Club History

1930: Founding members Mrs. A. Schuyler Clark, Mrs. John T. Harrison, Mrs. Frederick T. Bedford, Mrs. Wellington Bull, and Mrs. Charles I. DeBevois meet to form a small garden club who’s purpose was to share information and experience about gardening and learn the art of flower arranging. They name the club “South Shore Garden Club of Connecticut”. Mrs. DeBevois was elected the first President.

The club lobbies for the passage of a bill against indiscriminate billboards causing “roadside blight” and protests the proposal to cut down cherry trees surrounding the Jefferson Memorial.

The club has grown in number to include 46 members and joins the Garden Club of America (GCA). The GCA has another garden club of similar name, so a new name, Sasqua Garden Club, is chosen. It is believed the name derives from the Sasqua Indians, native to the area, who used an elm tree located on member Mrs. Hayes property to hang papooses while tilling the fields. All of these elements are reflected in the club’s logo.

• During World War II seeds were sent to Finland and Great Britain.
• A Sasqua house tour generates $1200 for the USO and British War Relief.
• A cannery is established in the Greens Farms School. Vegetables from victory gardens are canned by Sasqua volunteers who due to gas rationing, must bicycle from near and far.

The Council of State Garden Clubs recognizes Sasqua with a special achievement award.

Sasqua joins other garden clubs to form a Roadside Conservation Association.

The Council of State Garden Clubs recognizes Sasqua with an outstanding flower show award.

The Florens DeBevoise Medal was created by Mrs. Alden Bryan and presented by the Sasqua Garden Club in memory of its first president.

Sasqua holds a fashion show to fund its “Project Muddy Creek” a plan to beautify muddy brook at Greens Farms School into a wildlife sanctuary.

Sasqua wins the Founders Fund award to construct a project at the Mid-Fairfield County Youth Museum, presently Earthplace in Westport.

The Sasqua GC organized a radio program, a  series of eight talks covering the meaning of conservation, the importance of protecting marshlands, the issues of insecticides, and soil and water conservation.

Sasqua publishes 300 Years on the Harbor; a history of Southport.

Sasqua member Joy Shaw forms the Mill River Wetlands Committee. The club lobbies the State Department of Agriculture to enlarge the area designated as wetlands.

Sasqua organizes an exhibit of loaned flower paintings entitled “Masterpieces in Bloom” to benefit the New York Botanical Garden.

Sasqua restores the Frederick Bronson Windmill which was the first water supply for Greenfield Hill.

The Zone II Annual Meeting was hosted by Sasqua Garden Club at the Fairfield Historical Society. The meeting included a flower show at St. Paul’s Church and a trip to Aspetuck Valley Apple Barn where Christopher Roosevelt presented.

Sasqua celebrates its 50th birthday with a luncheon at Pequot Yacht Club.

The club plants a one-third of an acre parcel next to Pequot Library, known as the Sasqua Wild Flower Preserve. Plans for the park win first prize at the GCA Annual Meeting in San Fransisco.

Sasqua establishes the Zone II Kate Pitney Award given to someone who has exhibited talent in growing houseplants.

The club hosts a flower show entitled “On the Harbor” and begins its annual Holiday Party fundraiser.

Sasqua hosts the Zone II meeting at Pequot Library and Trinity Church Parish Hall.

An annual Plant Sale was established as a fundraiser for the club.

Sasqua begins its work at the Read School in Bridgeport, taking school children on field trips to local nurseries and providing in-classroom projects.

The club hosts a GCA Flower Show entitled “Postcards” at the Burr Mansion.

Sasqua celebrates 75 years at the home of Mary & Tom Hodgman and receives a Town Proclamation in recognition of its civic contributions.

First International Visiting Gardens trip to Quebec, with eleven members attending.

Sasqua Dontes $10,000 for beautification and tree planting around the Fairfield Theater Company in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Garden Club of America

During 2009 the club created an Endowment Fund to sustain and expand the club’s community activities.

The club hosts a flower show entitled “Splish Splash” in celebration of water, and receives ten Judges Commendations.

The club plans a fundraiser entitled “Tweet” to benefit its work at the Audubon Birdcraft.

Sasqua is awarded $7,500 as a GCA Founders Fund finalist for the club’s work at Birdcraft Museum & Sanctuary.

Sasqua hosts the Zone II Annual Meeting entitled “Sound Gardening”.

Sasqua pledges $10,000 to GCA’s Second Century Campaign.

Despite Covid-19 related challenges, the club installs a pollinator garden at the Fairfield History Center in conjunction with the Town of Fairfield, the Boy Scouts, and the Pollinator Pathway.