California Garden & Landscape History Society

California Garden & Landscape History Society. The California Garden & Landscape History Society (CGLHS) is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to the study, documentation, and preservation of the state's designed outdoor environments. Founded in the early 21st century, it serves as a central resource for scholars, professionals, and enthusiasts interested in the evolution of California's distinctive gardens, parks, and landscapes. The society fosters a deeper understanding of the cultural and horticultural forces that have shaped the region's outdoor spaces through research, public programs, and advocacy.

History and founding

The society was formally established in 2005 by a group of historians, preservationists, and horticulturalists who recognized a need for a dedicated organization focused on California's landscape heritage. Key early influences included the pioneering work of scholars like David C. Streatfield and the legacy of institutions such as the Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens. The founding coincided with a growing national interest in garden history and the preservation of significant designed landscapes, as seen in the work of the Garden Conservancy and the Library of American Landscape History. Initial meetings and symposia were often held in partnership with established entities like the University of California, Berkeley's College of Environmental Design and the Southern California Garden History Society.

Mission and activities

The core mission of the society is to promote the appreciation and stewardship of California's garden and landscape history through education and research. Its primary activities include organizing lectures, symposia, and tours that explore topics ranging from Mission-era gardens to mid-century modern landscapes. The society frequently collaborates with other cultural institutions, such as the California Historical Society, the Oakland Museum of California, and various local historical societies. It also engages in advocacy efforts related to historic preservation, often providing expert testimony on threatened landscapes of significance, and supports the documentation of important sites through surveys and archival projects.

Publications and resources

A key component of the society's work is the production and dissemination of scholarly resources. Its flagship publication is the peer-reviewed annual journal, which features articles on diverse subjects like the gardens of Julia Morgan, the park designs of John McLaren, and the influence of the Arts and Crafts movement on California residential landscapes. The society also publishes occasional papers, guides, and bibliographies. It maintains an online repository of research materials and promotes access to relevant collections at institutions like the University of California, Santa Barbara's Architecture and Design Collection and the Environmental Design Archives at UC Berkeley.

Notable projects and initiatives

The society has undertaken several significant projects to document and celebrate California's landscape heritage. One major initiative involved the research and nomination of the Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge to the National Register of Historic Places. Another project focused on the documentation of the work of landscape architect Thomas Church, known for iconic spaces like the Donnell Garden in Sonoma County. The society has also conducted oral history interviews with notable figures in California horticulture, such as Rosalind Creasy, and has developed educational programs about the legacy of Spanish-colonial and Mexican-era garden traditions in the state.

Organizational structure and membership

The society is governed by a volunteer board of directors composed of professionals from fields including landscape architecture, history, archival science, and horticulture. It operates with a small staff and relies heavily on the work of dedicated committees focused on programs, publications, and membership. Membership is open to the public and includes individuals, families, and institutions, offering tiers such as student, individual, and patron levels. Benefits typically include subscriptions to publications, discounts on events, and access to exclusive tours of significant private gardens and landscapes, such as those designed by Florence Yoch or associated with the Greene and Greene architectural firm. The society is headquartered in San Marino, maintaining close ties with the Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens.

Category:Organizations based in California Category:Garden history organizations Category:Historic preservation organizations Category:Organizations established in 2005