About the Dolley Madison Garden Club
...on a November day in 1919, a bridge club of twelve members met at Cameron Lodge and Miss Mary Cameron suggested that this bridge club be changed to a garden club. This suggestion was heartily seconded by Mrs. Joseph Walker who had considerable garden experience acquired in her association with a Philadelphia garden club called “The Weeders”  and the floral experience gained by Mrs. Harper in her former close contact with the New England Garden Clubs. From this meeting the Dolly Madison Garden Club materialized. 
Picture

​The Dolley Madison Garden Club (DMGC) was founded in Orange, Virginia, in November 1919, by a group of civic and garden-oriented women to protect the rural heritage of the area, stimulate horticulture advancement, and undertake community improvement projects. The zinnia was chosen as the Club flower as they are associated with friendship, endurance, and constancy. The Dolley Madison Garden Club was one of the seven founding member clubs of the Garden Club of Virginia (GCV) and became a member of the Garden Club of America (GCA) in 1922. 

Through the years DMGC has worked to save dogwoods, control billboards, abolish automobile graveyards, plant trees, and enhance Taylor Park in Orange, Virginia. In celebration of the Club's centennial in 2019, the gift of the Lotus Blossom Fountain sculpture in Taylor Park was a major Club contribution to the community. Archival work by members in the DMGC's Garden History and Design Committee supports efforts to document local gardens for entry into the Smithsonian’s Archive of American Gardens. Submittals include, among many others, the Orange County estates of Mt. Sharon and Springfields, and Taylor Park in downtown Orange. Members constructed a Medicinal Herb Garden at the Civil War Medical Museum in Gordonsville in 2015, and donated an Oriental spruce tree to Dogwood Village in 2016. The Club has hosted plant sales, conservation forums, and public flower shows featuring professionally judged horticulture and artistic entries. 
In addition, the Dolley Madison Garden Club hosts a Garden Club of Virginia Historic Garden Week tour. Proceeds from the tour support the restoration and preservation of historic public gardens and landscapes throughout the state. 
 
We are a  non-profit 501(3)(c) all volunteer organization. Our members provide their time and talent to further the goals of horticulture advancement, protection of the rural heritage of the area, and meaningful community projects and engagement. 
Picture

2017 Flowers of Historic Garden Week
This collection of beautiful flower arrangements created by the ladies of DMGC
​is a tribute to member Frances Lea.  Proceeds benefit DMGC.  
Available for purchase through Amazon.  Click here to purchase.
Picture
 
Garden Club of Virginia Cook Book
Click on the sunflower photo to view this cook book 
from the 95th Board of Governor's Meeting in 2014. 
Bon appetit!