Ramsey County History – Summer 2012: “From Cigars for Founders to a Festive 2012 Centennial: The (Men’s) Garden Club of Ramsey County at 100”

From Cigars for Founders to a Festive 2012 Centennial: The (Men’s) Garden Club of Ramsey County at 100
Author: Barbara Parisien

Two men, Zenas Thomas and Judge Grier M. Orr, are credited with the founding of the Men’s Garden Club of Ramsey County (GCRC) in 1912. Initially, only men were allowed in the club, but, in 1932, the members voted to allow women and children to be members, and the word “Men’s” was dropped from the title of the organization. Prior to that time, women were only allowed to be guests of members at club functions, such as talks, garden tours, and flower competitions. The goal from the outset of the GCRC was to make St. Paul a garden city and to encourage the cultivation of trees, fruits, flowers, and vegetables in the city and county. The GCRC celebrated its centennial on April 12, 2012 and is recognized as the oldest continuously operated gardening club in Minnesota.
PDF of Parisien article