The Horticultural Society of New York enters its second century a growing and evolving institution.
Like many of its fellow cultural institutions founded around the turn of the last century,
HSNY has changed with the times, yet remains true to the original objective of its founders
in 1900: to improve the quality of life in New York through horticulture.
In the early years, HSNY attracted many who were products of the Victorian era's fascination with greenhouses, hybridizing, forcing bulbs, and sharing their knowledge with
a relatively small number. Over the next decades, the concept of "sharing" led to founding
the HSNY library in 1924, establishing formal lectures and adult education classes and,
of course, the New York Flower Show. During World War II, HSNY led the City in the Victory Garden movement.
Sharing knowledge and building interest continued when HSNY, under the guidance of its longtime Board chairman, Charles D. Webster, took the lead in establishing the community garden movement throughout New York City. Community gardens began to flourish in the 1960's and 1970's as vacant, rubble-strewn lots were converted to inspired and inspiring neighborhood oases through hard work by the community and information, support and guidance from HSNY board and staff.
Today, our library and education programs serve a diverse and wide range of New Yorkers. Our
community outreach programs at
Rikers Island and in a dozen
branch libraries and
public schools
throughout the City contribute to countless New Yorkers finding satisfying and productive lives.
HSNY works in partnership with the
Board of Education,
Brooklyn Public Library,
New York Public Library,
Queens Public Library,
New York Botanical Garden,
Brooklyn Botanic Garden,
Staten Island Botanical Garden,
The Department of Parks and Recreation,
The Department of Correction, and
The Department of Sanitation, as well as other non-profits, including
New Yorkers for Parks,
Green Guerillas, and, most recently, with the
Central Park Conservancy,
through our Education Program.
The private sector has been enormously generous too. Rockefeller Center, White Flower Farm,
The Bayberry, Rosedale, Marders, and Beds & Borders nurseries have donated plants, bulbs and seeds, and area contractors have contributed tools and supplies. They have all helped us bring horticulture to areas of our city often overlooked and underserved.
The Horticultural Society of New York
148 West 37th Street, 13th Floor
New York, NY 10018-6909
Tel: (212) 757-0915 Fax (212) 246-1207
E-mail Us
