Civic Garden Center History
Timeline
1942
Mrs. Charles Bosworth, then president of Federated Garden Clubs of Cincinnati, and Mrs. Arthur Osmond introduced the concept of a horticultural center to provide Cincinnati residents with answers to gardening questions. The Civic Garden Center was officially opened in March of that year with the late Peggy (Pogue) Macneale appointed as first director.
1949
The Civic Beautification Awards event was established to honor businesses and organizations who demonstrate excellence in design and maintenance of greenspace.
1951
Cornelius J. Hauck's generous land donation in his beautiful 'Sooty Acres' property became a permanent home for the Civic Garden Center. The new building provided a designated location to house the horticultural library and demonstration space for classes and floral displays. The original building is now the Hoffman Library.
1960
Origins of the annual Plant, Herb and Hosta sale began when the Valley Hills Garden Club met at the Civic Garden Center to swap herbs and discuss their merits.
1971
Operation Green Thumb' began to promote children's outdoor gardening. Junior Conservation Corps, Mini-Gardens and Project Grow were developed as part of the program to educate and promote the scientific and aesthetic value of plants.
1981
Civic Garden Center Director Margie Rauh and Education Director Gary Goosman initiated the Neighborhood Gardens outreach program. The success of the program quickly became a national model that other cities adopted. The Over-the-Rhine People’s Garden was such a community success, it gave birth to the Civic Garden Center’s Neighborhood Gardens Program.
1997
The Growlab program is established in collaboration with Cincinnati Public Schools, helping to bring the wonderful world of plants into the curriculum of Cincinnati Public School.
1999
Phase one of the Pat Kipp Memorial Shade Garden was planted to honor the noted Hosta expert and Civic Garden Center Horticulture Director. Mrs. Kipp was one of the first Cincinnati gardeners to herald the diversity and beauty of Hosta in the shade garden.
2000
The Civic Garden Center is named the Official Compost Demonstration Site by Hamilton County Environmental Services – an Outdoor Classroom is constructed, built with compost education information and various compost bins.