Chelsea Self / Post Independent
A little afternoon shower Wednesday didn’t stop members of the Glenwood Springs Garden Club from celebrating over 80 years of service to the community.
Past president and Chair of the 85th Commemorative Bench Committee Ann English presented at the Glenwood Springs Historical Society with a uniquely handcrafted metal bench, designed by local metal fabricator Jeff Hulslander
Three years in the making, the bench marked the milestone for Glenwood’s longest-acting organization, which has been around since 1931. It now sits on the lawn at the Frontier Historical Museum on Colorado Avenue.
The club had raised the money through garden tours, and decided on a bench to give back to the community.
“We decided we wanted to have something commemorative,” English said.
Originally, the club had planned on placing the bench downtown when the new Grand Avenue Bridge was finished. Waiting for the city to finalize what the area around the bridge would become, the Garden Club bench was put on hold for two years.
“I learned a lot about benches I didn’t know,” English added. “We wanted it to be tasteful and useful, but still pretty.”
“Last year, we decided to approach Bill (Kight), executive director of Glenwood Springs Historical Society, because we had worked with him before,” English added.
The Garden Club had put in the herb garden and maintains the grounds around the Frontier Historical Museum located on Colorado Avenue.
“They welcomed it with open arms,” she said.
With over a dozen members, along with Hulslander and Kight in attendance, English and the club had an informal dedication Wednesday afternoon at the museum.
“The Garden Club has sort of adopted us. We have a wonderful herb garden in the back, and all the tulips that were done by the club,” Kight said. “We thought it would just be a natural place to put the bench. We are really glad they decided to put it here at the Historical Society.”
Kight hopes that community members and visitors to the museum will come and enjoy the garden and relax on the bench this summer.
88 YEARS STRONG
With nearly 60 members, the Glenwood Springs Garden Club is still kicking as the organization nears 90 years.
March through December, the club hosts a monthly meeting on various gardening topics. New members from the community are always welcome.
“We try to do educational programming for the community, with speakers from the club, many of which are master gardeners,” English said.
The club continues to fund and help with many gardening projects in the community for schools and organizations, including giving scholarships for those wanting to study in the field.
English said the club also recognizes a garden of the month for Glenwood businesses and homes.
Producing two garden tours a year, the club is looking for new gardens to feature. To suggest a garden, contact the garden club at 970-930-5776
