About us

On Saturday, October 12, 1957, a group of representatives of some of the Garden Clubs of the State of Texas met in the home of Rev. and Mrs. E. C. Estell Sr., 2709 Thomas Ave., Dallas, Texas to perfect an organization known as the State Federation of Garden Clubs, Incorporated. Mrs. D. Boyd presided over the meeting.

Representatives were present from Garden Clubs of Houston and Dallas. Mrs. J. W. White brought greetings from the Houston Clubs and gave some highlights of their work; among these were their participation in the Annual Civic Show. Their slogan, a garden in every yard, a plant in every home, a blossom on every table.” Mrs. L.V. White spoke for the Dallas Council of Garden Clubs. A short program prevailed, Mrs. D. W. Boyd of Dallas spoke of the standards for Garden Clubs, and Mrs. H. E. W. Johnson of Dallas described literature for a Garden Club. The group joined in singing “My God and I.”

Officers elected were as follows: Mrs. D.W. Boyd (Dallas) President, Mrs. J.W. White (Houston) Second – Vice President, Mrs. A. L. Blackburn, ( Dallas) Third Vice-President, Mrs. H.E.W. Johnson (Dallas) Recording Secretary, Mrs. Rosa Lee King (Houston) Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. M.F. Adams (Dallas) Treasurer.

A committee on By-Laws was appointed as follows: Mrs. L.V. White, Dallas; Mesdames E.M. Smith, M. Wedgeworth, J.W. White, V. Freeman, E.C.Estell Sr., H.EW. Johnson, Mrs. Calloway, Mrs. Vaughn and Mae Taylor.

Plans were discussed for a spring meeting to be held in Dallas. This was to be the first annual regular meeting for the organization.

Annual dues for each club was set at $3.00 per year. There was a call meeting held in the home of the Secretary on November 30, 1957. The purpose of this was to further work on perfecting the State Organization. The group consisted of the representatives from various clubs of the state. The highpoints of the meeting was the report of the Committee on By-Laws, which was as follows: (1) only those clubs whose state dues are paid by April 1, are eligible for awards, (2) The fiscal year shall be from April 1, to March 31, (3) Clubs that are not financial on April 1, are to be sent notices. If they are still not financial after 30 days they are to be dropped. A reinstatement fee of $2.00 will be charged. (4) City Councils shall accept only those clubs willing to affiliate with the state organization. The motion for acceptance of the recommendations was made by Mrs. Jeffrey of Dallas and seconded by Mrs. E. Dillard of Dallas and Mrs. Rosa King of Houston.

The following committee chairs were then appointed: Mrs. Maurice Jeffrey, Awards, Mrs. Maggi Garth, Church Gardens, Mrs. J. M. Campbell, Club Programs and Projects; Mrs. Rosa King, State Pilgrimages, Mrs. E.M. Smith State Conservation, Mrs. E.R. Wedgeworth Flower Shows, Mrs. L.V. White Flower Show Schools; Mrs. H. E. W. Johnson, Garden Center; Mrs. L.G. Pinkston Garden Therapy (Work with the Blind), Mrs. Arthur L. Mills, Historian, Mrs. E.C. Estell Horticulture, Mrs. Anna B. Spencer, Hospitality, Mrs. J.W. White, Junior Gardens; Mrs. E.C.Dillard, Lecturers, Mrs. A. L. Blackburn; Legislation, Mrs. Erma Neal Convention; Mrs. Earline Livingston Endowment Fund, Mrs. L.B. Smith, Publicity, Mrs,. Nellie Patterson, Resolutions, Mrs. Roy Lay, Parliamentarian.

There were 12 clubs registered during the call meeting; Houston 8, Dallas 4, Mrs. D.W. Boyd, President presided; Mrs. H.E.W. Johnson, Secretary.

The first regular spring meeting convened at the St. John Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas, April 26, 1958. The Iris Garden Club serving as hostess. The highlights of the meeting were the reports of all committees appointed during the call meeting. The workshop in the afternoon and the speech given by the president, Mrs. D.W. Boyd.

The number of clubs registered 17, Clubs paid for charter, 19; Persons registered by clubs 49; Cities and towns represented were Houston, Dallas, Sherman and Longview.

NOTE: This information comes from an article in the “Post Tribune” dated Saturday, February 22, 1975 entitled “A Little Bit of History About Texas Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc.”