Our History

Sponsored a Children’s Community Garden at the Community Garden. Donated to the Community Garden to help fund an irrigation system and for seed purchases.

Gertie, the Club’s entry in the Downtown Association’s scarecrow contest won first prize.

Developed and installed the West End Welcome project at Highways 99W & 18

Paid for a brick in the courtyard of the McMinnville Public Library as part of their centennial celebration.

Paid for a concrete planter on Third Street in honor of Rose Marie Caughran who cared for the trees on Third Street.

Donated a bench at the McMinnville Public Library in memory of Janice Hudson.

Paid for the renovation including a new cooper roof of one of the kiosks on Third Street.

Donated a public bench in front of the McMinnville Police Department.

Designed the yard of a Habitat family after working with the family to learn their wants. Donated some of the supplies and helped with the planting.

Helped the Sunshine Morning Rotary Club plant native plants and trees in the wetland at Joe Dancer Park.

Erected a lamppost on Third Street plus a post for two hanging baskets in front of Cozine House A plaque was attached to the post at the entrance to Joe Dancer Park. The Club paid for the baskets at Cozine House until the city took over.

Helped landscape the newly opened Yamhill Valley Heritage Center and donated $2500 for future plantings.

The Garden Fair was added in conjunction with the Garden Tour showcasing area vendors with plants and garden themed products.

Read more about the McMinnville Garden Faire

Donated money to the Salvation Army to help with the cost of water at their community garden.

Erected a Blue Star Marker at Evergreen Aviation Museum.

Donated $800 towards labor for tilling and planting a wildflower lot by the library at 2nd and Adams.

Began the annual Garden Tour to raise funds. Four or five private homeowners share their unique garden styles with the public.

Read more about the McMinnville Garden Tour

Worked with Trees for McMinnville planting trees at 60 private schools and nursing homes.

Began taking care of the indoor plants at the McMinnville Library.

Juliette’s House’s center for abused children opened. The Club donated labor and $2000 for irrigation, landscape planting and hanging baskets.

Helped provide 3-foot high planter boxes at two nursing homes so wheelchair and elderly residents could garden.

Maintained the patio and indoor plants at the Gallery Theater

Recreated the herb garden of Dr John Minthorn at the Hoover-Minthorn House in Newberg.

Cleaned up and added plantings and irrigation at the Yamhill County Fairgrounds.

Erected a lamppost with two hanging baskets at the entrance of Joe Dancer Park. As more buildings went up, sidewalks were installed and the azaleas were removed.
The men’s garden club merged with the McMinnville Garden Club.

Researched the trees in the City Park and gave each tree a number and a marker. They then created a brochure with the botanical and common name of each tree for the Public Library. This involved about 90 trees. Voted to donate up to $300 to pay for perennials, annuals, and flowering shrubs to enhance the beauty of the upper park.

Began working with the Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District, the Oregon Rhododendron Society and other clubs in the Pioneer District to restore the Jenkins Estate.

Presented a set of books about People and Their Environment (PATE) to the McMinnville School District for placement in every school library and to be included in school curricula.

Participated in the planning and implementation of the Committee on Redevelopment (COR) parking and beautification plan for Third Street. The Club donated $500 for the purchase of larger trees.

Made and sold Christmas wreaths, swags and centerpiece as a fundraiser. The Christmas Tree Show was discontinued.

Landscaped and beautified the grounds of the Yamhill County Historical Society in Lafayette.

Christmas Show moves to the Presbyterian Church.

May Day activities were discontinued by the college

Rhododendrons were planted annually for the May Day Queens.

Began garden workshops for the public.

The Christmas Show needed more space so was moved to the Armory.

The Christmas Tree Show began at the Library. The public was invited and a silver tea was served.

A bronze marker was place at the north end of the Pink Dogwood Grove

The Men’s Garden Club was formed. While they were active the Men’s Club planted over 500 azaleas and shrubs at the Post Office, the Courthouse and along the Highways around town.

Established a Pink Dogwood Grove on the Linfield College Campus honoring all past May Queens. In 1953 the 50th anniversary of May Day, the fiftieth tree was planted. The club also made bouquets for the 12-14 member court and served a tea for the Queen in the student lounge. In 1966 the Grove could not hold any more trees and the planting was discontinued.

Began decorating Christmas trees for the public library.

Planted 5 shrubs and many zinnias in City Park and presented monthly exhibitions of flowers downtown and made weekly flower arrangements for Chamber meetings.

Began Spring and Fall Flower Shows.