THE GARDEN CLUB OF DOWNERS GROVE
Established 1927
PROJECTS
A project is a major undertaking involving member participation
and theclub's financial support for the purpose of furthering
one or more objectives of National Garden Clubs, Inc.,
The Garden Clubs of Illinois, Inc., and The Garden Club of Downers Grove.
CIVIC DEVELOPMENT
The Civic Development committee works with local agencies for the beautification of town areas. They designed, planted, and maintain both the Blue Star Marker Memorial Garden and the Elizabeth Rigsby Memorial Garden located in the Main Street Historical Cemetery in downtown Downers Grove. They planted and maintain in the Maple Grove Forest Preserve, and the Blue Star Marker at the American Legion Post 80 Headquarters building in Downers Grove In addition, the committee designed, restored, and maintains the 1930s-style garden at the Gregg House Historical Museum in Westmont.
Elizabeth Rigsby
Memorial Garden
Blue
Star
Marker
Maple Grove Memorial Garden
Blue Star Marker
American Legion Post 80
Downers Grove, IL
Gregg House Museum Garden
& Last Straw Event
GARDEN THERAPY
Currently the committee shares plants and flower arranging skills with residents at Providence and Saratoga Grove in Downers Grove and Westmont Manor in Westmont. Projects and programs are designed to encourage resident participation and geared toward their basic senses. Committee members love to build community in the nursing homes by ending their visits with a story and songs. Activities are planned throughout the year with outdoor garden planting in the spring.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Annual scholarships are offered to Masters or Doctoral candidates at the University of Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. Currently two are offered at $2,000 each. In addition, an annual $1,000 scholarship is offered to a Horticulture student at College of DuPage, and an annual $500 scholarship is offered to a club member or family member for continuing studies in horticulture or floral design.