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Mass Hort and the Flower Show in the News |
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Mass Hort's 'Sowing the Seeds of Change' Exhibit at the Flower Show |
WELLESLEY, MA, March 3, 2013
This year, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society's exhibit at the Boston Flower and Garden Show will highlight the Society's 184-year legacy leading the charge to bring the fruits of horticulture into the lives of ordinary citizens. In line with the Flower Show's "Seeds of Change" theme, the exhibit provides insight on the social influence of horticulture through the Society's compelling history and its current programs. The show is open daily from March 13 -17th at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston.
Called "Sowing the Seeds of Change", the exhibit comprises seven garden vignettes that interpret historical events and their connection to horticulture in the 21st century. Mass Hort developed the vignettes in collaboration with several designers and organizations. They include Julie Moir Messervy and Jana Bryan of Julie Moir Messervy Design Studio, Paul Miskovsky of Miskovsky Landscaping, Marisa McCoy of the GFCA,; Marlon Garcia of Whole Foods Market, and four alumni designers representing the Landscape Institute of BAC, including Suzanne Higham, Olga Martins, Darcy Paige, and Dan Stephens. Sponsors for this exhibit are Bartlett Tree Experts and Mystic Scenic.
The exhibit's 7 garden vignettes highlight Mass Hort's founding in 1829, the creation of Mount Auburn Cemetery in 1831, noteworthy exhibitions and flower shows, the Window Gardening Movement of the 1870s, School Yard Experiment of 1897, Depression Era Vegetable Gardens and the Victory Gardens of World Wars I and II, and Mass Hort's Gardens at Elm Bank.
The Beginnings, 1829 , illustrates Mass Hort's agricultural roots and its founders' intent to improve the quality and quantity of fruits and vegetables available at the markets in Boston, and will showcase a market cart designed by Whole Foods Market of Wellesley. The 21st Century also finds Mass Hort focusing on contemporary issues such as organic gardening, cultivation, health and local foods. Mass Hort runs the Wellesley Farmer Market.
Mount Auburn Cemetery, 1831 , founded by Mass Hort to address the need for alternate burial grounds in Boston, introducing the "garden cemetery" concept as a beautiful, landscaped resting place.
Exhibitions, 1843 , tell the story of early exhibitions, where people came together to learn about new and improved varieties of plants, fruits, and vegetables, including the introduction of the Concord Grape. A Victorian flower arrangement will illustrate "flower shows" and invite the public to see the floral competitions at today's show in Conference Center.
Window Gardening Movement, 1878 , This charitable effort, started by a Mrs. Harriet Wolcott, was conceived of as a way to brighten urban tenement windows with flowers, and help children learn about plants and their care. A "tenement house" and modern day urban green urban space depicts the greening of urban spaces to improve the lives of city dwellers of all backgrounds.
School Yard Movement, 1891 , the Society established a committee on school gardens with Henry L. Clapp, principal of the Putnam School in Roxbury. Mr. Clapp encouraged children to work cooperatively in school gardens and learn about plants and gardening while enjoying the fresh air. This effort continues today at Mass Hort as with the many organizations that are encouraging school gardens and student involvement with plants and the environment.
Vegetable Gardens and Victory Gardens, 1930-1940s, During the Great Depression, Mass Hort's members helped establish vegetable gardens in some of Boston's neighborhoods. In the later 1940s, the Society led the charge for Victory Gardens to boost food production and nutrition. Mass Hort is contributing to today's local food movement with its Garden to Table program, which encourages cooking and preserving from the home garden. In 2012, Mass Hort donated over 3,500 pounds of produce harvested from its Chef's and Food Pantry Gardens to local food pantries.
The Gardens at Elm Bank, 1998 - today , will be illustrated by the "Bressingham Garden" to invite people of all ages and backgrounds to Mass Hort's 36-acre campus in Wellesley to learn from and enjoy the beauty of gardens and landscapes.
In additional to its exhibit, Massachusetts Horticultural Society oversees all of the amateur competitions at the Boston Flower and Garden Show. These competitions include: Amateur Horticulture and Structures, including Junior Horticulture, Photography, Floral Design I (Garden Federation members) and Floral Design II (open classes), and Miniature Gardens. There will also be an Ikebana Exhibit of Japanese flower arranging. The competitive classes are held in the Conference Center at the rear of the Seaport World Trade Center Exhibit Hall.
Mass Hort's children's exhibit will also be located in the Conference Center and feature "The Big Red Chair" (Lilly Tomlin-style for those older children), a sensory potted garden and fun activities to engage younger horticultural enthusiasts in the wonderful world of plants.
Massachusetts Horticultural Society's mission is to encourage the science and practice of horticulture and to develop the public's enjoyment, appreciation, and understanding of plants and the environment. Mass Hort is a 501 (c)(3) educational institution supported by members, donors, and foundations. Mass Hort is located on the 36-acre Elm Bank Estate, at 900 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA. The property, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is surrounded on three sides by the Charles River and includes significant historical landscapes, buildings, and contemporary gardens for education and enjoyment.
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Mass Hort President Guest on The Point with Mindy Todd |
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Kathy
Macdonald, President of Massachusetts Horticultural Society, and Paul
Miskovsky, of Miskovsky Landscaping and Mass Hort Trustee, were guests
on The Point with Mindy Todd on March 7th to talk about the upcoming flower show. Click here to listen to the interview.
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Mass Hort and Elm Bank Featured in Boston Globe |
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The Boston Globe recently published a full-length story about the Gardens at Elm Bank highlighting many of the beautfiul gardens we nurture as part of the Society's mission. The article also has extensive quotes from our executive director, Katherine Macdonald, about the gardens and the future direction of Mass Hort. |
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