About Us
CRGC is organized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and are a federated club as we are are members of the National Garden Clubs, Inc. (NGC), Deep South Region (DSR), Florida Federation of Garden Clubs (FFGC) and District VI. We expand our knowledge of gardening, horticulture, landscape design, and flowers from each other and through the schools managed by NGC and FFGC. All members have access to the activities and opportunities from any of these groups. See the NGC Education for complete information for the class schedules.
All are welcome to read FFGC’s quarterly publication “The Florida Gardener” online.
Club activities are supported by renting our building out for a wide, wide variety of events. Our gorgeous side garden has two arbors and is perfect for weddings. Email the Rental Agent today at crgardenclub@gmail.com or call 321-631-4628 to inquire about availability and visit the space. Read about our history below.
Awards Highlights
1998-1999 Leadership Award, Mary S. Compton Award for Publicity Community Service
1999-2000 Garden Club of the Year
2003-2004 Horticulture Program
2005-2006 Mary S. Compton Award for Publicity
2006-2007 FFGC Award for Excellence for a Circle/Club
2007-2008 Park Planting
2008-2009 Community Service
2015 President’s Special Project Award – Water
2018 National First Place - A Calendar of Holidays
History
The Cocoa-Rockledge Garden Club was organized in the Sun Room of the Cocoa House on March 27, 1927., and federated in 1928. The first flower show was held in the arcade of Delannoy Avenue in 1928. After leaving the Cocoa House, meetings were held in the Library, Old City Hall and, lastly, in private homes before moving into the new Garden Center built in 1964.
During 1951-52, the Club reorganized into four circles—Spade and Trowel, Green Thumb, Straw Hat, and Sun and Sand, and in 1982, Dirt Daubers was formed. The circles reunified into one club in 2012.
Accomplishments
The Garden Club has received many awards and honors for outstanding flower shows, outstanding Club of the Year in the State, several leadership awards, state and national world gardening awards, and more. Accomplishments by the Club include working with the State of Florida to declare Indian River Drive North and South, as well as Tropical Trail North and South, as scenic drives. The Garden Club maintains the Blue Star Marker on Route One and has installed beautification projects in the surrounding public areas. The Garden Club designed and landscaped the grounds of the park, adjoining the Historic Derby Street Chapel in Cocoa Village.
The Club is responsible for establishing Bartram Trail markers, after William Bartram, an early environmentalist who traveled the southeastern U.S. and discovered the Longwing butterfly in Brevard County, Florida. He published “Bartram’s Travels” in 1791.
In 1980, FFGC past president Van Blanchard designed the Bartram Trail Markers placed on the routes traveled by Bartram. Mrs. Allan Cruickshank, a Cocoa-Rockledge Garden Club member, was instrumental in placing three markers in Brevard County. In 1981, the first marker was placed off State Road 46 at Hatbill Road, and in 1984 two markers were placed and dedicated at the Canaveral Wildlife Seashore. In March 2016, the Club donated $100 toward the installation of a Blue Star Marker at the new Cape Canaveral National Veterans Cemetery.
Our Building
The Cocoa-Rockledge Garden Club, Inc. built the present Garden Center in 1963, with the dedication occurring in April 1964. The Club holds a special deed with the City of Rockledge to lease the land for $1.00 a year for 100 years, with 47 years remaining as of this year.