A BRIEF HISTORY
The Garden Center of New Canaan was founded in 1939 for the purpose of beautification of the community and to provide members with an opportunity to increase their knowledge of gardening and horticulture.
Membership is open to all. Monthly lectures or workshop meetings are held for members and their guests, October to June, with additional activities offered that include field trips, garden tours and many civic beautification projects around New Canaan.
The Garden Center has owned and members have maintained Lee Memorial Garden as a public garden on Chichester Road since 1978. A team of notable experts from The Garden Conservancy evaluated the garden in 2003 as part of its Garden Conservancy Preservation Projects Garden Survey program and provided recommendations to improve and preserve the garden. Implementing the recommendations is a high priority and is a work in progress.
Our civic beautification projects have been funded in the past by the Festival of Trees held at Waveny House in early December. Garden Center volunteers planned,, designed and decorated trees, wreaths and garlands for over a period of a year, leading up to their sale at the Festival. New fundraisers include a Bulb Sale held in fall 2007 and a Kentucky Derby Party held May 3, 2008. Our first Annual Appeal was sent to town residents in the Fall of 2008. A Spring fundraising event, Tablescapes Luncheon, was held on April 30, 2009.