| The initial plan in founding the now historic Berkshire | | | | having been manager of a large estate, and, before |
| Garden Centers specified that the Center was to be, | | | | that, an entomologist for the U. S. Department of |
| "For a year's trial...A plot of land with a suitable building | | | | Agriculture. More important, he had the enthusiasm and |
| has been offered...If the experiment is a success it is | | | | personality so essential for such an ambitious |
| hoped the Center may become a permanent | | | | community undertaking. The first year, 1935, was |
| institution." The founders little dreamed how quickly the | | | | largely one of sod breaking and organization. With little |
| young venture, so modestly launched, would blossom | | | | equipment and few tools to start with, the new |
| into an institution of its own. The objectives of the | | | | director went to work with energy and gusto. Land for |
| founders, however, were neither timid nor modest. | | | | the trial gardens was plowed and fitted, the house |
| These included: 1) A gathering place where amateur | | | | was furnished with simple things, mostly donated, Mr. |
| gardeners may meet. 2) A reference library. 3) A file | | | | Simpson and his wife occupied one side of the house, |
| of catalogs and a plant buyers' index. 4) The services | | | | the other side being a small assembly room and a tiny |
| of a resident horticulturist, who will carry on an | | | | combination office and library. |
| experimental garden, give advice and information free | | | | On May 22, a pilgrimage of forty members and |
| of charge to all members and try out and report on | | | | officers of the Garden Club Federation of |
| new plants and seeds, and provide a plant and seed | | | | Massachusetts arrived. Although the season was late, |
| exchange for members. 5). Monthly meetings or field | | | | and not even the apple trees were in bloom, the |
| trips. Special programs each month, and flower | | | | visiting gardeners overlooked the sketchiness of the |
| displays, plus regular monthly children's programs. | | | | new Center and enthusiastically endorsed the project. |
| The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts voted | | | | That summer, Mr. Simpson freely admits, was one of |
| to encourage the Center, and to make it the focal | | | | trial and error. But progress was definitely made. The |
| point of their annual pilgrimage the following spring. That | | | | warden of Round Hill Reservation, Connecticut, held a |
| put the sponsors of the Center on their toes; they had | | | | Nature walk for children. This proved so popular that it |
| to be ready! At the first meeting in November, 1934, | | | | has become a yearly event. A dry wall bordering the |
| which was attended by thirty-five people, Mrs. | | | | highway was undertaken, and a day-lily garden was |
| Bernhard Hoffman was elected president, and at a | | | | laid out by Mr. Edward F. Belches, a landscape |
| meeting held a month later, Mr. Simpson was engaged | | | | architect who has contributed much to both the |
| as horticultural director. He had a sound background, | | | | beauty and the "master plan" for the Center. |
