Federation of Garden Clubs of Norfolk and Vicinity A Guide to the Federation of Garden Clubs of Norfolk and Vicinity Records MG 116

A Guide to the Federation of Garden Clubs of Norfolk and Vicinity Records MG 116


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ODU Community Collections

3000 Perry Library
4427 Hampton Blvd.
Norfolk, VA 23529
Business Number: 757-683-5350
libspecialcollections@odu.edu
URL: https://www.odu.edu/library/special-collections

Sonia Yaco

Repository
ODU Community Collections
Identification
MG 116
Title
Federation of Garden Clubs of Norfolk and Vicinity Records 1932-1995, undated Date acquired: 04/16/2013
URL:
https://archivesguides.lib.odu.edu/repositories/5/resources/242
Quantity
26.60 Linear Feet
Quantity
2 Hollinger document cases, 24 oversize boxes boxes
Creator
Federation of Garden Clubs of Norfolk and Vicinity
Language
English
Abstract
The Federation of Garden Clubs of Norfolk and Vicinity records include scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, photos, newsletters, yearbooks, member artwork, and information about the programs held by the garden clubs. Reports within the books include information on horticultural and events concerning the Norfolk area, as well as introspection into member's lives and influence, social events, and personal interests.

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Use

Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, and the holder of the copyright, if not Old Dominion University Libraries.

Conditions Governing Access

Open to researchers without restrictions.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], Federation of Garden Clubs of Norfolk and Vicinity Records, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

Source of Acquisition

Dolores Sabisky, President of Federation of Garden Clubs of Norfolk and Vicinity

Method of Acquisition

Gift. Accession #A2013-14

Processing Information

The collection was processed and the finding aid was created by Sonia Yaco, Special Collections Librarian, in 2013.


Biographical or Historical Information

Since the end of the nineteenth century garden clubs in the U.S. have been an integral part of environmental and beautification achievement. Originally formed as a group for women to share plants, information, and advice about their gardens; garden clubs quickly spread to include educational pursuits and preservation of all aspects of wildlife. Separate garden clubs joined together in alliances and organizations to share ideas. The Federation of Garden Clubs of Norfolk and Vicinity, Inc. was formed as one such group in the Virginia Tidewater region.

In 1932 The Federation of Garden Clubs of Norfolk and Vicinity, Inc. was founded by the Garden Club of Norfolk.[1] Previously a separate organization, the Garden Club of Norfolk wished to include other clubs in the surrounding cities in order to broaden their span of work and influence. The mission of the Federation, as stated in their pamphlets is to "bring about a closer co-operation between the Garden Clubs belonging to the organization, form new clubs and work together for the beautification of our community, encouraging the knowledge and love of gardening. The Federation aids in the conservation and protection of our native trees, wildflowers, birds and fish, and strives to promote civic planting."[2] The Federation came together for Regular Meetings, Flower Shows, Schools concerning horticulture, and social events held by or decorated by the garden clubs.[3]

The Federation was a part of the Tidewater District of the Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc., Garden Club of Virginia, and the Garden Club of America.[4] As the Federation grew, members and officers began plans for a permanent location to ensure their collaboration with the community. In 1957, The Federation opened the Garden Center Educational building as its home and held the first Regular Meeting. In 1966 the mortgage of the building was paid off and the Federation held the Burning of the Mortgage on May 4th under the Federation President. Guest speaker Norfolk Mayor Roy B. Martin Jr. commented that due to the Federation, Norfolk "takes a back seat to no other city in beauty".[5]

Today, the Federation continues to aid in beautification and city planting. Other projects include contributing to youth programs, providing educational grants to students and workers in the horticultural field, holding conferences to address environmental concerns, and aiding in the preservation of memorial sites and parks. The Federation also provided funding for the healing garden in the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, VA.[13]

Sources

[1] Garden Club of Norfolk Homepage (accessed July 15, 2013).

[2] Pamphlet, Scrapbook, Mortgage Burning, 1966

[3] Scrapbooks, Minutes, 1932-1934; Minutes, 1941-1944

[4] "About Us." Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs (accessed July 15, 2013).

[5] Newspaper clipping, Scrapbook, Mortgage Burning, 1966

[6] Whichard, Rogers Dey. The History of Lower Tidewater Virginia . New York: Lewis Historical Pub. Co., 1959.

[7] "About Us, Garden Club of Virginia." Historic Garden Week in Virginia (accessed July 15, 2013).

[8] "Homes & Gardens." Norfolk Home and Garden Tour (accessed July 15, 2013).

[9] "Plant Societies." Norfolk Botanical Garden (accessed July 15, 2013).

[10] "About." Norfolk NATO Festival (accessed July 15, 2013).

[11] "About Us." Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs.

[12] "Publications." Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs. http://www.virginiagardenclubs.org/VFGC/Publications.html (accessed July 23, 2013).

[13] "Tidewater District." Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs. http://www.virginiagardenclubs.org/VFGC/Tidewater.html (accessed July 15, 2013).

Scope and Contents

The collection includes newspaper clippings, photos, newsletters, yearbooks, member artwork, and information about the programs held by various organizations that make up the Federation of Garden Clubs of Norfolk and Vicinity. The bulk of the collection consits of scrapbooks created carefully by members of the Federation of Garden Clubs of Norfolk and Vicinity. Reports within the scrapbooks include information on horticultural and events concerning the Norfolk area, as well as social events and personal interests of members. Some of the scrapbooks are fragile and need to be handled with care.

Arrangement Note

The collection is organized into two series: Series I: Business Records; and Series II: Personal Papers.

Subjects and Indexing Terms


Physical Access Requirements

Some of the scrapbooks are fragile and need to be handled with care.


Container List

Series I
Series I: Business Records
1932-1995
Scope and Contents

This series contains business records of the Federation of Garden Clubs of Norfolk and Vicinity. The bulk of the series consists of scrapbooks kept by the organization of events, such as garden shows, as well as publications and reports.

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Series II
Series II: Personal Papers
1937-1995, undated
Scope and Contents

This series includes personal scrapbooks and photos kept by Mrs. Albert V. Crosby, Odelle Holland, and Charles C. Day. Some of the scrapbooks have unknown authorship.

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