Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.

Men's Garden Club of Kent records

Special Collections and Archives

Men's Garden Club of Kent records

You are here

Special Collections and Archives

Men's Garden Club of Kent records

You are here

Repository: Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.
Title: Men's Garden Club of Kent records
Inclusive Date(s): 1946-2010
Author: Finding aid prepared by Mikkala Wilcox
Creation: Finding aid encoded by Mikkala Wilcox using the OhioLINK EAD Application in 2019
Origination: Men's Garden Club of Kent (Kent, Ohio)
Extent: 4 cubic feet (4 record storage boxes)
Physical Location: 11th Floor
Finding Aid Identifier: OhKeUSC0207
Abstract: This collection contains board meeting records, news clippings, correspondence, financial records, photographs, and subject files for the Men's Garden Club of Kent, Ohio. Included in this collection is Backyard Pests, the club's newsletter.
Language(s): The records are in English

History of Men's Garden Club of Kent

The Men's Garden Club of Kent (MGCK), a branch of the National Men's Garden Club America, was founded on April 28, 1947 by Ray Cheetham and Lawrence Bundy after several men started meeting in the "Old" Methodist Church in Kent, Ohio. The club was officially started on March 22, 1948, when the Kent club was chartered by the national club. On January 15, 1957 then Ohio Secretary of State, Ted Brown, issued the articles of incorporation. The first president of the MGCK was Charles Sumner. The club has held flower shows, plant sales, horticulture shows and other events for the community and club members with the aim of raising money for community projects. The club worked with the community, doing programs for youth gardeners and a community garden for the Kent area, as well as beautification projects for numerous Kent locations. The MGCK created a club newsletter titled Backyard Pests, which was published once a month, every year starting in 1951. The club started accepting female members in 1990 and changed its name from "Men's Garden Club of Kent" to "Garden Club of Kent" in 1998-1999.

Scope and Content

The Men's Garden Club of Kent collection contains board meeting records, news clippings and photographs of various club related events and news, correspondence between members and other individuals/corporations, club related financial records, and subject files, which contain files on anything from club hosted program materials to membership information. This collection also contains the Men's Garden Club of Kent produced club newsletter, Backyard Pests. The included issues range from 1951-2010, with some years and months missing.

Statement of Arrangement

This collection is divided into the following series.
Series 1: Backyard Pests
Series 2: Board Meeting Records
Series 3: Clippings
Series 4: Correspondence
Series 5: Financial Records
Series 6: Photographs
Series 7: Subject Files


Preferred Citation

Men's Garden Club of Kent records. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.

Controlled-Access Headings:
The following are found in this collection:

Subjects:
Men's Garden Club of Kent (Kent, Ohio) -- Archives
Garden Club of Kent (Kent, Ohio) -- Archives
Gardening -- Ohio -- Kent -- Societies, etc. -- History
Men -- Ohio -- Kent -- Societies and clubs -- History
Kent (Ohio) -- Societies, etc. -- History
Clubs -- Ohio -- Kent -- History
Persons:
Cheetham, Ray
Bundy, Lawrence
Brown, Ted
Sumner, Charles
Functions:
Clubs -- Management
Places:
Kent (Ohio)
Occupations:
Civic leaders
Material Types:
Handbooks and manuals
Directories
Business correspondence
Business records
Newsletters
By-laws
Constitutions
Financial records
Photographs
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Minutes (Records)



Detailed Description of the Collection

Series 1: Backyard Pests, 1951-2010
Box 1 / Folder 1
MGCK: Backyard Pests: Editors and Title Masthead, 1952-1986
Box 1 / Folder 2
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1951
Box 1 / Folder 3
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1952
Box 1 / Folder 4
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1953
Box 1 / Folder 5
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1954
Box 1 / Folder 6
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1955
Box 1 / Folder 7
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1956
Box 1 / Folder 8
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1957
Box 1 / Folder 9
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1958
Box 1 / Folder 10
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1959
Box 1 / Folder 11
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1960
Box 1 / Folder 12
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1961
Box 1 / Folder 13
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1962
Box 1 / Folder 14
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1963
Box 1 / Folder 15
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1964
Box 1 / Folder 16
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1965
Box 1 / Folder 17
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1966
Box 1 / Folder 18
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1967
Box 1 / Folder 19
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1968
Box 1 / Folder 20
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1969
Box 1 / Folder 21
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1970
Box 1 / Folder 22
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1971
Box 1 / Folder 23
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1972
Box 1 / Folder 24
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1973
Box 1 / Folder 25
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1974
Box 1 / Folder 26
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1975
Box 1 / Folder 27
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1976
Box 2 / Folder 1
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1977
Box 2 / Folder 2
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1978
Box 2 / Folder 3
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1979
Box 2 / Folder 4
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1980
Box 2 / Folder 5
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1981
Box 2 / Folder 6
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1982
Box 2 / Folder 7
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1983
Box 2 / Folder 8
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1984
Box 2 / Folder 9
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1985
Box 2 / Folder 10
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1986
Box 2 / Folder 11
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1987
Box 2 / Folder 12
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1988
Box 2 / Folder 13
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1989
Box 2 / Folder 14
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1990
Box 2 / Folder 15
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1991
Box 2 / Folder 16
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1992
Box 2 / Folder 17
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1993
Box 2 / Folder 18
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1994
Box 2 / Folder 19
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1995
Box 2 / Folder 20
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1996
Box 2 / Folder 21
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1997
Box 2 / Folder 22
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1998
Box 2 / Folder 23
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 1999
Box 2 / Folder 24
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 2000
Box 2 / Folder 25
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 2003
Box 2 / Folder 26
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 2004
Box 2 / Folder 27
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 2006
Box 2 / Folder 28
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 2007
Box 2 / Folder 29
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 2008
Box 2 / Folder 30
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 2009
Box 2 / Folder 31
MGCK: Backyard Pests, 2010

Series 2: Board Meeting Records, 1959-2002
Box 3 / Folder 1
MGCK: Board Meeting Records, September 1959
Box 3 / Folder 2
MGCK: Board Meeting Records, May 1964-August 1965
Box 3 / Folder 3
MGCK: Board Meeting Records, September 1965-December 1966
Box 3 / Folder 4
MGCK: Board Meeting Records, January 1967
Box 3 / Folder 5
MGCK: Board Meeting Records, January 1968
Box 3 / Folder 6
MGCK: Board Meeting Records, September 20, 1973
Box 3 / Folder 7
MGCK: Board Meeting Records, September 1974-December 1976
Box 3 / Folder 8
MGCK: Board Meeting Records, 1980-1996
Box 3 / Folder 9
MGCK: Board Meeting Records, 1998
Box 3 / Folder 10
MGCK: Board Meeting Records, 1999
Box 3 / Folder 11
MGCK: Board Meeting Records, 2000
Box 3 / Folder 12
MGCK: Board Meeting Records, 2001
Box 3 / Folder 13
MGCK: Board Meeting Records, 2002
Box 3 / Folder 14
MGCK: Board Meeting Records, Undated

Series 3: Clippings, 1947-2009
Box 3 / Folder 15
MGCK: Clippings: Award Ceremonies, 1954-2009
Box 3 / Folder 16
MGCK: Clippings: Award Ceremonies, Undated
Box 3 / Folder 17
MGCK: Clippings: Club News, 1947-2008
Box 3 / Folder 18
MGCK: Clippings: Club News, Undated
Box 3 / Folder 19
MGCK: Clippings: Events, 1954-2009
Box 3 / Folder 20
MGCK: Clippings: Events, Undated
Box 3 / Folder 21
MGCK: Clippings: Obituaries, 1975-2001
Box 3 / Folder 22
MGCK: Clippings: Obituaries, Undated

Series 4: Correspondence, 1952-1999
Box 3 / Folder 23
MGCK: Correspondence, 1952-1999
Box 3 / Folder 24
MGCK: Correspondence, Undated
Box 3 / Folder 25
MGCK: Correspondence: Thank You Notes, 1973-1997
Box 3 / Folder 26
MGCK: Correspondence: Thank You Notes, Undated

Series 5: Financial Records, 1980-2004
Box 3 / Folder 27
MGCK: Financial Records: Audit Committee Records, 1980-1986, 2002
Box 3 / Folder 28
MGCK: Financial Records: Budgets, 1996-2004
Box 3 / Folder 29
MGCK: Financial Records: Club Project Budgets, 1983, 2000-2002
Box 3 / Folder 30
MGCK: Financial Records: Dues Notices, 2002-2003
Scope and Content
The club had yearly dues that had to be payed to the club in order to continue to be a member.
Box 3 / Folder 31
MGCK: Financial Records: Expense Reports and Statements, 1983-2001
Box 3 / Folder 32
MGCK: Financial Records: Investment Account History, 2001-2003, Undated
Box 3 / Folder 33
MGCK: Financial Records: Plant Sale Summary, May 22, 1999
Box 3 / Folder 34
MGCK: Financial Records: Treasurer's Report, 1980-2002

Series 6: Photographs, 1946-1992
Box 3 / Folder 35
MGCK: Photographs: Award Ceremonies, 1951-1985
Box 3 / Folder 36
MGCK: Photographs: Award Ceremonies, Undated
Box 3 / Folder 37
MGCK: Photographs: Club Members and Activities, 1946-1992
Box 3 / Folder 38
MGCK: Photographs: Club Members and Activities (Folder 1 of 4), Undated
Box 3 / Folder 39
MGCK: Photographs: Club Members and Activities (Folder 2 of 4), Undated
Box 3 / Folder 40
MGCK: Photographs: Club Members and Activities (Folder 3 of 4), Undated
Box 3 / Folder 41
MGCK: Photographs: Club Members and Activities (Folder 4 of 4), Undated
Box 3 / Folder 42
MGCK: Photographs: Fred Fuller Park, Undated
Scope and Content
The beautification of Fred Fuller Park was one of MGCK's civic projects in 1954.
Box 3 / Folder 43
MGCK: Photographs: The SEH Poster Awards, 1979

Series 7: Subject Files, 1947-2004
Box 4 / Folder 1
MGCK: Subject Files: Awards: Beautification and Landscape, 1981-1998, Undated
Box 4 / Folder 2
MGCK: Subject Files: Awards: Certificates, 1955-1981
Box 4 / Folder 3
MGCK: Subject Files: Awards: Award Winner Records, 1951-2001, Undated
Scope and Content
This folder contains lists of people who won various MGCK awards.
Box 4 / Folder 4
MGCK: Subject Files: Awards: Member Award Files: Fletcher Simpson, 1967
Box 4 / Folder 5
MGCK: Subject Files: Awards: Member Award Files: Harley G. Lappin, Undated
Box 4 / Folder 6
MGCK: Subject Files: Awards: Member Award Files: Ira Overholt, 1990
Box 4 / Folder 7
MGCK: Subject Files: Awards: Member Award Files: James Arthur Herrick, Undated
Box 4 / Folder 8
MGCK: Subject Files: Awards: Member Award Files: Jim Chalfant, 1990
Box 4 / Folder 9
MGCK: Subject Files: Awards: Member Award Files: Milfred W. (Biff) Staples, 1979-1981
Box 4 / Folder 10
MGCK: Subject Files: Awards: Member Award Files: Ray Cheetham, 1983, Undated
Box 4 / Folder 11
MGCK: Subject Files: Club Red Book (Folder 1 of 2), Undated
Scope and Content
The Red Book was a standardized handbook for all Men's Garden Club chapters.
Box 4 / Folder 12
MGCK: Subject Files: Club Red Book (Folder 2 of 2), Undated
Scope and Content
The Red Book was a standardized handbook for all Men's Garden Club chapters.
Box 4 / Folder 13
MGCK: Subject Files: Committees, 1981-1985, undated
Box 4 / Folder 14
MGCK: Subject Files: Community Gardens, 2001
Box 4 / Folder 15
MGCK: Subject Files: Constitution and By-Laws, 1976, 1985
Box 4 / Folder 16
MGCK: Subject Files: Guest Speaker Materials, 1980-1984, Undated
Box 4 / Folder 17
MGCK: Subject Files: History of MGCK, Undated
Box 4 / Folder 18
MGCK: Subject Files: KentFest, 1984-1988, Undated
Box 4 / Folder 19
MGCK: Subject Files: Kent Free Library Memorial Books, 1980-1999
Scope and Content
For many years, MGCK donated a book to Kent Free Library about gardening or plants in general in memory of a recently deceased member.
Box 4 / Folder 20
MGCK: Subject Files: Kent Free Library Memorial Books, Undated
Box 4 / Folder 21
MGCK: Subject Files: Member Sketches, 1978-1985
Box 4 / Folder 22
MGCK: Subject Files: Member Speeches, 1985-1986, Undated
Box 4 / Folder 23
MGCK: Subject Files: Membership: Life Time Members, 1980-1987
Box 4 / Folder 24
MGCK: Subject Files: Membership: Membership Applications, 1987-1990, Undated
Box 4 / Folder 25
MGCK: Subject Files: Membership: Brochures, Undated
Box 4 / Folder 26
MGCK: Subject Files: Membership: Membership Directory, 1985-2002
Box 4 / Folder 27
MGCK: Subject Files: Membership: Membership Lists, 1954- 1991
Box 4 / Folder 28
MGCK: Subject Files: Membership: Membership Roster, 1988-1990
Box 4 / Folder 29
MGCK: Subject Files: Officers, Chairmen, and Past Presidents, 1947-1985
Box 4 / Folder 30
MGCK: Subject Files: Officers, Chairmen, and Past Presidents: Installation of New Officers, 1986, 2001, Undated
Box 4 / Folder 31
MGCK: Subject Files: Pamphlets, Undated
Box 4 / Folder 32
MGCK: Subject Files: President's Message, 1984, Undated
Box 4 / Folder 33
MGCK: Subject Files: Programs: Annual Plant Sale Material, 1967-1993, Undated
Box 4 / Folder 34
MGCK: Subject Files: Programs: Annual Plant Sale Material: Pre-Plant Sale, 1982-1997, Undated
Box 4 / Folder 35
MGCK: Subject Files: Programs: Assorted Programs, 1955-1997, Undated
Scope and Content
This folder contains materials from an array of programs and events hosted by MGCK that did not pertain to events in other Programs folders.
Box 4 / Folder 36
MGCK: Subject Files: Programs: Flower Show, 1951-1979
Box 4 / Folder 37
MGCK: Subject Files: Programs: Horticulture Show, 2002-2004
Box 4 / Folder 38
MGCK: Subject Files: Programs: President's Banquet, 1962-2004
Box 4 / Folder 39
MGCK: Subject Files: Programs: Service Through Gardening, 1978-1992
Box 4 / Folder 40
MGCK: Subject Files: Proposal to Establish Scholarship, Undated
Box 4 / Folder 41
MGCK: Subject Files: Youth Gardeners, 1974-1985, Undated