floral and garden expert, volunteered to design and oversee the project. MGC, in financial collaboration with Campbell Stone, worked to coordinate and implement the plan, which was completed in June 2023. The Garden Club of Georgia held their annual convention in Atlanta in April hosted by the Dogwood District. Our member, Christy Novellas, Co-Director of the Dogwood District, headed up fundraising for the successful convention. A highlight of the year has been the purchase of our own ‘Blue Star Memorial Marker’ enabled by the contributions collected from members. MGC member Anne Davis, in partnership with Chastain Conservancy, chaired this commemorative project. The Marker will be placed in Chastain Park adjacent to the American Legion Veterans Lodge. Monetary contributions were made to Food Well Alliance in addition to various Garden Club of Georgia projects and scholarships.