The Civic Beautification and Projects Committee develops interest of club members in civic planning and planting. The committee plants and maintains town planters with seasonal plant material. Annually, with the Horticulture Committee, inspects landscaping previously planted by the club and reports to the Executive Comittee any necessary maintenance or replacement. The committee cooperates with public officials and enlists help of other organizations to broaden the scope of future town projects. Gathers information on proposed projects (i.e. budget, feasibility, time frame, suitability etc.) and prepares a presentation on the proposed project and presents it to the Executive Committee for consideration. If appropriate, oversees the execution and completion of projects approved by the LGC Executive Committee. (from the Policies and Procedures Handbook)
A History of The Litchfield Garden Club from its founding in 1913, the Litchfield Garden Club has had a history of planting trees and shrubs in our community. The first project, undertaken with the Village Improvement Society in 1914, was the planting of 50 shrubs and trees at the then important hub of town, the Shepaug Railroad Station. In the 1930’s and 40’s, when it was discovered that many of the beautiful elms gracing the main streets of Litchfield were falling victim to the Dutch Elm disease, club emphasis was placed on treating, preserving and replacing these trees. We hope you will visit our Treescape page to read the history of tree planting through 2017.
our Community Planters!
For decades, members of The Litchfield Garden Club (LGC) have placed seasonal plantings in Litchfield’s three oversized concrete planters on West Street and the Urn on Norfolk Road. Several years ago the Urn was damaged and needed to be replaced.
Click to enlarge images and for captions.
Click to enlarge images and for captions.
More on the Urn on Norfolk Rd. In early 2021, the horse trough (turned planter/URN) at the top of North Street was hit by a truck and knocked off its pedestal and cracked into pieces. A number of pieces of the planter were removed from the scene and taken to the Litchfield Public Works garage area for future reference in restoring this historical element of Litchfield’s early history. Over the next three plus years, the Litchfield Garden Club researched possible stone masons who were willing to take on the project. Following consultations with various stone masons in the area, it was determined that the trough was not able to be repaired, the search for how to replicate the granite trough began. The Litchfield Garden Club has been planting seasonal flowers in the trough since the early 1950’s and our club decided to take on the challenge. Little did we know it would take over three years to finally say “we did it”. During those that time, the LGC submitted to the Historic District Commission plans to restore the trough. Drew Harlow and Ellen Oneglia, members of the Projects Committee, interviewed stone masons who showed an interest in this endeavor.
Once the granite was secured, LGC member Julia Metcalf, an architect, drew a scale model from original pictures of the planter. Brett Seaman from the Litchfield Public Works Department was instrumental in securing the granite base for the instillation. First Selectwoman Denise Rapp helped with obtaining permission from the Connecticut Department of Transportation and the instillation was finally completed this month. This project truly embodies the saying ‘It takes a village to get things done’ in Litchfield.
Mission accomplished: New planter in place
Images by John McKenna
Members of the Litchfield Garden Club were joined by First Selectman Denise Raap celebrating the new granite flower planter at the intersection of North Street and Norfolk Road.
Once the granite was secured, LGC member Julia Metcalf, an architect, drew a scale model from original pictures of the planter. Brett Seaman from the Litchfield Public Works Department was instrumental in securing the granite base for the instillation. First Selectwoman Denise Rapp helped with obtaining permission from the Connecticut Department of Transportation and the instillation was finally completed this month. This project truly embodies the saying ‘It takes a village to get things done’ in Litchfield.
Mission accomplished: New planter in place
Images by John McKenna
Members of the Litchfield Garden Club were joined by First Selectman Denise Raap celebrating the new granite flower planter at the intersection of North Street and Norfolk Road.
The trough on the westernmost side of the Town Green is a granite monument that dates to 1890. It was erected by the Village Improvement Society to mark the arrival of public water to the center of town from a Litchfield Water Company reservoir on Norfolk Road. A pipe leading to the monument filled the trough with water for horses.
Spring of 2024: Planting Meadow Street and the Trough for spring color. Pansy’s were planted around red twig dogwood sticks and greens. Rosamond Quay was there but camera shy.
Click to enlarge images and for captions
Spring of 2024: Planting Meadow Street and the Trough for spring color. Pansy’s were planted around red twig dogwood sticks and greens. Rosamond Quay was there but camera shy.
Click to enlarge images and for captions
The Old Railroad Station
The history of the old Railroad Station that is now being lovingly renovated by the Litchfield Land Trust. The Litchfield Garden Club planted fifty trees and bushes at the then-bustling station one hundred and ten years ago. This was the Club’s first Civic Project. Lots had happened there in the intervening years, but here we are at the station again, with the opportunity to collaborate with the Litchfield Land Trust on some landscaping. This project will most likely be accomplished in several stages over a period of a couple of years.
The first step is to identify the appropriate areas and the plantings possible. Once a preliminary planting plan and cost estimates are established, information will become available to all members. The goal is to complete this first stage June 2024. Read more
Click HERE for the history of the old Railroad Station.
Click the images below to enlarge for for captions.
The first step is to identify the appropriate areas and the plantings possible. Once a preliminary planting plan and cost estimates are established, information will become available to all members. The goal is to complete this first stage June 2024. Read more
Click HERE for the history of the old Railroad Station.
Click the images below to enlarge for for captions.
arbor day 2023
"It Takes a Village to Raise a Tree”. President Susan Magary gave a dedication speech for the propagated sycamore tree on Arbor Day. Several members of our club gathered in front of the Tapping Reeve Law School to dedicate a tree that was nurtured from a cutting of the sole surviving sycamore tree planted in 1779 by Oliver Wolcott, Jr. Susan’s speech highlights our members who cared for the tree and its history.
Read REMARKS about the dedication of the tree
Click images below to enlarge and for captions.
Read REMARKS about the dedication of the tree
Click images below to enlarge and for captions.
The Litchfield Garden Club has a long history of participation in many projects that benefit the community of Litchfield. Below are some of the projects of which we are proudest!
The Cemetery Project
In the Spring of 2021, The Projects and Beautification Committee went to the West Street Cemetery to survey the chapel for a project. The West Street Cemetery Association in conjunction with the Scherr-Thoss grant refurbished the chapel. Our committee decided to plant a pear tree in an espalier form. The pear tree was chosen for it symbolizes spirituality, its roots are the memories, its branches the visions and its blooms the dreams. A pear espalier was planted along the East facing brick wall next to the chapel door. In order to prepare the site, we had to repurpose the soil and then hired a contractor to create a steel frame along the brick wall. Lush patches of creeping myrtle were planted around the tree and Belgian blocks created a framework to complete the project. This project will be ongoing, as the tree will have to be properly maintained. Our goal is to have a workshop with Conservation, Horticulture, provisionals and open to our members as how to prune the espalier.
Skating Rink Project
December, 2019. Projects/Civic Beautification Committee finalized plans for the benches and cubbies at the skating rink behind the town hall. Lynne Sherman (Committee Chair) received the necessary approvals by September 20th to refurbish the benches and shoe cubbies. On December 12th, Lynne met with Michael Smith of Woodmaster Builders to explore the area and submit a project cost estimate. The contract was signed, the weather cooperated and the three-day project was completed on December 17th.
History of the rink: For many years during the winter months, residents of the town of Litchfield used a frozen pond on West Street as a skating rink. In the mid-1980’s a new CVS Pharmacy Building was constructed on that parcel of land. To continue the skating tradition, Litchfield Bancorp donated a portable skating rink to the town, which was installed on South Plains Road near the existing soccer fields.
Residents preferred a more central location for the rink. In 2003, it was moved directly behind the Town Hall on West Street. After a few additional years of use, Litchfield’s Department of Public Works (DPW) began discussing the need to replace the deteriorating rink. Enter Justin Cosgrove whose grandfather Henry Brun worked for the DPW. A member of Boy Scout Troop #29 in Bantam CT, Justin needed a project to acquire his Eagle Scout Award. Under the direction of his scoutmaster (and Dad) Jim Cosgrove and his mentor Craig Miner, Justin designed a plan that replaced the existing rink by moving it further north on the Town Hall property to an elevated site. He also sketched out seating, a fire pit, shoe cubbies & plantings around the newly installed skating rink. Read more on the history of the rink.
See images below.
History of the rink: For many years during the winter months, residents of the town of Litchfield used a frozen pond on West Street as a skating rink. In the mid-1980’s a new CVS Pharmacy Building was constructed on that parcel of land. To continue the skating tradition, Litchfield Bancorp donated a portable skating rink to the town, which was installed on South Plains Road near the existing soccer fields.
Residents preferred a more central location for the rink. In 2003, it was moved directly behind the Town Hall on West Street. After a few additional years of use, Litchfield’s Department of Public Works (DPW) began discussing the need to replace the deteriorating rink. Enter Justin Cosgrove whose grandfather Henry Brun worked for the DPW. A member of Boy Scout Troop #29 in Bantam CT, Justin needed a project to acquire his Eagle Scout Award. Under the direction of his scoutmaster (and Dad) Jim Cosgrove and his mentor Craig Miner, Justin designed a plan that replaced the existing rink by moving it further north on the Town Hall property to an elevated site. He also sketched out seating, a fire pit, shoe cubbies & plantings around the newly installed skating rink. Read more on the history of the rink.
See images below.
The Project Committee Planted Daffodils
On Monday, October 21, 2019 several members of the Project/Civic Beautification Committee met at the Community Field to plant daffodil bulbs. Yellow trumpet daffodils that bloom in April were chosen. The Marieke narcissus is 18-20 inches and is a brilliant yellow. Four hundred bulbs were planted. Kent Green House prepared the bulb beds.
Three hundred bulbs are symbolic of the 300th anniversary of Litchfield and were arranged around at the entrance of the Community Field with day lilies interspersed. One hundred bulbs were planted around the flag pole for the 100th anniversary of the Suffragettes.
Dale Ryan and Lynne Sherman, Committee Chairs, want to thank Annie Borzilleri, Susan Magary, Polly Brooks, Nan Skeie, Rose Brooks, Sylvia Abbott, and Frank Fontana for their dedication and time to this project.
Enjoy the images below of the planting - click to enlarge.
Three hundred bulbs are symbolic of the 300th anniversary of Litchfield and were arranged around at the entrance of the Community Field with day lilies interspersed. One hundred bulbs were planted around the flag pole for the 100th anniversary of the Suffragettes.
Dale Ryan and Lynne Sherman, Committee Chairs, want to thank Annie Borzilleri, Susan Magary, Polly Brooks, Nan Skeie, Rose Brooks, Sylvia Abbott, and Frank Fontana for their dedication and time to this project.
Enjoy the images below of the planting - click to enlarge.
The Litchfield Garden Club Restores Wild Flower Preservation Garden Monument
In 1913, Litchfield Garden Club (LGC) member May White & her brother, Honorary Member Alain C. White, purchased multiple farms surrounding their family’s summer estate and created the White Memorial Foundation (WMF) as a nature preserve. The WMF leased a 150-acre site to the LGC in 1922 “for the creation and maintenance of a wild garden, containing trees, shrubs and flowers native to Connecticut and to Litchfield County in particular.” The tract of land became The Litchfield Wild Flower Preservation Garden.
Professor Henry S. Munro, a retired professor from Columbia University’s School of Mines and Engineering and Honorary Member of the LGC, became the first chairman of the club’s Wild Garden Committee (WGC). He devoted the last ten years of his life to developing the garden which boasted more than 500 flowering plants, numerous native trees and large colonies of shrubs at the time of his death in 1933.
Throughout the 1930’s and 1940’s the LGC held numerous fundraisers to benefit the project, organized and led garden trips for school children and held student essay and poster contests. Many visitors have enjoyed walks through the garden, LGC Flower Shows were held near the upper entrance on Old South Road and picnics were hosted by the LGC.
In 1946, the WMF began to dismantle the Wild Flower Preservation Garden and a new lease was signed for a smaller tract of land. The LGC was unable to continue the expenses of maintaining the site, turned down a lease renewal, transferred any remaining funds to the newly organized Litchfield Wild Garden Association and eventually into a town fund.
The monument dedicated to the Wild Flower Preservation Garden was a gift from Mrs. Safford in memory of her husband, a lover of wildflowers. The plaque on the stone reads, “The kiss of the sun for pardon, the song of the birds for mirth, you are nearer God’s heart in a garden, than anywhere else on earth. A plea for the wildflowers; site of the 1925 Litchfield Garden Club Wild Flower Preservation Garden, leading the way in the National Conservation Movement.”
In 2015, the LGC Projects Committee, led by Victoria Sansing, began the painstaking process of relocating the obscured monument from its original site to a more visible area on the corner of Old South Road and Gallows Lane. The four-year project culminated in a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 18, 2019.
Article written by Doreen Tango Hampton
Enjoy the images below - click to enlarge.
Professor Henry S. Munro, a retired professor from Columbia University’s School of Mines and Engineering and Honorary Member of the LGC, became the first chairman of the club’s Wild Garden Committee (WGC). He devoted the last ten years of his life to developing the garden which boasted more than 500 flowering plants, numerous native trees and large colonies of shrubs at the time of his death in 1933.
Throughout the 1930’s and 1940’s the LGC held numerous fundraisers to benefit the project, organized and led garden trips for school children and held student essay and poster contests. Many visitors have enjoyed walks through the garden, LGC Flower Shows were held near the upper entrance on Old South Road and picnics were hosted by the LGC.
In 1946, the WMF began to dismantle the Wild Flower Preservation Garden and a new lease was signed for a smaller tract of land. The LGC was unable to continue the expenses of maintaining the site, turned down a lease renewal, transferred any remaining funds to the newly organized Litchfield Wild Garden Association and eventually into a town fund.
The monument dedicated to the Wild Flower Preservation Garden was a gift from Mrs. Safford in memory of her husband, a lover of wildflowers. The plaque on the stone reads, “The kiss of the sun for pardon, the song of the birds for mirth, you are nearer God’s heart in a garden, than anywhere else on earth. A plea for the wildflowers; site of the 1925 Litchfield Garden Club Wild Flower Preservation Garden, leading the way in the National Conservation Movement.”
In 2015, the LGC Projects Committee, led by Victoria Sansing, began the painstaking process of relocating the obscured monument from its original site to a more visible area on the corner of Old South Road and Gallows Lane. The four-year project culminated in a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 18, 2019.
Article written by Doreen Tango Hampton
Enjoy the images below - click to enlarge.
Wildflower garden monument in public view again
A stone monument that was all but forgotten in the woods at the corner of Old South Road and Gallows Lane has been rescued by the Litchfield Garden Club with the help of Towne and Aurell Excavating. The monument marked the entrance to a 150-acre wildflower garden extending downhill to Little Pond and across the Bantam River to what is now land owned by the White Memorial Foundation. The garden club leased the property from Alain and May White beginning in the 1920s and maintained the garden until the early 1950s, when lack of funding led the club to give up the task.
Current garden club members knew of the history of the garden and were aware of the monument's presence. The club decided to move the monument out of the woods and display it on a patch of town land at the corner of Old South Road and Gallows Lane.
Reported by LItchfield.bz
Click images below to enlarge and for caption.
Current garden club members knew of the history of the garden and were aware of the monument's presence. The club decided to move the monument out of the woods and display it on a patch of town land at the corner of Old South Road and Gallows Lane.
Reported by LItchfield.bz
Click images below to enlarge and for caption.
2019 Earth Day
Several members of the Civic Projects Committee were present.
Members pictured L-R: Maryanne McNeill, Rosamond Quay, June Dalton-Morris, Margy Miner, Jane Hinkel, Nan Skeie, Ellen Oneglia, Frank Fontana, Lynne Sherman, Tonja Curry, Bruce Bennett (Kent Greenhouse), Nancy Rath and Drew Harlow. |
April 22, 2019 was Earth Day. On Monday, April 22, 2019, the Civic Beautification and Projects Committee of the Litchfield Garden Club (LGC) celebrated Earth Day with the students from grades K-3 at Litchfield Center School. Drew Harlow organized the event and introduced guest speaker Bruce Bennett, owner of Kent Greenhouse in Kent CT.
A ceremony was scheduled to take place in front of the school around the chinquapin oak (Quercus muhlenbergii). Wrapped in an oversized green bow in honor of Earth Day, the oak is one of 150 native specimens planted as part of the LGC ongoing Treescape project to enhance the town center and gateways. In addition to the oak, the LGC planted fifteen trees in 2018. The students were encouraged to watch the progress of “their” tree over the coming years. Due to inclement weather, the event was moved indoors. |
The students had been prepped by their science teacher on the significance of Earth Day and the role of trees in the world’s ecosystem. The program promoted environmental awareness while celebrating the planting of trees. The students received a tree planting lesson that reinforced the importance of trees in our immediate location and ultimately the planet as a whole.
At the conclusion of the program each student received a pencil that was stamped with Plant-A-Tree. Earth Day stickers were also distributed. Many LGC members were present including several members of the Civic Beautification and Projects Committee.
At the conclusion of the program each student received a pencil that was stamped with Plant-A-Tree. Earth Day stickers were also distributed. Many LGC members were present including several members of the Civic Beautification and Projects Committee.
Two Red Maples can now call Litchfield Community Field home
Thanks to Raz Alexi, Litchfield DPW Town Engineer, two trees that did not survive, were removed to make way for the new maples. On November 30, 2018, Kent Greenhouse got to work ensuring the trees would be tucked in before winter’s freeze.
Partial funding for this project was made possible by the generosity of the Seherr-Thoss Foundation.
Partial funding for this project was made possible by the generosity of the Seherr-Thoss Foundation.
South Street traffic island - Eyesore no more!
In the Spring of 2014, Victoria Sansing and the LGC Projects Committee moved forward with a civic project to reconstruct the South Street traffic island. Monies raised through various LGC civic fundraising events were earmarked to cover the cost of the project. After a lengthy process of gaining approvals from both local and state agencies, construction commenced in Spring 2016. The project was successfully completed in two weeks.
The island was transformed from unattractive to attractive and was planted with perennials. With the requirement that nothing grow more than 2 1/2 ft in height, the sun-loving plantings included stella d’oro daylilies, autumn joy sedum, grasses, compact spreading cotoneaster, dwarf spirea and small mounding spruce. The island now affords a pleasing four-season view to pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
Enjoy the images below!
The island was transformed from unattractive to attractive and was planted with perennials. With the requirement that nothing grow more than 2 1/2 ft in height, the sun-loving plantings included stella d’oro daylilies, autumn joy sedum, grasses, compact spreading cotoneaster, dwarf spirea and small mounding spruce. The island now affords a pleasing four-season view to pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
Enjoy the images below!
Garden Club restores monument on Litchfield Green
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The Litchfield Garden Club's latest act of community service involves a granite monument that has stood on the west end of the Green since 1890.
Wording on the monument explains how it was erected by the Village Improvement Society to mark the arrival of public water to the center of town from a Litchfield Water Co. reservoir on Norfolk Road. A pipe leading to the monument filled a trough at its top with water for horses. But no one knew the history because the wording was obscured by years of grime and lichen. The garden club, which has maintained the trough as a planter for many years, decided it was time to clean the monument so the wording could be read. The club hired Ciesco Memorials of Torrington for the job, which was completed at the end of September. An acid-based stone cleaner and a power washer were used for the cleaning. Victoria Sansing, chairman of the garden club's civic beautification and projects committee coordinated the effort. |
Litchfield Garden Club president Sara Gault, right, and Victoria Sansing, chairman of the garden club's civic beautification and projects committee, at the newly-cleaned monument on the Green.
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projects we support
The Litchfield Garden Club has long been actively involved in many civic projects in and around the town of Litchfield. The following is a list of recent Civic Fund and Community Service Projects:
- Continuous funding for the Litchfield Action Plan for the Town Green
- Benches and Period Light Fixtures for the Litchfield Green
- Funding of lectures and field day at White Memorial Conservation Center for sixth graders
- Planting seeds and bulbs with fourth graders
- Planting and maintenance of town watering troughs spring, summer and fall
- Bulb plantings at Litchfield Middle School, High School, Firehouse, Connecticut Junior Republic, Tannery Brook, Wells Run, McAuliff Manor, Community Center, and Oliver Wolcott Library
- Tree Planting at Bantam Borough Hall, Litchfield Center School, the Litchfield Green, and Community Field
- Earth Week Activities
- Tree Inventory
- Treescape
- Pollinator Project at White Memorial
- Deer resistant plantings at Wisdom House
- Planting of paperwhite narcisses with first graders
- Landscape plan and implementation for municipal parking lot south of West Street
- The Garden Club of American General Scholarship Fund
- The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut Scholarship Fund and Garden Therapy Fund
- Student Conservation Association
- Bellany-Ferriday Gardens
- Elizabeth Park Rose Garden
- Housatonic Valley Association
- The Litchfield Treescape Project
- Litchfield High School Envirothon Team
- Condition report for trees on the Green
- White Memorial education program for sixth grade students
The Litchfield Garden Club, Inc. ~ PO Box 848 ~ Litchfield, CT 06759
email: [email protected]
email: [email protected]
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