Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

None

Use Restrictions

Consult repository for information

Preferred Citation

Fairfax Ferns Garden Club Records, MSS 05-69, Virginia Room, Fairfax County Public Library

Acquisition Information

Donated by Hildie Carney on December 31, 2018. Additional materials donated by Linda Hamerschlag in January 2022, and by Hildie Carney in February 2024.

Processing Information

Chris Barbuschak, February 2019, updated January 2022, updated October 2024
EAD generated by Ross Landis, 2024

Historical and Biographical Information

The Greenway Hills Garden Club was formed in 1957 in the new Greenway Hills subdivision, now known as Old Lee Hills. In March 1960, the club’s name changed to Fairfax Ferns as many new residents moved into the neighborhood. The group became affiliated with National Garden Clubs, Inc. in 1963.

The Fairfax Ferns’ mission is to promote an interest in gardening and to encourage civic improvements. The club is very involved in the City of Fairfax’s gardening needs which included designing, planting, and maintaining the Kitty Pozer Garden in Old Town Fairfax. The Fairfax Ferns host flower shows every other year which are open free to the public.

The club publishes a monthly newsletter called the “Fern Fax” and an annual yearbook which is dedicated to an outstanding member or a notable person in the City of Fairfax. Monthly meetings are held the first Monday of the month at the City of Fairfax Regional Library. A program is presented at the meeting relating to a particular gardening issue. The club also has other meetings such as tours, workshops, and demonstrations.

Scope and Content

The Fairfax Ferns Garden Club Records consists of 2.5 linear feet and spans the years 1957-2024 and consist of minutes, newsletters, yearbooks, awards and certificates, photographs, newspaper articles, and other ephemera. Awards include certificates of achievement, appreciation, congratulations, exhibition, and recognition. The Awards and Projects notebook contains photos of the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute; Fairfax Nursing Home; Commonwealth Doctors Hospital; Fairfax High School; and Earp’s Ordinary. Subjects covered are the history and activities of the Fairfax Ferns.

Related Material

None

Separated Material

None

Index Terms

• Fairfax (Va.) - History
• Fairfax Ferns Garden Club
• Gardening - Societies, etc. - Virginia - Fairfax
• Greenway Hills Garden Club

Adjunct Descriptive Data