Hamilton Garden Club, organized in 1934
CELEBRATING 70 YEARS OF FEDERATION with the MT Federation of Garden Clubs, 1938-2008

President: Elizabeth Kehmeier (406-363-5693)

The Hamilton Garden Club is very active in the community and in education of our members. This past year we've been honored by the State Federation for our efforts with environmental education, bird programs and youth sponsorship. In addition, our "city beautification" project is sponsored by the Hamilton Business Association. They give us a $1,000 annual grant to decorate the planters on Main and Second Streets. Below are some pictures over the past year showing the five season changes we produce for the community.

Club members start the spring season by growing and planting truck loads of flowers. In late spring we decorate bird houses and wire them to re-bar covered with artifical ivy. The houses become the focal point in the beautiful planters. We also used the bird houses to decorate a luncheon at the 2006 MFGC Convention in Missoula.

Later in the year the planters are changed for fall. Scarecrows, corn stalks, squash and pumpkins are added for the season. Winter weather brings out the Christmas decorations. We string popcorn and berries for the birds and decorate trees in the planters. In late winter the trees change over to valentine decor. Everyone loves to see the festive decorations; we are happy to have the opportunity and funds to make our little city beautiful.

For over 70 years Hamilton Garden Club members have been an integral facet of the local community. We organized in 1934 and federated with the Montana Federation of Garden Clubs in 1938. Increasing our members' horticulture education is always emphasized, and now we are expanding to include children's gardening education. "Kids in the Garden" is a celebration that ties into our junior garden club at the Corvallis Primary School, which we sponsor. The many pictures below show recent gardening activity enjoyed by both young and old participants. Fun is had by all!

Hamilton Garden Club members sponsor many community projects, including:
  • planting and maintaining the Hamilton Downtown Planters and decorating them for the various seasons;
  • recycling newspapers and aluminum each month of the year;
  • conducting a plant sale each year;
  • sponsoring the junior garden club using money from recycling and the plant sale;
  • hosting the Community Garden which is our Memorial for deceased club members; and
  • making Christmas decoration for the National Christmas tree in Washington, DC.

Because the sunflower is the Rocky Mountain Region Unified Project, we emphasized the plant this year. When hosting the District 2 annual meeting last May, we used sunflower nuts on the tables and gave seed packets as gifts. Sunflowers were planted at the grade school by the junior garden club members. At the Daly Mansion, sunflowers were planted down a walkway and made into a sunflower house. The children in the area had a wonderful time exploring the 'house' and learning about sunflowers this year.

If you live in the Hamilton area and love to garden, please call our president, Elizabeth Kehmeier [363-5693]. We'd like you to join us at the next club meeting.