A history of the Society was compiled by long-time member and local historian, Marilyn Snedden, and was published in The Millstone News to mark our 100th Year Anniversary. The following is an excerpt from that article with some edits in brackets [ ]:

"The Almonte Horticultural Society was formed on April 8, 1921, as part of the Ontario Horticultural Society. Early reports show flower shows, public plantings, educational speakers at meetings and sponsoring junior clubs have been the focus through all these years. Junior work is mentioned as early as 1936.

World War II affected everyone and in 1943 the flower show was cancelled in favour of making bouquets for sale to fund “Ditty Bags” for soldiers overseas. Also “Seeds of Britain” received a $25 donation.

In 1954 the flower beds at the Cenotaph are mentioned as a project and bulbs were donated to the churches and the old Rosamond Hospital. The next year new flower beds were planted at the front of the Town Hall with 43 shrubs along the side wall.

In 1961, 59 Junior Gardens were judged and in Centennial Year, 1967, it was noted there was an improvement in farmyard appearances where the children were enrolled in the Junior Garden Club. By 1969 there were 125 junior gardens to judge – mostly in the rural areas.

In the 1970’s and 80’s Sandy Patry and Kevin Didsbury ran a successful program where seeds were handed out at the schools and 48 children met 4 times a year for educational topics.

In more modern times Carol Kenward, Janet Horton, Gerda Franssen, Ann Warren and Mary Ellen Petrunewich gave seeds and manuals to Grade 2 classes and supervised plantings in raised beds at Naismith School.

For the past decades we have offered a bursary to a high school graduate pursuing studies related to environmental or science courses.

In the 1970’s flower beds were added on the Bay Hill area in Gemmill Park. My father George Robertson cared for these and every spring when a few orange poppies raise their heads, I remember him. He also cared for the beds at the Cenotaph for many years.

Through the years the Spring Plant sale has been the major fundraiser and during the COVID crisis Nancy Timmons offered her laneway and wagons so a modified sale could be held. Carol Alexander & Sandy Jackson were in charge. It was a great place for new gardeners to pick up plants but one soon learned if there was a large amount of some creeping ground cover that “Buyer Beware” was a rule because it could be a bad spreader.

Over the years the local society has taken their turn hosting larger events such as the District 2 Flower & Vegetable Shows in 1994, 2000, 2003 and 2017.

Some members had taken judging courses offered by the OHA over the past 40 years and Helen Halpenny, Cindy Zorgel, Margaret Inwood and Marilyn Snedden completed these courses which ran for 8 weekends over 2 years. Helen and Marilyn also received the District service Plaque as well as Gladys Skuffam back in 1986. She was our Secretary Treasurer for decades.

For a few years in the past decade we sponsored a “Garden of the Week” contest where members nominated front yard gardens and the owners received a gift bag and their garden was featured in the local newspaper.

The Town Beautification Committee is perhaps the hardest working group and I’m not naming names since I might miss someone but those members are all owed a lot of thanks.  They plant the barrels on Mill Street, care for this garden at the library and the one on the Veteran’s Walkway and the Cenotaph.

The “Peace Garden” at Perth & Bridge Streets was [cared for by Gil Goddard, Allan Goddard and Peter Goddard for many years. Alan continues to maintain this garden with some help from the A&DHS.]

 [The circular Pollinator Garden gardens at the back of the library next to High Street were designed by Alan Goddard and Cindy Zorel and approved by the executive in 1992. It started with nine beds in a circle, the raised rose bed was added next, then three berms with pollinator plants and shrubs. Funding for the original garden was raised through a] workshop which featured Ed Lawrence, Leonard Lee [and Suzanne Patry]. Many Wednesdays have been dedicated to weeding and deadheading over the years.

In 2004, 300 Emperor tulips were planted here in a circle named “Albert’s Garden” after Paul Eggington’s father. It was a project to track Global warming sponsored by the NCC. For 5 years Paul kept track of the dates when the bulbs emerged, first to bloom and end of bloom. It seemed earlier each year. Helen Halpenny planted other flowers to follow the tulips. Now it’s home to a plum tree in memory of Peter Goddard.

Another memorial tree is the flowering crab at the street side with a small plaque dedicating it to Bernard Cameron who was tragically killed in 2016. That is a sturdy tree because a few years ago I was backing my truck up but didn’t realize the tail gate was down. I can still see the look of horror on Gerda Franssen’s face as she was hollering on me to stop but too late. I was sure I’d killed the tree but it survives with a scar on the trunk to remind me of my close call.

Another feature of this garden is the bench purchased in 2016 recognizing our 95th Birthday. So today we are celebrating 100 years with the unveiling of this amazing new sculpture which we hope will be a reminder over the coming years of the major contribution our society had made to Almonte."