Newport Horticultural Society records (RLC.Ms.023)

Historical note

The Newport Horticultural Society was organized in Newport, Rhode Island, on January 8, 1890, by Richard Gardener, gardener for Pierre Lorillard; John T. Allen, gardener for Levi P. Morton; Alexander MacLellan, gardener for J. W. Ellis; David Gordon, gardener for August Belmont; and Arend Brandt, florist. The purpose of this society was to give gardeners and other interested individuals an opportunity to discuss gardening and to display their work at flower shows organized by the society. On January 28, 1890 the first official meeting of the Newport Horticultural Society was held and the following officers were elected: Michael Butler as present, Richard Gardener as vice president, Robert Christie as treasurer, and James Galvin as secretary. Executive, auditing, and finance committees were also established. The society maintained this structure or a variation of such throughout their duration.

The Newport Horticultural Society typically held summer and autumn flower shows for amateur or private gardeners or a combination of both. They also organized these exhibitions with other organizations such as the Newport Garden Club, the Rhode Island Horticultural Society and the South County Garden Club. Exhibitors in the flower shows gave their entry into one or more of the classes being judged — plants, cut flowers, fruits, vegetables, and school gardens — to the Newport Horticultural Society’s secretary three days before the opening of the exhibition. Judges, most likely from other garden and horticultural societies outside of Newport, appraised the entries and oftentimes awarded a small cash prize or trophy to the top competitor in each class. Besides flower shows, the society met twice a month and held an annual ball with dinner and special guest speakers. It is not apparent from these records when the Newport Horticultural Society came to an end.