Founded:
Unknown
Year Hutchinson Medal awarded:
1960
The Garden Club of America (GCA) is a prestigious nonprofit organization founded in 1913 by twelve garden clubs from the eastern and central United States. Its mission is to promote the knowledge and love of gardening, encourage environmental stewardship, and support civic improvement through education and action.
Headquartered in New York City, GCA has approximately 18,000 members across 200 clubs in 40 states and Washington, D.C. It focuses its efforts on horticulture, conservation, creative arts, historic preservation, and environmental protection.
Examples of GCA initiatives:
- Historic Preservation: GCA has documented hundreds of American gardens, many of which are now part of the Archives of American Gardens at the Smithsonian Institution.
- Conservation Efforts: Has advocated for the preservation of California redwoods since the 1930s.
- Offers annual scholarships, including a scholarship for wetland research.