75 years of The Beaufort Garden Club 1934-2009: The Plant Exchange
The Beaufort Garden Club’s Plant Exchange
In the late 1930s The Beaufort Garden Club was five years old and Beaufort was an economically broken community trying to crawl out of the Great Depression. Money was very tight. In spite of it all, the women of The Beaufort Garden Club defied the odds and found a bright spot. After getting azaleas planted around town, these indomitable women pushed forward another way to beautify Beaufort. They decided, at the suggestion of a lady with exceptional foresight, to sponsor a “Plant Exchange” for the town.
This was the plan:
- Reserve the Community Club for a day. (The Community Club was situated on Carteret Street, where the county library now stands.)
- Have all club members bring as many potted plants as possible, the plant stock coming from members’ individual gardens.
- Display the plants on tables for the public to look through.
- Have knowledgeable club members on hand to explain the care of various plants when asked.
- And–here’s the best part–GIVE THE PLANT, FREE OF CHARGE, TO ANY INTERESTED PERSON.
You’re probably wondering, Why?
You see, there was a method in their madness.
The purpose of this generosity was to encourage Beaufortonians to take their “green treasures” home, nurture them, watch them grow, and find joy in the many ways plants added color, interest, and beauty to their properties and their lives. It was hoped that these “new gardeners” would be inspired to continue this trend on their own.
The Plant Exchange not only gave joy to those who received the plants, but joy to those who wanted to share their passion for plants and flowers, as well. It was a win-win situation all around.
In all my research I was never able to find out who was the master-mind behind this ingenious idea. I would have loved to have met this brilliant woman, maybe even share a watermelon martini with her.
Years later, in the early 1970s, the Plant Exchange morphed into a Plant Auction, an intra-club fundraiser. This fun-filled project, which still continues today, is an excellent means of accruing funds for various club activities. It is amazing to behold just how much a sister club member will bid for someone’s prize plant.
Carol Boone is a member of The Beaufort Garden Club. She is assisting with the club’s publicity for its 75th anniversary to make sure everyone in the Beaufort community knows what a vital contribution the members have made for 75 years to beautifying beautiful Beaufort by the sea.
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