- In the Spring of 1979, Jean Mitchell and Carol Stratton, members of GCA affiliated clubs in their previous communities, met to discuss forming a garden club modeled on the mission of The Garden Club of America. In January of 1980, Carmel-by-the-Sea Garden Club held its first meeting and officers were elected.
- Members of the newly-formed Club agreed that a worthwhile civic project for the fledgling club would be recommending to the City Council that the former Piccadilly Nursery property be saved as open space. Through these efforts, the location became a small park designed by Walter Guthrie, thus creating a lasting open space in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea.
- In 1986, the Club became a member of The Garden Club of America, providing advantages of a national organization through meetings, conferences, correspondence and publications. This affiliation has allowed the Club to help improve and protect the quality of our environment through programs and action in the field of horticulture, conservation, civic improvement and education.
- In addition to the founding of Piccadilly Park, members reestablished the pre-1865 garden at the Cooper Molera Adobe in Monterey and supported the La Mirada garden in Monterey.
- The Club participated in establishing a vegetable garden at Carmel Middle School. A grant was given by Bertie Bialek Elliott in memory of her husband. Today the Hilton Bialek Habitat provides an educational experience for children, educators and conservationists.
- Central to the Club’s civic projects has been the garden at Harrison Memorial Library, a historical building designed in 1928 by architect Bernard Maybeck. The Club raised money for landscape plans and construction of the garden. Members continue to volunteer their hours and funds for the ongoing maintenance of Harrison Memorial Library and Piccadilly Park.
- With private donations, the Club facilitated the restoration of the original garden at Carmel City Hall. It was dedicated on October 5th, 2012 in memory of member Connie Meach Ridder. The garden is currently maintained by the City of Carmel.
- The founders had the foresight to generate a Founders Endowment Fund with the purpose of ensuring that public gardens associated with our Club will be maintained in perpetuity. With generous contributions and a successful fundraising event in 2013, the Founders Endowment Fund is now substantially endowed.
- Upon the passing of Carol Stratton in 2014, her brother provided a substantial donation to erect a plaque at Piccadilly Park in memory of founders, Carol and Jean. The donation included a renovation in 2015 of the original Piccadilly garden. A dedication ceremony held on May 7, 2015 was attended by Carmel City officials, Club members, friends and family of both founders.
- Beginning in 2009, the Club embarked on a long-term project in collaboration with the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea to restore the dunes habitat near the end of Ocean Avenue. Badly degraded with invasive plants and non-native grasses, this highly visible site had the potential to become a successful ecosystem of flora such as the native Tidestrom’s lupine, sand verbena and the elusive Legless lizard. The restoration plan was submitted in 2013 to GCA as part of their 100th Centennial Anniversary. GCA Clubs throughout the country were asked to honor this anniversary with a special “Centennial Tree Project” in their community. Purchased and installed by our Club was an educational interpretive sign and three log benches overlooking Carmel Beach. To date, members continue to volunteer their time with Conservation Biologist Joey Canepa to care for 16,013 sq. ft. of dunes. According to Joey, The North Dunes is now a “stellar example of vibrant and sustainable dunes habitat.” Since 2019, the project has received funding from a GCA “Partners for Plants” grant (a nationwide GCA initiative to restore native habitat on public lands).
- The annual GCA Horticulture Conference was named in honor of our distinguished member Shirley Meneice in 2002 at the Huntington Botanical Gardens. This important conference held at different locations across the country each year, seeks to teach and improve horticulture skills of members throughout the country.
- The Christmas Workshop held annually was implemented to distribute floral arrangements to the Library outreach, Community Foundation and seniors who are homebound.
- Carmel-by-the-Sea Garden Club has engaged in flower shows throughout the years designed to showcase to the public, skills and educational exhibits to inspire individuals in the areas of floral design, conservation, horticulture and photography. The flower shows adhere to GCA rules, guidelines and use of their appointed judges.
- A major focus from the early years of our Club has been to award scholarships. Scholarships related to horticulture and environmental studies at California State University – Monterey Bay and the Ornamental Horticulture program at Monterey Peninsula College are provided each year to deserving students. Carmel Middle School’s Hilton Bialek Biological Science Project has also been a recipient of our scholarships.
- Awards are presented annually by The Garden Club of America to individual members for their exceptional achievement on the national, zone and club levels. Awards are also given to community members and organizations for their outstanding service and commitment to important civic issues. The Elizabeth Abernathy Hull Award, Cynthia Pratt Laughlin Medal and Club Commendation Awards have been given by our Club for Horticulture, Historic Preservation and Conservation.
- On a national level, as part of the GCA Garden History and Design educational program, members of the Club have photographed and documented local gardens, many of which were accepted by the Archives of American Gardens at the Smithsonian Institution. The most recent garden to be submitted and accepted was the Constance Meach Ridder Memorial Garden at Carmel City Hall.
- Carmel-by-the-Sea Garden Club has a rich and vibrant history in our community. The mission set forth by the founders of our Club in 1980 will remain and continue to prosper with new and dedicated members throughout the lifetime of this organization.
