The Cottage Gardeners celebrated 85 years in Marblehead and Swampscott with cake, stories and a look to the future.
“To every single one of you —past, present and future Cottage Gardeners — thank you for 85 years of dirt under our nails, laughter over tea, ice cream in February and friendships that bloom brighter than any prize-winning rose,” Cottage Gardeners Co-President Colleen Connor said at an anniversary celebration Dec. 9. “Here’s to the next 85 years. May our … hearts stay absolutely, gloriously rooted in this extraordinary club.”
The Cottage Gardeners started in 1940 with 20-30 members.
Cottage Gardeners at their Mother’s Day plant sale in 2025. COURTESY PHOTO
“In 1940, when this club began, gas was 11 cents a gallon, Glenn Miller was topping the charts and apparently every woman in town wanted into our club so badly that we had a waitlist,” Connor said.
The club leads community projects, maintaining gardens at the Hooper Mansion and Devereux Beach. During the holidays, members also help decorate the Hooper Mansion and work with the Edith Dodge Memorial FUnd to prepare boxes of cookies for distribution. Each May, Cottage Gardeners hosts a huge plant sale, which is moving to the VFW on West Shore drive this spring.
Throughout its history, Cottage Gardeners has made thousands of wreaths and bouquets for those in need.
Frances Levy-Freiman, left, and Colleen Connor, co-presidents of the Cottage Gardeners, slice a cake celebrating the club’s 85th anniversary. CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
Asked what sets Cottage Gardeners apart from other local clubs, Connor told the Current it’s a “down to earth, laid back, cottage garden vibe, relaxed and easy going. It’s really about our community and friendships, while learning about gardening practices. I always say, you don’t have to be a master gardener, you don’t even have to have a garden. But you should like to get your hands dirty because we are active at the Hooper Garden and Devereux Garden.”
At the 85th anniversary celebration, the club honored its longest running member, Ann Huber, who joined in the early 2000s and helped double participation.
Cottage Gardeners at the Christmas Walk this month. COURTESY PHOTO
Frances Levy-Freiman, co-president of the Cottage Gardeners, hands flowers to club member Ann Huber, who was honored for her decades with the group. CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
“We salute you, Ann,” Connor said. “Thank you for your vision, your mischief, your endless generosity and for proving that the best way to grow a garden is to grow a community right along with it.”
Cottage Gardeners meet monthly at the JCC, 4 Community Road. It is hosting a community meeting on Jan. 13 for people interested in becoming members. For more information, visit cottagegardeners.net.
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