THE HISTORY OF THE WHITEFISH BAY GARDEN CLUB
The Whitefish Bay (WFB) Garden Club was founded in 1958. One of the Club's first projects was the establishment in 1968 of The Riveredge Nature Center in Ozaukee County which is still drawing crowds and just recently built a new environmental center. From a community meeting in 1965 organized by the Club and attended by school officials and interested organizations, two members, Isabel Lillie and Donna Hodgson, formed a committee that raised $15,000 for the down payment on 72 acres of land in Newberg, Wisconsin. Riveredge Nature Center was incorporated in 1968 as a nature sanctuary dedicated to understanding the environment and its needs through education. Today Riveredge encompasses 350 acres and serves over 13,000 students each year.
For many years, Whitefish Bay Garden Club members maintained the perennial gardens at the century-old farmhouse at the corner of Henry Clay and Ardmore Avenue in the style of the late 19th century. Although that farmhouse and its gardens no longer exist, in keeping with that tradition, the WFB Garden Club has started, promoted or collaborated on the following community projects:
For many years, Whitefish Bay Garden Club members maintained the perennial gardens at the century-old farmhouse at the corner of Henry Clay and Ardmore Avenue in the style of the late 19th century. Although that farmhouse and its gardens no longer exist, in keeping with that tradition, the WFB Garden Club has started, promoted or collaborated on the following community projects:
- Re-established the Butterfly Garden at Cahill Park
- Co-sponsored Village of Whitefish Bay Bird City recognition
- Weeded Klode Park Path to Lake Michigan and currently spearheaded "Weed Out" at Klode and other locations
- Co-sponsored the Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation's annual Green Day in the Bay
- Planted trees on Arbor Day at local schools
- Established Forget-Me-Not bouquets for WFB residents in need of TLC
- Created numerous fundraising activities, including three annual Chinese tea tastings and many handmade artisan goods such as leaf vessels
- Invited speakers, demonstrators and videos to educate members and the community
- Entered the annual Milwaukee Art Museum Art in Bloom competitions
- Won numerous Garden Club/Flower Awards and Recognition at the State level
- Hosted the first ever Garden Walk in the village in 2017.
