The Pioneer Garden Club
Celebrating the past, present and future.
Officers of the Garden Club of Florida, May 30, 1949.
The Past:
The Pioneer Garden Club will commemorate a century of community service in Ocala in April 2027. Reflecting on its origins, one can appreciate the determination and vision of the founding members who initiated the first garden club.
In the 1920s, garden club members played essential roles in their communities, advocating for environmental conservation, enhancing city landscapes and initiating historic preservation efforts. Their commitment was evident as they established leadership, drafted by laws and recruited members, often meeting in their homes to plan civic beautification initiatives. These pioneers established a legacy that continues to inspire future generations.
The Present:
Pioneer Garden Club members uphold the objectives laid out by their founders through numerous ongoing projects:
Tuscawilla Art Park Garden – Through collaboration with the city of Ocala, the Pioneer Garden Club sponsors the Pioneer Garden at Tuscawilla Art Park, located near a lake, playgrounds and cultural centers. The park features outdoor sculptures and a stage for performances. Club members maintain the garden, organizing workdays for weeding and replanting, and have enhanced installations such as the “Blades of Grass” sculptures with native grasses.
Blue Star Marker – The Dunnellon Blue Star Marker on U.S. Highway 41 near Rainbow Springs, previously neglected, was restored by Tom Stelling of Historical Markers Restorations, a veteran who has worked on nearly 500 markers nationwide. Restoration funding was provided by Dr. Bryn McGhee to honor her father, grandfathers and other veterans she has served as a physician at the Veterans Administration.
Arbor Day Celebrations – The club observes Arbor Day each January with a tree-planting ceremony at the Tuscawilla Art Park.
Seasonal Library Displays – Floral and horticultural displays are presented seasonally at the Headquarters-Ocala Public Library for autumn, winter and summer.
Flower and Horticulture Shows – A horticulture show is scheduled for May 2026 at the Headquarters-Ocala Public Library, where plants will be exhibited in categories, judged and open to the public.
Plant a Tree Program – Members participate with the US Forestry Service in the Plant-A-Tree Program, supporting conservation through tree planting across national forests impacted by natural disturbances. Annual donations contribute to this initiative.
Protecting Pollinators – The club has participated in multiple Great Southeast Pollinator counts, assisting scientists in tracking trends in bee, butterfly, moth, bird and insect populations.
Gypsy Vanner Horse Memorials – Members collaborated with Gypsy Gold Farm to landscape granite markers beneath oak trees, selecting drought-tolerant bromeliads for the site and providing guidance on plant selection.
The Ocala Civic Theatre – Volunteers from the club have improved the landscaping surrounding the theatre entrance, removing weeds and vines, trimming bushes and adding containers of vibrant flowers to welcome patrons.
The Future:
Scholarships – Looking ahead, Pioneer Garden Club works with the College of Central Florida to present the Marge Hendon Endowment Scholarship to students pursuing careers in horticulture, agriculture or environmental studies, contributing to the club’s mission.
Artist Designed Bench – The club has conducted fundraising for the last five years to install a pollinator inspired artistic bench in the garden at Tuscawilla Park. Working with the city of Ocala, we have a contract with artist Richard Herzog. This installation will be a keystone celebration for the Pioneer Garden Club’s 100 years.
The original Pioneer Garden Club members would be gratified to witness how their vision has endured for 100 years. Current members continue to foster gardening appreciation, enhance civic environments, pursue educational opportunities and promote fellowship within the club.
To learn more, go to pioneergardenclub.org or find the club on Facebook.
References: National Women’s History Museum (womenshistory.org)
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