NATIONAL GARDEN PROJECT
 

In November of 1996, four members of National Council of State Garden Clubs, Inc. (NCSGC) met in Washington, D. C. to learn firsthand about plans for establishing a National Garden on a three-acre site adjacent to the United States Botanic Garden Conservatory. One of the purposes of the meeting was to determine if NCSGC could participate by raising funds for a Butterfly Garden, a project which would span four years during the terms of the next two NCSGC Presidents.

Those in attendance were Barbara Barnette (incoming President 1997-1999), Deen Day Smith (incoming President 1999-2001 and appointed to serve as National Garden Project Chairman), Gerry St. Peters (appointed to serve as Vice-Chairman), and Joan Craig (Shell/PETALS Chairman). Since Philip J. Carroll, President and CEO of Shell Oil Company, had suggested the possibility of NCSGC being involved with the National Garden, the meeting was held at the Shell Oil Company Headquarters in Washington, D. C. Also in attendance at the meeting were Stephen Ward, Vice President of Government Affairs for Shell Oil Company, Betty Lynn McHam, Shell Oil Company Program Manager, and Robert Hansen, Executive Director of the National Fund for the U. S. Botanic Garden (NFUSBG). A nonprofit tax-exempt organization, NFUSBG was established to be the primary vehicle for raising the necessary funds for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the National Garden.

We were impressed with the mission of the proposed National Garden: “To promote the great diversity of American plants and their importance to the environment, emphasize the need to conserve many plant species, and demonstrate how plants can be used to improve and enrich our daily lives.” The garden will feature an Environmental Learning Center, a Water Garden honoring America’s First Ladies, a Rose Garden exhibiting varieties of our national flower, the rose, and a Showcase Garden for flora and fauna native to the Mid-Atlantic region. Cost was estimated at ten million dollars.

Our plans for a Butterfly Garden were welcomed, and the area selected was along Maryland Avenue near the Lawn Terrace. Besides plants that attract butterflies, the plans included a bronze sundial and four benches featuring butterflies and roses. Informational materials would also be provided to educate the public on butterfly gardening.

With the acceptance of our Butterfly Garden plans, the challenge to raise the necessary funds began. It was determined that to be successful the project needed to be ready to implement at the very beginning of the 1997-1999 administration. With financial assistance of $50,000 from Shell Oil Company, the State Presidents for the 1997-1999 administration were taken to Washington, D. C. following the 1997 National Convention in South Carolina. They toured the site, were immersed in the plans, and left with an overabundance of enthusiasm. They were very instrumental in the success of the project.


To aid in promoting the National Garden Project, each state was provided with an informative folding display board to be used at state, district and club events, flower shows, symposiums, fairs, garden center displays, etc. Colorful brochures with a diagram of the proposed garden were supplied to each state. A booklet, Fun(d)raising Ideas for the National Garden, contained many innovative ideas to assist the clubs in raising funds, and at the same time, to enjoy the experience.

To raise funds, it was important to provide quality items for sale that would appeal to the general membership. Steve Bixby of Orion Marketing in Virginia had designed Christmas ornaments for Florida’s state federation. He was asked to design four limited edition ornaments for the National Garden, one for each of the years of the project—1997, 1998, 1999, 2000. The ornament sales created a great deal of revenue, and NFUSBG also sold our ornaments to the Senate and House Gift Shops. Selling price was $15, with cost ranging from $6.19 to $7.23 depending upon design. Each was accompanied by a brochure explaining the significance of the design and our involvement in the National Garden Project. Approximate quantities ordered were:
1997 – 7,800 1998 – 10,100 1999 – 5,800 2000 – 7,200
Members expressed a desire to display the ornaments, so Bob Saunders of Mr. Frame in Virginia designed a gold frame with green matting especially to hold two ornaments. Cost was $19.50 with selling price $30.

Since NCSGC would celebrate its 70th anniversary in 1999, a commemorative plate by Lenox was designed to benefit the National Garden. The 500 limited edition plates, which featured roses and bluebirds, cost $30 each and sold for $49.95.

Robert Hansen, NFUSBG Executive Director, provided our members with other opportunities to increase funds for the Butterfly Garden. One feature in the new garden will be the Nation’s Garden Path, an area where 500 4” x 10” engraved blue stone granite pavers will be placed. For a gift of $1,000, the name of an individual, club, state, etc. will be forever etched in stone and placed in the Nation’s Garden Path. For each paver purchased, NCSGC was credited $1,000. We are proud that pavers will bear the names of our clubs and members from every state in the nation.

A 1997 U. S. Botanic Garden Silver Dollar, a product of the U. S. Mint, was available either as a proof or incorporated into jewelry. Prices ranged from $42 to $69.95, and a $10 credit was given to NCSGC for each coin sold. For an annual membership fee of $40, one could become a Supporter of the National Garden (SONG). A credit of $8 was given for each membership sold.


NFUSBG also produced a National Garden Butterfly Pin, which we purchased from them at a cost of $4 each and sold for $8. Order forms were supplied to the states for all the above items being offered.

In celebration of the National Garden Project’s progress, special events were planned in Washington, D. C. for April of 1999. A symposium was held April 24 and 25 and a Standard Flower Show was held on April 24, followed by dinner. In attendance at the dinner was Alan Hantman, Architect of the Capitol, under whose jurisdiction lies the development of the National Garden.

On Sunday, April 25, President Barbara Barnette made a special presentation on the steps of the U. S. Capitol, where she unveiled the bronze sundial. A symbolic check was presented to the National Fund for the U. S. Botanic Garden representing the proceeds earned during the 1997-1999 administration. The amount was an astounding $357,228.13.

The support of our members continued throughout the 1999-2001 administration of Deen Day Smith. Four butterfly benches were purchased at a cost of $46,666.67. As of June 30, 2001, items sold to benefit the National Garden Project were: 332 pavers, 28,868 ornaments, 500 Lenox plates, 721 gold frames, 2,311 butterfly garden pins, 500 coins, 167 SONG memberships. Outright donations totaled over $49,000. Credit given to NCSGC by NFUSBG was $491,903.86.                                                                  

It was hoped that the National Garden would be completed at the end of four years. Original plans were to reopen the U. S. Botanic Garden Conservatory, which was undergoing renovation, simultaneously with the National Garden. However, the government’s plans changed, and the Conservatory was completed first and reopened in December of 2001.

During the 2001-2003 administration of Lois Dupre Shuster, it was decided to offer the individual states the opportunity to sell ornaments as a fundraiser for their own projects. Member Services handled the sales, with a percentage of the proceeds going to the National Garden Project. Steve Bixby designed two additional ornaments for us, now known as National Garden Clubs, Inc. (NGC). However, few states actually used the ornaments as a fundraiser and sales declined, so the ornaments were discontinued at the end of 2002. There were 3,200 ornaments purchased for 2001, and 3,000 for 2002.

Pavers continued to sell throughout the 2001-2003 administration. A total of 356 pavers were purchased by our regions, states, clubs and individual members.  

On August 29, 2002 information was made available to 30 contractors as potential bidders on construction of the National Garden. Bids were due October 10, 2002, and after government review, a contract was to be awarded the first part of 2003.

In February of 2003 we were saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected death of Robert Hansen, Executive Director of NFUSBG. He had been a staunch supporter of NGC, and had worked closely with our organization since November of 1996. Stephen Ward was later appointed to the position of Executive Director.

Delays resulted not only from the death of the Executive Director, but also as a consequence of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The grounds of the U. S. Botanic Gardens were designated as a part of the U. S. Capitol grounds, bringing added restrictions.

It was not until March 16, 2004 that a contract to build the National Garden was signed in the office of Alan Hantman, Architect of the Capitol. Construction was expected to take 24 months.

Because the cost of the National Garden, as originally designed, increased substantially (with added security being a significant element in the cost), a decision was made to construct the garden in phases.

Phase I began in April of 2004 and includes the Butterfly Garden, the pavers, Rose Garden, Lawn Terrace, Hornbeam Court, pergolas, contouring and ornamental fencing.

NFUSBG is committed to raising additional funds to complete Phase II, the Regional Garden, Phase III, the First Ladies’ Water Garden, and Phase IV, the Environmental Learning Center.

As of December 31, 2004, credit given to NGC by NFUSBG was $525,057.96. At the end of 2005, there was over $89,000 in the National Garden Project Account at Headquarters. These funds are to be used for providing informational materials to educate the public on butterfly gardening. It is our intent to make these materials available through the Conservatory.

We are anxiously anticipating the celebration planned at the National Garden September 28-30, 2006. This exciting National Garden Project was a tremendous success because of the enthusiastic response, overwhelming support, and extraordinary efforts of our members. We are deeply grateful to all.
 

Click here for photos
Gerry St. Peters
National Garden Project

January 2006