Our History
Seaforth & District Horticultural Society was founded in 1972 by Mary Haugh, a local gardener, teacher and 4H leader, and Rodger Whitman, a local doctor and gardener. The first meetings were held at the Town Hall, then the Masonic Lodge, and eventually the Seaforth Public School. A tree was planted in memory of the late Dr. Whitman at the Seaforth District Community Hospital.
Membership fees were $2 in the beginning - Mary Haugh collected a lot of $2 bills over the years! To raise funds we've had plant and bake sales, flower shows, bus and garden tours. We went broke once and two or three of the loyal members pitched in to make us solvent. We've also bought trees, shrubs, and bulbs for members to buy in the past.
At one time Florence Elford and Mary Van Loon were the guiding spirits in launching a Junior Horticultural Society, but lack of interest from potential gardeners ended that endeavor.
Our meetings now take place in the basement of the lovely Northside United Church, around which our volunteers maintain the flower beds as our 'rental fee'. (See How to Find Us)
We beautify Seaforth with plantings at the four entrances to town and with hanging baskets and box planters in the downtown core. There are several gardens in various places such as the Town Hall, the Legion and the Library which are maintained by members of our Society. Our most visible project, in collaboration with Huron East and the Seaforth Trust, is an outdoor reading area with benches, a trellis, and perennials located on the Seaforth Library property. All hands welcome!
Our Society Emblem is the Calendula, a genus in the daisy family Asteraceae. (see slide show below) Calendulas are beautiful, easy to grow and versatile, and can be used fresh or dried in salads, soups, or stew!
Membership fees were $2 in the beginning - Mary Haugh collected a lot of $2 bills over the years! To raise funds we've had plant and bake sales, flower shows, bus and garden tours. We went broke once and two or three of the loyal members pitched in to make us solvent. We've also bought trees, shrubs, and bulbs for members to buy in the past.
At one time Florence Elford and Mary Van Loon were the guiding spirits in launching a Junior Horticultural Society, but lack of interest from potential gardeners ended that endeavor.
Our meetings now take place in the basement of the lovely Northside United Church, around which our volunteers maintain the flower beds as our 'rental fee'. (See How to Find Us)
We beautify Seaforth with plantings at the four entrances to town and with hanging baskets and box planters in the downtown core. There are several gardens in various places such as the Town Hall, the Legion and the Library which are maintained by members of our Society. Our most visible project, in collaboration with Huron East and the Seaforth Trust, is an outdoor reading area with benches, a trellis, and perennials located on the Seaforth Library property. All hands welcome!
Our Society Emblem is the Calendula, a genus in the daisy family Asteraceae. (see slide show below) Calendulas are beautiful, easy to grow and versatile, and can be used fresh or dried in salads, soups, or stew!