Our History
The first meeting of Falls Church Garden Club was held in Madison School Auditorium on Friday, April 21, 1950 with 20 people in attendance. A planning committee was appointed, met within days, and presented a “standard garden club constitution with a few alterations” to the May membership meeting. According to Article II of the Constitution the objective of the Club is to “stimulate knowledge and interest in gardening and horticulture and to promote horticultural improvements in the vicinity.
” Records show that the Executive Committee and Club each met monthly and presented a Fall Garden and Flower Show annually. From 44 club members in 1950, the club membership rose to 161 in December 1951 and waxed and waned through the years. In memory of past presidents, books on garden-related subjects were purchased and presented to Mary Riley Styles Public Library. Annual dinners and picnics were always a part of the club’s activities. Tours of member’s gardens and regional gardens occurred regularly.
(cut the red words?)
Our Mission
The objectives of the Falls Church Garden Club shall be:
(a) to stimulate interest in and to acquire knowledge in horticulture;
(b) to promote the artistic use of plant material to beautify the home
and community;
(c) to participate in civic improvement and conservation practices; and
(d) to serve as a medium for cooperative buying of seeds, plants, and
garden supplies.
By-Laws, Article II
Our Structure
2026 Officers
President: Robert Gottel
Vice President: Margaret Schwartz
Secretary: Judy Shapleigh
Treasurer: Peng Si Highman
Standing Committees
Accounting auditor: Kathleen McBride
Membership and yearbook editor: Norm Young
Newsletter editor: Eva Novak
Plant sale co-chairs: Robert Gottel, Carol Bruch,
and Stephanie Lane
Publicity: Lizz Brooks
Garden tour coordinator: Eva Novak
Program & media co-chairs: Joy Erdman, Pat Laane, and Chris Galvan
Hospitality: Gail Banks and Karen Kinsey
Webmasters: Patti Galvan and Chris Galvan
Facebook administrator: Diane Hill
W&OD Trail: Robert Gottel
Dig co-coordinators: Sarah Moore and
Elisabeth Freed
