THE LONGFELLOW GARDEN CLUB, INC.

               

 

Officers

Longfellow Garden

Continuing Projects

 

New Projects

 

Distinguished Service Awards
 
 
Portland, Maine
Organized 1924
Federated 1931
Incorporated 1937
 
Member of:
National Garden Clubs, Inc.
New England Region
Garden Club Federation of Maine, INC.
Stroudwater District of the Garden Club Federation of Maine, Inc.

If you would like information about joining Longfellow Garden Club, please contact:
                 Membership Chairman:  Barbara C. Tolman
                                                 7 Bayberry Lane
                                                 Scarborough, ME 04074
                                                 207-883-5530
 
 
 
Details of all the programs will be in Poet’s Corner.  Every member is welcome to attend all field trips, programs, workshops, and board meetings. 
In the event of inclement weather, please listen to radio station WGAN 560AM between 9 and 9:30am.  If schools in Portland are cancelled the Longfellow Garden Club activities are also cancelled.
 
OFFICERS
2005-2007
 
President:  Trudy Winne
Vice President:  Lottie Bragdon
Recording Secretary:  Joanne Zeboski
Corresponding Secretary:  Helen Anderson
Treasurer:  Dolores Ellis
 
Standing Committee Chairs 2005-2007
 
Advisory:  Joan Pierce
Parliamentarian:  Linda Frinsko
Finance:  Dolores Ellis
Historian:  Trudy Winnie
Horticulture/Conservation:  Sue Parcels
Hospitality:  Marilyn Spencer/Carolyn Ferrante/Dolores Drivas
Longfellow Arboretum:  Linda Frinsko
Longfellow Garden: Betty Umbel
Membership:  Barbara Tolman
Photographer:  Lottie Bragdon
Plant Sale:  Candi Oliver
Poet�s Corner:  Candi Oliver
Programs:  Lottie Bragdon
Telephone:  Rosemary Sherr
Yearbook:  Patty Caselden
 
THE LONGFELLOW GARDEN
 
            The garden in the Wadsworth Longfellow House in Portland, Maine, has been in continuous existence, in one form or another since the erection of the house in 1786 by General Peleg Wadsworth, grandfather of the poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
            Upon the death in 1901 of Anne Longfellow Pierce, the younger sister of the poet, and last member of the family to reside in the house, the property was bequeathed to The Maine Historical Society, to be maintained as a memorial to the two families.  Following the erection of the Society’s library upon the site of the old barn, the garden was cared for intermittently by members of the Society.
            In 1924 after Mrs. William Wing had obtained permission to restore the garden to its early loveliness, the Longfellow Garden Club was organized for the purpose of financing and maintaining it.  Many of the trees, shrubs, and plants were still in good condition.
            Members of the Longfellow family assisted Mrs. Wing in her efforts to duplicate the garden as it was in the lifetime of the Poet.  Surrounding high buildings, however, with the consequent lack of sunshine and circulation of air have necessitated the substitution of hardy shrubs and plants for the fruit trees and dainty perennials originally in the garden.
            Here in the heart of our busy city it is hoped visitors will feel the serenity and joy which inspired Mistress Zilpah’s famous son to write, “The lilacs are in bloom, and the apple trees.  The whole world is a flower garden; and all the birds are singing, singing, singing.

                                                                        ©Longfellow Garden Club, Inc.C

 

CONTINUING PROJECTS
 
1.  Longfellow Garden - maintenance and restoration
            487 Congress St., Portland, ME   04101
            A Peaceful Respite for the Community
            Chairman: Betty Umbel
 
2.  Longfellow Arboretum - donation and planting of trees and flowers
            Near Payson Park, Baxter Boulevard, Portland, ME   04103
               A Nice City Park Used by All
               Chairman: Linda Frinsko
 
3.  Spring Plant Sale
            Andover College, Portland
            Supplying Usual & Unusual Plants to the Public Benefitting LGC & Community
            Chairman: Candi Oliver
 
4.  Horticulture/Conservation Workshops
            Field trips and meetings
              Continuing Education for All Members
 
5.  Maine Historical Society
            Building and grounds committee member
 
NEW PROJECTS

 1.  A Standard Flower Show
            Friday, September 16-Saturday, September 17, 2005
            Maine Vocational Regional Ten
            68 Church Street, Brunswick, ME
2.  Donation and Planting of Trees and Flowers
            in Payson Park at the Longfellow Arboretum, Portland, ME
3. Membership Promotion
 
LONGFELLOW GARDEN CLUB
DISTINGUISHED SERVICES AWARDS
 
1992  Luena Atwood and Helen Bruce
1993  Maria Card and Dorris Porter
1994  Clee Miller and Barbara Tolman
1995  Charlotte Sinnett and Charlotte Farrin
1996  Candi Oliver and Lucille Rideout
1997  Joan Burns and Lois Nichols
1998  Barbara Sawyer and Kay Bowker
1999  Loraine Crosby and Dolores Ellis
2000  Doris Homer and Marcia Willock
2001  Doris Gene Briggs and Laurel Parker
2002  Linda Frinsko and Marilyn Spencer
2003  Alex Turek and Carolyn Ferrante
2004  Bonnie Nelson and Joan Pierce
2005  Patty Caselden and Betty Umbel