Hunterdon Hills Garden Club
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As many of you may know, this garden club was originally organized on July 22, 1942 as the High Bridge Garden Club in the fireman’s room at the High Bridge Boro Hall.
World War II and gas rationing isolated communities and people were looking for ways to get together around common issues. The Boro Council of High Bridge appointed a recreation chairman, Mr. William Burke, to organize town recreation activities. He asked Mrs. C.W. Apgar and Mrs. Howard Dalyrmple, Jr. to organize and hold a Flower and Vegetable Show in September of 1942.
At the first meeting a slate of officers was presented and installed and committee chairmen were selected. There was a “hot discussion” on dues- $.25 versus $.50- and $.50 won. There were 36 charter members including 3 men. The speaker at this first meeting was Mrs. Pastorino of Readington, who spoke on “Planning a Garden Club…Planning a Flower Show”.
In August 1942 the constitution and by-laws were read and accepted. On September 2, 1942 the First Flower and Vegetable Show was held at the High Bridge Methodist Church. Mrs. C.W. Apgar was chairman. There were 57 different exhibitors and there were 259 entries in total.
A Christmas Tea was held in December of 1942 and in the spring of 1943 a Silver Tea Lawn Party was held. In addition, there were some evening meetings for the men members.
The Projects of interest that year also included making Christmas arrangement displays and demonstrating to the general public how to create them. This included trimmings for the Father & Son Banquet and the PTA Banquet.
Over the years our Club has changed in many ways, but the spirit of those original members continues in our dedication to gardening, the environment and enhancing the beauty of the communities in which we live.
It was noted by Mrs. Virginia Dalyrmple that their lack of experience and time was overcome by sheer will and determination.
In 1947 the HighBridge Garden Club joined the Garden Club of New Jersey. At the January 1948 meeting the name was changed to the Hunterdon Hills Garden Club.
The Club has always focused on the need for educated horticulturalists and raise thousands of dollars over the years to endow scholarships. In the past 15 years, 26 graduating high school students have received financial help from Club scholarships to further their education. In 2008 the Club awarded three (3) scholarships totaling $3,600.
How proud the founding members would be that the Garden Club they started 66 years ago is still thriving today.
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