Credit Basking Ridge Garden Club.
In 1923, Calvin Coolidge was President of the United States, Yankee Stadium opened for the first time, and Bernards Township residents gathered to form the Basking Ridge Garden Club. A century later, congratulations to the Basking Ridge Garden Club on its landmark 100 years of service beautifying Basking Ridge and making the community a more beautiful place.
1923 Beginnings
The Basking Ridge Garden Club (BRGC) was founded in 1923 and became a charter member of The Garden Club of New Jersey when officially recognized in 1925. It is also a member of the Central Atlantic Region of National Garden Clubs, Inc. The club meets regularly throughout the year at the Basking Ridge schoolhouse, which later became the Bernards Township Municipal building, now the Brick Academy museum.
The club’s mission is to encourage the spirit of gardening, urge the preservation of our trees, birds, and wildflowers, be environmentally aware, and contribute to the beautification of the community. They have faithfully done this for 100 years.
The purpose of The Basking Ridge Garden Club is to encourage the spirit of gardening, to preserve our trees, birds, and wildflowers, to be environmentally aware, and to contribute to the beautification of our community.
Mision Statement – Basking Ridge Garden Club
Awards
Throughout the 100 years of community service, the Basking Ridge Garden Club has achieved numerous awards and accolades for their efforts on the national stage and in New Jersey. The National Council of State Garden Clubs has recognized the BRGC efforts a number of times throughout its history. Recognized for “the greening of Basking Ridge,” a two-year effort they performed for their 60th anniversary.
In 2019, the Basking Ridge Garden Club and its gardening work at a rock garden at the Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge were recognized with a runner up award from the National Garden Clubs, Inc. in the category “Civic Projects with Native Plants.”
Honoring the Basking Ridge Garden Club
Look for a number of exciting announcements, events, and gatherings throughout the year honoring the Basking Ridge Garden Club. The Club meets on the first Monday of every month at 9:30 a.m. at the Somerset County Environmental Education Center, 190 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge.
The BRGC activities include seasonal plantings of the township containers, providing holiday wreaths for public buildings in the township, planting and maintaining the Wandering Garden and containers at the VNA of Somerset Hills, and making arrangements four times a year for the Lyons VA Hospital. They also give two workshops yearly at the Senior Wellness Center and the Adult Day Center.
Centennial Celebrations
Several celebrations and events are underway throughout the year to honor the Basking Ridge Garden Club’s century mark. Look to the club’s website and social media for additional information. We can’t wait to see Mr. Local History’s gift to honor the BRGC, as we planted a garden in their honor just before the entrance to Basking Ridge village. Look for the red and gold bed in the Spring of 2023.
Additional Information
- Joining the Basking Ridge Garden Club is very simple. As a provisional member:
- No dues or membership fees.
- It shall be up to 6 months in duration beginning on the date of application submission.
- You shall have no voting privileges and cannot hold office or chair a committee.
- Provisional membership requirements, as outlined in the bylaws, are simple and are as follows: •
- Shall attend two general meetings (usually the first Monday morning of the month).
- Shall work in civic gardens.
- I shall attend 1 session of garden therapy.
- Shall participate in 1 fundraiser.
- Join the Basking Ridge Garden Club today – Download a Membership Form
Follow the Basking Ridge Garden Club on Facebook –Click Here
Related MLH stories
Follow the Bernardsville Garden Club- they turn 100 in 2030 – Click Here
The Mr. Local History Project has an entire section on its website dedicated to the history of Bernards Township – Read More
Thank you for decorating our lives for 100 years! You are all an enduring bouquet that blooms throughout our beautiful town. Thank you with heartfelt gratitude.