MSHS 150th Anniversary Year in Review
For MSHS, 2016 was destined to be an exciting year. The organization celebrated its 150th anniversary with several wonderful events that highlighted both its history and its vibrancy today.
The year began with a fantastic Spring Garden Gala at Vadnais Heights Commons. The events were sold out and gardeners not only got a peek at new plants for the year, they had a chance to bid on great silent and live auction items to support MSHS Education programs. We’ll be hosting this fun event again this spring.
With help from Glacial Ridge Growers, MSHS also put together its own “Pollinator Packs,” collections of plants that will attract birds, bees and other pollinators. The packs were so popular, we will be continuing them this year.
In June, our donor event was held at an amazing garden in Ramsey, Mn. This expansive private garden demonstrated how conifers can be used to dramatic effect in a northern garden.
Since MSHS began at a state fair (in 1866!), we had a special exhibit about our history at the fair as well as great prizes for people who joined or renewed their membership at the fair. Someone even won a new lawn mower!
An article about MSHS history appeared in our September/October issue of Northern Gardener and our big anniversary party was held at Tangletown Garden Farms in Plato, MN. In addition to a delicious picnic, there were tours of the farm, music from Skunk Hollow and a talk about MSHS history. Throughout the year, we featured articles about Legends of MSHS in the magazine. You can still read about greats such as Sarah Manning, John Harris, Peter Gideon, W. H. Alderman, Leon Snyder and Fred Glasoe here on the blog.
We were thrilled in November to receive the Terrace Horticultural Books Award to honor the role MSHS has played in Minnesota horticulture. Throughout the year, we’ve been supported by our terrific volunteers, the wonderful people who donate to MSHS as well as the thousands of members and subscribers.
Thank you all for your support! Here’s to another 150 years!