Massachusetts Horticultural Society
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The Massachusetts Horticultural Society, sometimes abbreviated to MassHort, is an American horticultural society based in Massachusetts. It describes itself as the oldest, formally-organized horticultural institution in the United States.
The society was established in 1829 in Boston as the Boston Horticultural Society, and promptly began weekly exhibits (in Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market) of locally grown fruit and later vegetables, teaching the newest horticultural techniques and breeds, perhaps most notably the local Concord grape in 1853. It has continued this tradition for more than 135 years with its annual New England Spring Flower Show.
In 1831 the society bought a 72-acre estate called "Sweet Auburn" for an arboretum, garden, and cemetery. Although the horticultural garden never materialized, in 1835 the site was incorporated as Mount Auburn Cemetery. Until 1976, the society received one-fourth of the proceeds from the sale of Mount Auburn's cemetery lots. Starting in 1845, the society has had three different exhibit halls, each named Horticultural Hall. Since 2001 the society's headquarters have been at the Elm Bank Horticulture Center (36 acres), where as of 2006 the estate's neo-Georgian mansion is being renovated as the fourth Horticultural Hall.
In its mission statement, the society dedicates itself to encouraging the science and practice of horticulture and developing the public's enjoyment, appreciation, and understanding of plants and the environment. As of 2006, it had some 8,000 members.
[edit] Award Winners
- 1911 George R. White Medal of Honor - Victor Lemoine for his lifetimes contribution to horticulture.
- 1937 Thomas Roland Medal Winner - Arlow Stout for his pioneering work in the hybridization of daylilies
