Early History of the Upper Keys Garden Club
On June 10, 1952 ten ladies met at the home of Mrs. Everett Perkins and formed a club "of civic and cultural advantage to native plant growth in the Keys," named the Key Largo Garden Club. There were many interesting and informative meetings, with members preparing papers and demonstrations of their experiences dealing with such things as rock melons, limes, tomatoes, native roses, compost beds, etc. Original membership was limited to twenty members because of meeting in private homes. Many of these places were destroyed by Hurricane "Donna" in 1960.
By 1954 the club had grown so large that it was voted to form a second one - the original to serve Key Largo area and the new Upper Keys Garden Club to serve Islamorada, Matecumbe, and Plantation Keys. By-Laws were accepted and on September 11, 1956 in Key West, fifteen Charter Members, including Francis Tracy and Margaret Bond, signed our legal charter as a non-profit organization. The Charter stated that "the general nature and objects of the Corporation shall be to foster, promote, develop, protect and conserve the natural beauties of the Upper Keys through education and publicity…..and…..to encourage cooperation of all members, residents and visitors in these matters.”
The Club's first flower show was held at Coral Shores School in 1956 in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce and Dr. Fred Bond served as chairman. Beautification of Coral Shores School began in 1957 and by 1960 was noted as the most beautiful school grounds in the state. After Hurricane Donna in 1960, the grounds of the Hurricane Monument in Islamorada and Islamorada Beach Park were cleaned and trees and plants were planted.
With sixty members in 1962 the need for a larger meeting space was urgent. Under the presidency of Mrs. Arthur Gasser this major undertaking was realized when Dr. Fred Bond offered the piece of property that is currently our home. He stipulated that it never be sold for commercial use and that it be named the Francis Tracy Garden Center, to honor our "Angel of Mercy of the Keys." If the Garden Club should cease to operate as such the land will revert to the Bond Estate. Dr. Bond arranged for financing of our building project and our insurance. Many hours and much work went into raising money for the building. A mortgage of $8,000 was secured from the Bank of Florida in Homestead for the balance needed to complete the house.
Mr. George Coffin of Miami, without cost to the club, drew the plans for the house and D. L. Skidmore of Islamorada was the builder. A granite cornerstone, salvaged by Rodney Albury from a ship that sunk off a reef in Tavernier in 1890, was placed in the south side front wall. It features the names of all Garden Club members.
The first meeting in the new building was held September 1964 and an official public opening was held in November 1964 with over 200 friends present. Many donations of furnishings and equipment were gratefully received including tables by Mr. Arthur Miller in memory of his wife. Each member was asked to purchase one chair at $3.75; one hundred were purchased. Through fundraising the $8,000 mortgage was satisfied on December 4, 1967. Mrs. Tracy, at 90 years of age, lit the flame to burn the mortgage. Mrs. Tracy served the club faithfully for eighteen years, until her death in 1970.