President Nancy Stark's Visit to National Garden Clubs Headquarters
President Nancy Stark's Visit to National Garden Clubs Headquarters
NATIONAL GARDEN CLUBS, INC., Your President attended the National Garden Clubs, Inc. Fall Board Meeting in St. Louis, MO and met with 49 state presidents plus all regional directors for meetings at the National Offices. I want to share my visit with you and show pictures of our beautiful headquarters.
My first impression was totally amazing as the busses brought us up to the front entrance. The building resembles a Frank Lloyd Wright design and nestles into the landscape and gardens of color. Entering through the massive wood doors, the first view is the atrium in the middle of the reception area. The pictures show large designs on side tables, a couch and screen where you can sit and look at the plants and tree inside the atrium. Expressing the “green” theme of the entrance you quickly notice the rugs that surround the atrium. The sage green of the rugs are interwoven with every emblem from all 50 states. The Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc. emblem (Federated Garden Clubs of Michigan) is in the first rug because we were part of the original states to form the Federation. All emblems are different and I had to take a picture of Indiana because I was raised in Indiana and the family is still rooted there.
Moving down the corridor we entered a very large room with windows floor to ceiling to view the 6.25 acres of gardens surrounding the building. But first you see the National Emblem on the very large rug just inside the banquet room. The entire rug is designed with the national flower - the columbine.
Walking to the windows the views are stunning because the building is built into a hill and one views the garden and Presidential Trees from above. Looking down into the courtyard are butterfly benches at different locations for meditation. Another patio area outside the lower level is where pavers are inscribed with the names of clubs and donors who helped build this addition for large group gatherings.
Outside another window there is a green space leading to the 9/11 Memorial Garden where there is a fountain surrounded by flowers and the walls of granite shaped like the pentagon. A memorial plaque and dedication were held several years ago.
Looking out the far windows onto a hillside are the Presidential Trees representing the four U.S. Presidents from Mt. Rushmore. One of the trees is a cloned tree. These were just dedicated recently.
With a staff of five employees, all our local clubs can be assured that whatever the request from you, it will be handled with kindness and efficiency. It is very clear the staff is in place to serve our needs and encourages all of us to take advantage of the various publications that are available from the national marketplace. In closing, there were many other wonderful donations shown in glass cases and frames. But you will just have to make a visit to see what else is there for your pleasure. The garden space and designs certainly represent the largest gardening organization in the world with style and grace. I’m very blessed to have seen the headquarters and now I share some of my pictures in hopes you may visit yourself someday soon. Nancy Stark, President |
