The Seven Hills Garden Club was founded in 1937 to "stimulate an interest in horticulture for purposes of civic betterment, and to enable each member to enjoy her own garden more intelligently." This women's club took its name from the seven hills in Providence, Rhode Island; its members lived in the surrounding area. Although men were not necessarily excluded, there is no indication of male members. Membership was limited to forty and the club met bimonthly. Members heard lectures, went on tours and to garden shows, participated in shows, gave plants to preservation societies, and, at one point, offered gardening tips on a radio show. The SHGC was a member of the Rhode Island Federation of Garden Clubs.
For a brief history, written on the occasion of the Seven Hills Garden Club's 25th anniversary, see box 2, folder 1.
There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Seven Hills Garden Club records, Ms. 91.17, Brown University Library.
These records were kept in two notebooks ("scrapbooks") by the Seven Hills Garden Club (Providence, Rhode Island) librarian and include by-laws, programs, clippings, photographs, some minutes, membership lists, memorial tributes to past members, and reports. In addition to documenting a women's club and the horticultural activities of a number of Providence women over several decades of the twentieth century, this collection provides some information about individual members and about the Rhode Island Federation of Garden Clubs.
The notebooks were disassembled for preservation purposes. Most items remain glued or taped to the pages, some have come loose, and others were not attached originally.
The records are arranged in a single series, consisting of two club scrapbooks.
The records of the Seven Hills Garden Club were given to the John Hay Library by Nino Scotti in September 1991.
RESOURCES BEYOND BROWN:
Brown University Library catalog record for this collection: