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The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society: A History
 Now
over 184 years old, The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society continues
in its mission to "motivate people to improve the quality of
life and create a sense of community through horticulture."
In 1827, the nation's first passenger and freight
railroad, the Baltimore & Ohio, was incorporated, slavery was
abolished in the state of New York, and on November 24, a group
of gentleman farmers, botanists and other plant enthusiasts held
a meeting to create the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. There,
it was resolved "to establish a Horticultural Society in the
City of Philadelphia for the promotion of this interesting and highly
influential branch of Science." At this time, the fledging
PHS boasted 53 members. Today, our membership is 17,000 strong.
Community, friendship, and glorious gardens all
describe PHS, but interwoven with these descriptions is tradition,
and the tradition that looms in most minds, is the Philadelphia
International Flower Show, held each year at the Pennsylvania Convention
Center.
The first Flower Show was in 1829 at the Masonic
Hall on Chestnut Street, where the well-known Christmas favorite,
the poinsettia, was introduced. Over the decades, the event has
grown dramatically to become the nation's grandest Flower Show,
attracting 250,000 visitors annually over an eight-day period.
Our Philadelphia
Green program is another integral part of the tradition
at PHS. Initiated in 1974, it has become the nation's pre-eminent
model for urban greening. From its grassroots efforts to plant neighborhood
vegetable gardens, the program has grown to be a major player in
all realms of the urban landscape.
From neighborhood parks to the restoration of
major public landscapes, such as Penn's Landing and the grounds
of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia Green has involved
thousands of city residents in an ongoing effort to make the city
a more livable, likable place to live and work.
The greatest PHS tradition, however, is volunteering.
If there is any single concept that gets to the core of PHS's mission,
it is the act of getting together with other gardeners of all backgrounds
and "working the soil." Whether it's planting fall bulbs
in a Philadelphia neighborhood, taking a tour of other members'
gardens, or joining other avid gardeners to help stage the Philadelphia
International Flower Show, when gardeners come together, great things happen.
Fostering the passion for sowing and growing together
has been one of the greatest achievements to emerge in the
history of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
To access the McLean Library's digital collection including gardening books and periodicals published before 1923 then click here.
FOR PRESS INFORMATION, CONTACT:
LAURA HOOVER, email or
call 215-988-8836 |
