Evergreen Garden Club Minutes
May 16, 2023
Members present for the luncheon meeting at Jean Barquin’s home were: Connie Anderson, Kathryn Baker, Jean Barquin, Louise Beale, Julia Bellinger, Winkie Crigler, Jane Dana, Jane DeCell, Amy Dewey, Doris Dixon, Catherine Farrell, Helen Garrett, Kay Glenday, Jeannette Harper, Lynn Keith, Mary Francis Koltes, Helen Large, Diana Luka-Hopson, Claire Marshall, Sally Marshall, Dolly McKenna, Colet Mitchell, Lynne Pickard, Donna Roberts, Pam Selden, Laurene Sherlock, Anne Snodgrass, Susie Taylor, Ellen Thrasher, Susan Vanderver, Rosa Wallach, Xenia Wilkinson, Ann Williams.
Jean Barquin hosted Evergreen Garden Club members in her home, beautifully prepared with tables, place settings, and flowers, for the club’s 70th anniversary luncheon.
Prior to lunch President Jane Dana began a short business meeting by thanking Jean and issuing a warm welcome. Unfortunately, the PowerPoint presentation of the club’s history could not be shown due to technical difficulties. Jane and the incoming Executive Committee will arrange for a new time to show the presentation, likely in the fall.
Winkie Crigler gave the treasurer’s report. The club has $10,016.19 in the bank. She will distribute checks to four organizations as recommended by the Philanthropy Committee and approved by the membership: Tregaron Conservancy $1,500, Rock Creek Conservancy $1,500, National Youth Garden at the National Arboretum $1,000, and Building Bridges Across the River $1,000.
Susie Taylor reported on the work of the Philanthropy Committee to identify and research potential recipients of a $2,000, one-time grant in honor of the Club’s 70th anniversary. The committee received two referrals from members and visited both organizations. The committee recommended a grant to Joseph’s House, located in the Adams-Morgan neighborhood of Washington, DC, and founded in 1990 to provide end-of-life care to unhoused men suffering from AIDS. As medical treatment of AIDS has vastly improved life expectancy, Joseph’s House’s mission has evolved to offer end-of-life and respite care for all genders of unhoused persons. It is worth noting that Joseph’s House is a prior recipient of the club’s philanthropy. The recommendation was motioned, seconded, and unanimously approved.
Jane thanked members for honoring her with the position of president for the past year. She asked the incoming officers to stand and be recognized. There will be a transition meeting with this year’s officers and newly elected officers later this spring. She reported that with the return of former member Ann Williams, the club is now at capacity with 45 members.
Jane recognized the five longest standing members of the club: Jeannette Harper (1977), Connie Anderson (1986), Sally Marshall (1989), Louise Beale (1989), and Anne Snodgrass (1989).
Jane invited three members to relate particularly interesting segments of club history. Jeannette Harper described the most significant project the club has undertaken, the renovation and preservation of the Van Ness Mausoleum. The mausoleum was designed by George Hadfield in 1833 for John Peter Van Ness and members of his family. Both the Van Ness family and George Hadfield were significant to the early history and development of Washington. John Van Ness was active in local politics and finance. His wife, Marcia Van Ness, devoted much of her life to working for charitable institutions. George Hadfield was one of the first professional architects to practice in this country. His interpretation of classical prototypes for his design of the Van Ness Mausoleum resulted in one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in DC. Originally placed on H Street, NW, the structure was moved to its present location in Oak Hill Cemetery in 1873. It fell into disrepair. The club renovation and preservation project lasted 20 years at a cost of $76,000.
Anne Snodgrass described the rich history of fascinating and educational field trips taken over the club’s lifetime. Many of the trips were full days including north to the Philadelphia Flower Show and several DuPont estates, south to Richmond and the James River Botanical Garden, west to Middleburg and the Craik-Patton House, and east to Annapolis. Club members have also visited several local gardens such as the British Embassy, the National Arboretum, the National Cathedral Bishop’s Garden, and Gunston Hall.
Mary Francis Koltes spoke of the club’s important philanthropic work. The club used to staff a stall at the Cathedral Flower Mart, sharing responsibility with another local garden club, each club responsible for one day. Proceeds from the stall were given to All Hallows Guild. Examples of other organizations supported by the club include the Washington Home (by restoring its pagoda and providing and maintaining its hanging baskets), and contributing toward the Healing Flower Garden at Georgetown Hospital, the green roof at Horace Mann Elementary School, Turtle Park, and the Jesuit Academy.
Jane thanked Jean again and invited all to a delicious lunch prepared by Mindy’s Catering.
Respectfully submitted,
Susie Taylor on behalf of
Mary Jane Glass, Recording Secretary