The Garden Club also maintains three historic cemeteries in town, where members of some of Westport’s oldest families like the Bedfords, the Taylors and the Jennings are buried. Club members provide the funds for mowing, spring and fall cleanup and general care, only regretful that they don’t have the funds for gravestone restoration.
“Frankly,” said Andrews, “we are concerned that if we don’t maintain the cemetaries no one else will.”
The Westport Garden Club is 60 members strong, comprised of a group of people who come together because of an interest in gardening, horticulture and landscaping. The club is a member of the Federated Garden Club of Connecticut, and holds monthly meetings, often with expert speakers.
In addition to the hands-on work, the Garden Club also provides a scholarship for a Staples High School senior who is interested in environment and preservation, and funds a program for elementary school students about preserving the Long Island Sound. They also lend financial support to select organizations around town.
Said Andrews, “I originally went to meetings to learn more about gardening. I ended up becoming very close with new friends there. As you work, you always learn from others who have a wealth of sophistication and experience. You always take something away.
“We feel a lot of pride in our work. We are so glad we are able to do it.”
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