Minutes of a meeting in May 1936 tells us that Mrs. E. Briscoe (Betty Briscoe) “gathered ladies throughout the county who were interested in forming a Federated Garden Club.” She invited them to meet on May 8th at Spout Farm, the home of Mrs. M. Rorty. “The meeting was called to order by Mrs. E. Briscoe, after which, Mrs. Rorty spoke on the ‘Value of a Federated Garden Club’ to our County. Mrs. Keyes spoke on how to organize a club and things we might do. After much discussion, officers were elected. Meetings were to be held the 3rd Thursday in every month. The secretary was asked to get further information from the Federation on By-Laws. The dues of $1.00 were proposed. Eighteen members paid dues.”
In addition to these minutes, other historical documents tell us that Mrs. Briscoe had been president of the Prince Frederick Garden Club and the Chairman of the Annual Flower Show for several years, and was quite anxious for the club to join the Federation. On September 17, 1936, at the home of Mrs. Preston Lore, the constitution and by-laws were accepted by the membership. In November, at the home of Mrs. R. Smoot, “Mrs. E. Briscoe read a letter stating the club had been elected into the Federation and that an official notice would follow.” The Calvert Garden Club was born.
The early years found the Club meeting in one another’s home, sharing food and friendship, and touring each other’s gardens. They had interesting programs, such as perennial gardens, how and when to plant shrubs, wreath making, transplanting, what to do with daffodils, and many other interesting topics. Almost 85 years later, the Club continues with active, life and associate members, dues are $35 and we now meet in a church hall. However, no matter where we meet, Betty Briscoe’s dream thrives as we continue along the path that she planted for us so very long ago.
We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and recognize the long term achievements and honor the services of our past presidents.
Past Presidents:
| Maricarol Blanco Cloak | 2015 – 2019 |
| Shahla Butler | 2015 – 2015 |
| Joyce Fletcher | 2013 – 2015 |
| Denise Moroney | 2011 – 2013 |
| Nancy Thompson | 2009 – 2011 |
| Rosemary Dawley | 2007 – 2009 |
| Adele Maguire | 2003 – 2007 |
| Arleen Strider | 2001 – 2003 |
| Sarah Yeats | 1997 – 2001 |
| Charlene Cumberland (John H.) | 1995 – 1997 |
| Susan Maffett (Ronald C.) | 1993 – 1995 |
| Beryl Jerome (Joseph G.) | 1991 – 1993 |
| Jean Hinman (Edward J.) | 1991 – 1991 |
| Mary Elizabeth, (Kitch) Eisenman(Richard L.) | 1989 – 1991 |
| Mary Briscoe(John D.) | 1987 – 1989 |
| Jean Hinman ( Edward J.) | 1985 – 1987 |
| Nan Oldham (Arthur F., Sr.) | 1983 – 1985 |
| Barbara Grosvenor (Albert C.) | 1981 – 1983 |
| Judy Glascock (Bedford C.) | 1979 – 1981 |
| Mary Gordon (Stewart E.) | 1977 – 1979 |
| Mason Sinclair (Richard G.) | 1975 – 1977 |
| Sandra Briscoe ( James T.) | 1973 – 1975 |
| Beryl Jerome (Joseph G.) | 1971 – 1973 |
| Helen Wohlgemuth (Christian, Jr.) | 1969 – 1971 |
| Virginia Bowen (Perry G., Jr.) | 1967 – 1969 |
| May Cole (Philip L.) | 1965 – 1967 |
| Virginia White ( John J.) | 1963 – 1965 |
| Rubel Dawson (James R.) | 1961 – 1963 |
| Evelyn Carpenter (G. Oscar) | 1959 – 1961 |
| Virginia White (John J.) | 1957 – 1959 |
| Sophie Smith (Don) | 1955 – 1957 |
| Eunice Rockhill (Malcolm) | 1953 – 1955 |
| Betty Briscoe (Everard) | 1949 – 1953 |
| Virginia Lore (Joseph C., Jr.) | 1947 – 1949 |
| Evelyn Beaven (G. Francis) | 1945 – 1947 |
| Betty Briscoe (Everard) | 1943 – 1945 |
| Vangie Bennett (Gordon) | 1941 – 1943 |
| Cora Smoot (R. B.) | 1939 – 1941 |
| Mary B. Turner (Claude A.) | 1937 – 1939 |
| Edna Davis (Clarence) | 1936 – 1937 |
Kiss of the sun for pardon. Song of the birds for mirth.
You’re closer to God’s heart in a garden than any place else on earth.
-Dorothy Frances Gurney
Calvert Garden Club 