A senate RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE THE COLUMBIA GARDEN CLUB upON THE OCCASION OF ITS CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY AND to WISH THE CLUB and its members MANY MORE YEARS OF CONTINUED SUCCESS.

 

Whereas, the Columbia Garden Club was founded on February 27, 1926, with eighty members, consisting of seventy-three women and seven men, each paying dues of one dollar; and

 

Whereas, February 27, 2026, marks the one hundredth anniversary of the founding of the Columbia Garden Club; and

 

Whereas, for its tenth anniversary, the Columbia Garden Club donated the wrought iron entrance gates at the University of South Carolina Arboretum, now known as the W. Gordon Belser Arboretum; and

 

Whereas, in December 1937, the Columbia Garden Club held the first Holiday House as a gift to the community, a tradition that led in 1980 to the club decorating the Governor's Mansion for the annual Christmas Tea and Open House, which remains an ongoing club project; and

 

Whereas, in its second decade, the Columbia Garden Club began its most famous flower show, the Camillia Show, which continued until 1963 when it was permanently turned over to the men. Also, in its second decade the club established Judges Schools to provide judges for local flower shows; and

 

Whereas, from 1964 to 1986 a major project of the Columbia Garden Club was the Boylston Garden in the Governor's Mansion Complex. This restful oasis in the heart of the city named for Sarah Porter Smith Boylston, a charter member and early president of the club, remains an admired venue for special events and celebrations. In this one hundredth anniversary year, the club will recognize Mrs. Boylston by installing a life-sized bronze statue on the Governor's Mansion grounds; and

 

Whereas, in 2001, the Columbia Garden Club began the tradition of decorating the Christmas tree at the Governor's Mansion and purchasing and decorating the State Christmas Tree at the State House; and

 

Whereas, through fundraising, educational programing, and dedication to beautification projects, the Columbia Garden Club has, for one hundred years, graciously benefited and enhanced the life of the entire Columbia community and the State.  Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate:

 

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize the Columbia Garden Club upon the occasion of its centennial anniversary and wish the club and its members many more years of continued success.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Columbia Garden Club.

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