Monett garden clubs display ongoing

Jessica Breger Special to the Monett Monthly

The Monett Historical Society and Museum jumped into spring this March with a focus on plants in Monett. 

The Museum features a new display exploring the garden clubs of Monett, while the March membership meeting for the organization centered around the city’s history as a strawberry hub. 

Strawberries were among the first commercial crops introduced in Southwest Missouri during the 1880s alongside the implementation of refrigerated produce carts on the Frisco Railroad.

With the Frisco Railroad and its refrigerated carts combined with the Railway Ice Company which produced approximately 160 tons of ice per day, Monett was uniquely equipped to become a leading hub for shipping the fruit all across the nation. 

The 1920s were considered to be the heyday of the strawberry industry in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas.

It was at this time Monett became known as the Strawberry Capital of the World as farmers throughout Berry county would meet in Monett during strawberry season to ship their produce. 

Presenter Jim Randall, a Monett attorney, spoke on four generations of raising strawberries with railroad connections within the city.

The meeting had the highest attendance in recent history with more than 80 people gathering to hear about Monett’s fruitful history. 

In the museum, the newest display gave a look into the garden clubs that were once a staple in the community. 

The exhibit centers around a flower display designed and made by our own Carol Kay specially for the museum to showcase what the clubs of the past would present in shows. 

Consisting of mainly women in the community the garden clubs would enter into national competitions on growing flowers and produce as well as creating floral arrangements. 

While some clubs still remained through the early 2000s, the height of the garden clubs was said to be in the 1950’s through the 1960’s. 

With more women staying in the home at those times, garden clubs served as both community connections and educational opportunities. 

Members not only entered in competitions, but also learned gardening and farming techniques and nutritional advancements in social settings. 

The display showcases yearbooks from each of the eight garden clubs that existed in Monett during their peak as well as albums which hold photos and awards from local gardeners. 

Guests are welcome to browse the books to find their friends and family members, many of whom are still living in Monett today. 

While the garden clubs of Monett have fallen to the wayside in recent years, museum staff did note that similar competition and learning opportunities are still available with organizations such as the Master Gardeners club through the University of Missouri Extension.

The public is invited to learn more about local history and personal connection at the Te Monett Historical Society monthly membership meetings held  on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Monett Museum 422 E. Broadway St.

The Museum is open five days a week, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.