by Lisa Schauer
In the Bicentennial year of 1976, Betty Lou Harmison, a prominent local historian, artist, Master Gardener and hostess at her Park View Inn, decided the Town of Bath needed beautification.
Harmison had already founded the Museum of Berkeley Springs to help preserve local heritage.
She then started the Foxglove Garden Club to bring more beauty to the town.
The club started planting and maintaining gardens in Berkeley Springs State Park, Fairfax Green, and along Washington Street.
Their first project was designing and installing an herb garden at the historic train depot, which now serves as the town’s visitor center.
After her passing in 2022 at the age of 95, Harmison’s love of history, gardening and conservation lives on in the Town of Bath.
Foxglove Garden Club celebrates its golden anniversary this year.
Club members crowded into a public meeting at Bath Town Hall on Tuesday, March 17 to be recognized by Council.
Mary Elko, president of Foxglove Garden Club, accepted a floral bouquet from Mayor Greg Schene, following his reading of a proclamation recognizing the club on its 50th anniversary.
Town of Bath Mayor Greg Schene presents a floral bouquet to Mary Elko, president of Foxglove Garden Club, on the occasion of the club’s 50th anniversary, Tuesday, March 17.
In her remarks, Elko commemorated Harmison’s tireless efforts to beautify the town, along with those of today’s garden club members.
“On behalf of the Town of Bath, it is my great honor as Mayor to extend our heartfelt
congratulations to Foxglove Garden Club on the occasion of their 50th Anniversary.
For five decades, Foxglove Garden Club has played a vital role in enhancing the beauty,
charm, and environmental stewardship of our community. Their dedication to gardening,
preservation, and civic pride has helped shape the welcoming character that defines the Town
of Bath and makes it such a special place to live and visit,” Schene said in a post on the town’s website.
The club continues to maintain public gardens and beautify community spaces in their 50th year with dedicated members.
This herb garden, installed at the historic train depot in 1976, was the first for Foxglove Garden Club.
Comments are closed.