Community Projects

The Garden Club of Barrington’s many philanthropic projects over the years have left a distinctive signature and brought a unique quality to our Barrington country community. Following are descriptions of our current philanthropic and civic projects in the Barrington area.

The Frances M. Peacock Lecture Series

Mrs. Robert C. Peacock, a long-standing member of The Garden Club of Barrington, made a bequest to fund a lecture series dedicated to topics of horticultural, flower arrangement or conservation merit. The Peacock Lecture is held annually, in the fall. Admittance is free of charge to the public.

Barrington Area Historical Society

In the mid 1990’s Garden Club members donated funds to renovate the “Applebee School House” at the Historical Society and landscape the adjacent area. This Schoolhouse was then able to be utilized for school groups and educational programs. In 2001, the Garden Club donated the gardens located adjacent to the Wichman Blacksmith building. Club members maintain and improve these flower and shrub beds throughout the year. “Work Days” are held between April and October to install new plant material and groom existing shrubs and perennials.

Barrington Area Library

The Garden Club of Barrington was instrumental in the design of the lovely terrace flower gardens on The Barrington Area Library property, funded its development and maintains the gardens. “Work Days” are held between April and October to install new plant material and groom existing shrubs and perennials.

Barrington Train Station

With the recent completion of the new Metra Station in Barrington, the Garden Club purchases and installs annuals each year to complement the permanent plantings provided by the Village of Barrington.

Alexander Stillman Nature Center

The Garden Club of Barrington provides ongoing financial support to this Nature Center. In 1998, the Club funded enhancements to the Accessibility Trail through the use of sensory and tactile plantings. Recently, the Club funded the Birdscape Landscape Project.

The Nature Lady Program in District 220 Schools

In conjunction with The Little Garden Club of Barrington, The Garden Club of Barrington established the Nature Lady Program in School District 220 in 1979. Volunteers, referred to as “Nature Ladies” visit all students in grades K-2 for Fall and Spring Nature Walks and also offer in-class presentations about nature related topics common to the Barrington countryside. The Nature Walks may take place on school grounds or at a nearby Nature Center. Recent Classroom presentation topics include: Bats, Butterflies, Frogs, Fish, Sugar Maples and Snakes. In addition, a special class, about the Illinois Prairie, is presented to the third graders as part of their study of the state of Illinois. “Nature Ladies” accompany students on a visit to the Grigsby Prairie to see, touch, and experience the prairie. The Garden Club of Barrington provides funding support for this program and Club members volunteer their time.

In 1990, The Citizens for Conservation awarded The Garden Club of Barrington and The Little Garden Club, the William H. Miller Conservation Award in recognition of outstanding contribution to conservation in the Barrington area for the Nature Lady Program.

The Chicago Botanic Garden

The Garden Club of Barrington provides ongoing financial support to the Chicago Botanic Garden. Recently, The Garden Club of Barrington, in conjunction with five Chicago area Garden Club of America member clubs, donated a water garden to the Great Basin at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Citizens for Conservation

The Garden Club of Barrington provides ongoing financial support to the Citizens for Conservation. In 1980, the Garden Club funded the first CFC Property Caretaker to patrol and monitor the 150 acres CFC owned at the time.

The Council of Barrington Area Garden Clubs

The Garden Club of Barrington supports and volunteers time and funding for three council projects each year. These are Arbor Day, National Garden Week and Barrington Beautification.

Additional Philanthropy

Hospice of Northeastern, IL

The Garden Club of Barrington was very pleased to contribute to the new Pepper Family Hospice House which opened in July, 2010. Our monies support the Healing Garden Fund and the Heritage Tree Fund. Both of these funds provide care and maintenance of the beautiful gardens and trees surrounding the Hospice House.

Smart Farm

The Garden Club of Barrington grants monies to Smart Farm. Smart Farm’s main goal is to grow fresh produce for the local food pantries. Also, it provides opportunities to learn about sustainable garden practices. www.smartfarms.org

Student Conservation Association

Yearly, The Garden Club of Barrington provides funding of two student summer internships. Established in 1955, the Student Conservation Association’s mission is to conserve public lands and encourage and train new leaders in conservation. www.sca.org

The Garden Club of America

Our club as a member of The Garden Club of America supports the numerous scholarships that the GCA sponsors yearly. The first scholarship was offered in 1928. To date there are more then 50 scholarships available yearly to qualified applicants. The scholarships are for undergraduate and post graduate students in a wide area of study, such as: horticulture, ecology, conservation, and landscaping. The GCA website has a complete listing of scholarships and fellowships. www.gcamerica.org