Gardeners The Gardeners of the Crooked Billet was founded by
Mrs. Frank H. Mather in 1937. The object of this organization is
to promote interest in the art of gardening, to aid in the protection of
native trees, plants and birds, and to encourage civic planting. Mr. Frank
Mather was elected the first president, with four other men to follow in
two-year terms as presidents: Nelson Hendricks, a borough councilman, Edger
Lythgoe, Irvin Kepler, and C. Thomas Beach. After the Second World War there
were no more men presidents. On March 11, 1937 the club was affiliated
with the Garden Club Federation of
Pennsylvania.
The first civic improvement project was the clean up of the Wunderle
tract, a weed grown piece of land located in Hatboro at the south end of
York Rd across from the Methodist Church. Pink petunias were planted
along with other flowers and shrubs. The project was so successful and
the pink petunias were so beautiful and cheerful that the pink petunia was
declared Hatboro's flower by Mrs.Mather. Later the field was leveled
and paved for a parking lot for an Acme. At the time, Hatboro had
trash problems and in March 1938, after the Wunderlee tract cleanup started,
the borough council increased its general rubbish collection from once
a year to once a month. Civic consciousness in the town was sharpened.
Victory gardens were promoted in 1942 with about 100 new vegetable gardens
planted in Hatboro and vicinity. After the war a generous gift of
seeds was sent to devastated Finland.
Another result of the clubs efforts was the appointment of a Shade
Tree Commission in the borough in 1944. On April 28, 1976 a bicentennial
commemorative shade tree was presented to Hatboro's Park and Recreation
Committee by the Gardeners at a ceremony in Eaton Park. A tree, a
4 inch caliper Norway Maple, variety "Emerald Queen" was selected for smog
and pollution resistance as well as superior growth habits.
In 1981 the Gardeners of Crooked Billet took on a new challenge in
planting and maintaining the herb garden at Keith House located at Graeme
Park on County Line Rd. Becci, a member of the club at the time considered
the rejuvenation of the historical herb garden an important task for the
club. She thought it provided an education for people today to learn about
the herbs from yesterday. Currently, the garden is still maintained by the
Gardeners of Crooked Billet and holds a variety of old fashioned herbs such
as comfrey, horehound and lovage just to name a few. In honor of Becci's dedication
and vision the Gardeners named the herb garden, "Becci's" Herb Garden.
For membership information contact Kathie Watkins at 215-675-6639
This page is dedicated to the Citizens of
Hatboro, past, present, and future.
Copyright © 1997-2007
Pitrone & Associates. All Rights Reserved.
