Timeline of Our History

On March 25, 1918, a meeting was held in the Independent Order of Foresters Hall to discuss organizing a Horticultural Society. The village was to be canvassed for members and an executive was appointed - President Reverend P.  J.McLaen, 1st Vice President William Hayes, 2nd Vice President J.W. Masson, Secretary Miss A Lowrie.

A board of directors was also installed: Mrs. William Loucks, Mrs .D. McKeracher, Mrs. Walker, Mrs. Harrington, Miss A.Lowrie, Mrs. Shepherd, Mr, E.J. Kyle, Mrs. George Sutherland, Dr. Proudfoot and Mr. Alfred Morrow.

On May 2, the Society had it’s first guest speaker, when Mr. Nummick of Ottawa gave a lecture featuring lantern views. On July19, there was a demonstration of modern canning practices presented by the Experimental Farm. The application from the government stated the Society could not be legally organized until 1919.

Membership was $1.

At a meeting held at the Independent Order of Foresters Hall on Jan. 13, the horticultural society became official and was called the Township of Russell Horticultural Society. The same slate of officers were elected and forwarded in the government application. That year the Society donated $6 for prizes for school children's gardens.

In March it was moved that the Society spend $10 a year on shrubbery to improve the appearance of Russell public buildings and so began the Society's role of beautifying the community.

It was decided that meetings would be held at least once every 3 months throughout the year. Bulbs were planted at three churches and the Registry Office.

The Society decided that the Secretary/Treasure would be paid a salary $10 annually. They also decided to send Reverend B. Morgan as the delegate to Toronto to the OHA convention and provide $20 to help pay the expenses.

A special meeting was held with lantern show slides from the Experimental Farm and there were discussions about having a flower show.

The Society committed to paying for plants and shrubs to be planted at the school and the gun plot which was on vacant lot on the corner of Broadway and Mill Streets where gun stands were located. The provincial government announce that they would increase grants to horticultural society from from $20 to $40.

August Flower Show was held.

The Society organized a Victory Garden Competition. Mrs. Fraser was presented with an Ontario Horticultural Society Ribbon. Memberships were $1.

In 1936, King George IV was crowned King after his brother, Edward VIII, abdicated the throne. On May 12, there was a Coronation Concert, and the main event was a debate on "Resolve that women are more of a benefit to rural communities than men”.  Miss Ester Stevenson B.A. and Miss A. Laurie of Russell argued for the affirmative and Mr. W.J. Steward, Inspector of Public Schools and Mr. Joseph Webb of Winchester argued against. The negative side was determined the winner by judges Miss M. McKeracher of Ottawa, Mr. Wilfred Boyd of Morewood and Mr. Stanley Fisher of Edwards.

Russell hosted the First District 1 meeting of directors.

A flower show was held and the prize list had 10 sections. Prizes were 1st 25 cents for specimens and 1st 60 cents, 2nd 40 cents, 3rd 25 cents for the decorative section.

Special meeting with “talkies”. Guest speakers Miss Slieter of the Women's Institute Illustrated lecture - "Inside and Outside Painting" augmented with "talkies" by a man from the International Harvester Company.

A big year for improvements to MacDougall Park. An ornamental cedar bridge was built and benches built by Arthur Fraser assisted by Meredith Rombough were installed along with a stone cairn with a globe covered electric light. Many people had their picture taken on the bridge, including some soldiers who were going off to World War II.

Society members and guests gathered at MacDougall Park to honour its benefactor Dr. MacDougall, who paid the cost of levelling the site and planting 100 trees. Some of these original 100 trees are still standing today.

First Annual Flower Show for our Society.

The Society held it’s third annual flower show. The program from the flower show indicates that a rose bowl was donated by T. Eaton Company for the highest number of first prizes and a coffee percolator for the second highest number of first place prizes earned at the show. Additionally, prizes were 1st $1, 2nd 75 cents, 3rd 50 cents. The winner of the largest onion and the largest carrot were each awarded $1.

The Trillium Award was started by the President Mrs. Cuthbert-Smith.

The Society sponsored planting of lilacs at three churches, the Legion Hall, the Mason Hall and the Curling Rink.

Membership fees $1.50

Membership fees $2.00

A new sign was installed at McDougall Park and two new trees were planted at the arena. Four meetings were held that year. In May there was the Spring Flower Home and Bulb Show and Tea, in August there was the Annual Flower Show, in September a Pot Luck Supper and in October the Annual General Meeting.

A flag pole flag was installed in MacDougall Park.

Lions Club planted a Tree for Peace in MacDougall Park. Eight delegates from our Society attend the OHA Convention in Windsor. Membership fees now $3.00.

Tour of the Esmond-White Farm (outside of Kemptville) well known gardeners on PBS TV.

The Society changed its name to the Russell and District Horticultural Society to include members outside the village of Russell. There was a bus Tour to the Montreal Botanical Gardens. A draft of a constitution was presented by Cleve Conlon and Betty E. Hay. The black-Eyed Susan (rudbeckia) was adopted as our Society flower when Alice Proper won the competition. A Life Membership plaque for outstanding long service was designed by noted Canadian artist and local Russell resident, Shirley Van Dusen.

Ina Kinkaid and Betty E. Hay were awarded the Society Service Award. A Trillium Award for the most attractive landscaping of a property seen from the street went to Marcel and Lorraine Nyenkamp.

Junior Gardeners program had 42 gardens judged.

A deceased relative of Dr. MacDougall, Jean Lind Cummings from Victoria B.C., gave a gift of $4,000 for the maintenance of MacDougall Park. Life Membership changed to 25 years of active service from 30 years. Autumn in the Country with the Russell Artist Co-op took place. Local homes were tuned into art galleries or tea rooms and 25 flower arrangements were provided by the Society to be placed in homes on the tour.

There was a motion to no longer have a Spring Flower Show and Tea and instead of two flower shows a year, just have the Annual Flower and Vegetable Show in August. There was a tour of the St. Lawrence Parks Commission Rose Gardens where a specialist guided members through the garden designs. The District 1 Trophy was awarded to Russell's Junior Gardeners for their outstanding program.

The Russell Pride Committee was established to improve the core area of the village of Russell. Jim Lee was asked to be the Society’s representative. The OHA District 1 Annual was held in Russell.

Heritage plants from Upper Canada were part of the annual flower show. The them was “No pesticides means Edible Flowers”.

The Duncanville Park near the bridge in the village on the Castor River, was officially opened.  This small Park was dedicated for the Society’s 75th anniversary. 95 hardy roses were started and planted by members in preparation. Ina Kincaid was honoured at the 75th Anniversary Dinner as she had 71 years of service to the Society! At the corner of Craig Street and Forced Road (just behind the Lions sign) Lois Rombough planted a sugar maple for beautiful fall colour as you enter Russell. The Flower and Vegetable Show moved from the Anglican Church to the Curling Club.

Bobbie Helpman provided heritage tomatoes at the plant sale at the Russell Curling Club. A bus trip to the Montreal Biodome and Botanical Gardens was enjoyed by members.

The Russell Township stopped providing grants to all organizations including our Society. This grant was used for grass cutting at MacDougall Park. This maintenance cost was transferred to the Township. Duncanville Park was transferred back to the Township. Grants from the province were decreased. Edible flowers were the subject of the Society booth at the Russell Fair. Membership fee $5.

There was a day trip to Rideau Hall and Beechwood Cemetery. Two new awards at the flower show were donated by Dr. And Mrs. Richard Thain - the Thain Plaque for the adult winner of best in show and the junior winner of best in show. This year saw the start of plant auctions at the General Annual Meeting lead by Jane Adlard.

Several of the old white pines in MacDougall Park, some over 100 years old, suffered severe damage from the ice storm this year. Bruce Hackett, an arborist, assessed the trees and with this information, a long term plan for the park, spanning 20 years, was drawn up by Jon Funston, the current President of Society. Russell Police Village 100th Anniversary was that year and hanging baskets on the lamp posts were suggested but it was decided that flags with Society emblem would be used instead and were installed from June to October that year. Life Memberships were awarded to Baukje Bakker, Alice Proper, Elizabeth Baas and Ken Dugdale.

Seeds were available for heritage tomatoes that spring. The Society ordered 600 tulip bulbs bred in Holland for the OHA, called the Millennium Tulip. 40 were planted in MacDougall Park and 150 were planted at the Russell Township Hall. The remainder were ordered by members and planted at various private gardens around the township. Art in the Park took place again this year, highlighting local artists’ work. The Butterfly Garden Project in McDougall Park was implemented and the Society paid for the planting of street planters with purple wave and German ivy. A bus trip to the Montreal Botanical Gardens and Biodome was organized.

The 20 year MacDougall Park plan project by Jon Funston continued with three damaged pine trees being removed, soil samples taken and a bird feeder put in place. A grant from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources helped to plant 10 trees in the park at cost of $1,000 - 4 maples, 2 walnuts, 2 shagbark hickories and 2 white pines. The Society helped to get 14 hanging flower baskets installed in Russell and they were maintained by a summer student hired by Township. OHA District 1 Annual was held in Russell where member Lois Rombough spoke about another past member of Russell, Garland Hall. Garland had stared a nursery called Bloom Health Garden and he was interested in new varieties of irises and lupins. At the world Famous Butchard Gardens on Vancouver Island there is a plaque to acknowledge Garland Hall as the man who developed the seed known as the Russell Lupins. Also in New Zealand, Garland Hall is noted to be the developer of the Russell Lupins. A junior pumpkin competition was held at the August flower show. The Society contributed to the Adopt a Book Program at the Russell Library.

Our membership this year was 172 members and the membership fee was $5.00.

The first Society web page was set up by Catherine Faubert. An agreement with the Russell Historical Society meant that our Society records could be stored at the museum. A road trip was organized to the Montreal Cultural Mosaic and the Botanical Gardens.

This year we had 167 members.

Bill Jones repointed the stone cairn and new beds were created at MacDougall Park.

More than 200 members.

A new concept for MacDougall Park was summited by Pat Stachon. A partnership with the Russell Legion allowed the Society to use the upper level for meetings. In turn, the Society planted and maintained beautiful gardens around the building and the Cenotaph.

The Junior Gardeners program won first place at the OHA convention. Greg Wheeler designed a logo for the Society.

This year saw a record 235 members.

The Township installed new stone dust pathways and the Society planted several shrubs and OHA centennial tulips in MacDougall Park. The Society also created a new garden bed at the Russell Museum. Members organized a cleanup of flower beds at the Township Hall and Cenotaph in Embrun which was in addition to the maintenance they did at the Russell Curling Club, Russell Pool, the Russell Legion and cenotaph and the Russell Agricultural Society flower bed in front of the arena.

The Society had 206 members this year and we met in the Russell Legion again this year.

Past President pins were awarded to Jon Funston and Pat Stachon. The new RDHS website, russellgardeners.ca was launched. Trees Canada and Russell Home Hardware provided funding for nine new trees to be planted - two columnar oaks, a gingko, two magnolias, a blue beech, a London plane tree, a sunburst locust and a robin hill serviceberry. The Canadian Wildlife Federation gave the Society a $500 grant for a wildlife friendly bed in MacDougall Park. The Society also received a $500 OHA grant for upgrades in the Park. Local opposition to the plans for a gazebo in MacDougall Park changed to new focus on a stone bridge. The Society named the bridge project as "Bridging the Past" and work started on planning and fundraising.

Membership fees were increase to $10 per adult, $7 per Junior with a maximum of $15 per family for Juniors. The Society hosted the OHA District 1 Annual General meeting at St. Thomas Aquinas High School. For the annual Plant Sale, the Society partnered with the Russell Bank of Nova Scotia who matched the funds raised. The Society had booths at the Russell Trade Show and the Russell Fair.

Around 200 members.

This year saw the amalgamation of the August Fruit, Flower, Vegetable and Photography Show with the Russell Agricultural Society at the 150th Russell Fair held on September 4-7 in the Russell Curling Club.

In January the very first the Living Locally Fair was hosted by the Society in partnership with St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School. Lindley McPhail, Pegi Holtz and Ann Jackson were the driving force that made this event a tremendous success for more than 10 years to come. The main aim of the event was to make people aware of the potential of your own back yard and neighbourhoods. That first year there were 36 vendor booths and more than 800 people attended. There were 11 seminars including one on slow cooking demo and the Society provided soup and sandwiches for lunch, which was a great fundraiser. 

That summer, construction started in MacDougall Park on the very first dry stone bridge in a public park in Canada. The construction of the stone bridge was lead by the Russell and District Horticultural Society, supported by the Township of Russell and helped by a generous donation from the Russell Loins Club. There were numerous fundraising activities including purchasing virtual stones and a trivia night and auction organized by our very own Connie Johnson. Other special individuals who made huge contributions were Cindy Cluett, owner of Beyond the House, Scott Cluett who acted as project manager and bridge builder and teacher extraordinaire, John Shaw-Rimmington, from the Dry Stone Wall Association of Canada. One thing that made this project so very extra special was the incredible support from the community. People who brought drinks and snacks to the workers, others who brought rocks to be included in the bridge and many who just stopped by to admire the progress. The love and support for this very special project was amazing and a very special thing to be part of.

President Lindley McPhail won the OHA Trillium Award at the OHA Convention in Barrie. This prestigious award is given for outstanding service to Horticultural Societies and/or the Ontario Horticultural Association for an extended period. Lindley also won the Tri-Valley Conservation Award and a special recognition award, the Danny Proux, from the Russell Lions Club. These awards were well deserved and we are very proud of Lindley.

This year saw a new venue for the Plant Sale as we moved to the ball diamonds at the Russell Fair Grounds due to construction changes to the Russell Arena and Curling Club.

The third Living Locally Fair saw over 60 exhibitors and nearly one thousand visitors.

The Society installed a garden for the new Russell Library Branch which was design by Beyond the House. Some of the funds came from donations in memory of former Russell Township Mayor Michael McHugh. The Society held an outdoor plant Sale at MacDougall Park with plants from members’ gardens and seedlings grown by students from St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School in their greenhouse.

Living Locally Fair grew to 90 vendors and 1375 attendees not including children.

President Lindley McPhail was named Ontario Senior of the Year by the Russell Township Mayor J.P. St-Pierre. The Society sold rain barrels to raise money for the Children's Fantasy Reading Garden to be started next year at the new Russell Library Branch on Concession Street.

The Living Locally Fair had 97 registered vendors an estimated 3000 visitors.

This was the first year the Society put on a new fundraiser - March It On Out - in partnership wth St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School. Donated items are sorted and displayed and for only $10 per adult, attendees were allowed to take whatever they wanted.

The first phase of the Russell Library Children's Fantasy Reading Garden started and the Society spent more than $20,000 on the layout, pathway, edging, trees and planting. There was a June flower show, Russell Fair Booth and the Fair Flower Show was well attended. A Life Membership was awarded to Marianne Vedder who had acted as Secretary for many years and continues to be an active Director.

The sixth Living Locally Fair continued to grow with 130 exhibitors and 4000 attendees.

The second March It On Out was a big success in spite of there being a snow storm that day. District 1 hosted the OHA Convention for the very first time this year. The event took place at the Nav Centre, in Cornwall. The theme was “A River Runs by It”, in reference to the many rivers that wind their way around eastern Ontario. A committee representing volunteers from seven societies and lead by the District 1 Director Pat Stachon from Russell ran a very successful event. This year saw the opening of the Children's Fantasy Reading Garden at the Russell Library Branch. This was an ambitious Russell And District Horticultural Society project with the help of the businesses and members of community and Russell Township.

It was Russell and District Horticultural Society’s turn to host the District 1 Annual General Meeting again this year and this time the theme was "Hats Off To Us" in reference to the successful OHA 108th Annual Convention. The Society supported the Russell Re-Leaf Project - by donating money to help Beyond The House to subsidize the cost of planting trees. Tree seedlings were purchased from the Ferguson Tree Centre in Kemptville - planted by Grace Stapper and Marianne Vedder to grow for future fundraisers. The Junior Gardeners program was led by Diane Wade, Mary Lynn Lackie and Suzanne Leger. 41 Junior members participated and 35 showed their harvest and/or crafts at the Russell Fair in Sept alongside the adult RDHS members.

Pat Stachon, past President RDHS and past OHA District 1 Director was presented a Life Membership Award by Margaret Helliker and Mary Regan Assistant Director of District 1. The Society purchased 3000 Canada Celebration tulips that were planted in public places around Russell and Embrun to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday in the spring of 2017. President Award presented to Jacqueline Wyss by RDHS President Carole Van Die for outstanding design and many years as our web master and involvement with our Society annual yearbook. Life Memberships to Pegi Holtz and Lindley McPhail both past Presidents. 

49 children registered for Junior Gardeners this year.

134 vendors were at this year’s Living Locally Fair. A Royal High Tea for Canada’s 150 celebration was held at the Russell Meadows and then two horse drawn carriages to see the 150th Celebration Tulips. Society members marched in the July 1 Canada Day Parade in Russell.

The 10th annual Living Locally Fair saw 137 vendors. The Hamilton Road Christmas House Tour was held. A dedication ceremony at the Russell Meadows Senior's residence for the Fountain donated by our Society in appreciation of our generous welcome to use their facilities for our monthly meetings (prior meeting space was at the Russell Legion).

This year saw many events to celebrate Russell and District Horticultural Society’s 100th anniversary. Exposing Russell Gardeners, a Calendar Girls type calendar was printed to celebrate. A Christmas House Tour was held and a contest called “Where is Rudi?", where to participate you had to spot the location of a metal sculpture of our Society's flower the Rudbeckia created by local metalworkers. Stephen Lyall donated a metal sculpture of a raven on a mailbox as a fundraiser. 100 trees were made available at 30% off to be bought and planted by Horticultural Society members from Beyond the House. Centennial Mini Flower Competitions at several meeting through out the year.

The 12th Living Locally Fair was a huge success with 102 exhibitors and about 4,500 attendees. We didn’t know it, but this would be the last Living Locally Fair hosted by the Russell and District Horticultural Society. In March 2020 a global pandemic shut down everything and we couldn’t meet in person for the rest of the year. We didn’t have a Yearbook this year but the Board of Directors wanted to keep our members connected, so we sent out newsletters so we could stay in touch.

We didn’t have a Yearbook again this year and since we were still not able to meet in person, we held some virtual meetings over Zoom, with great guest speakers. It wasn’t the same as seeing everyone in person, but it helped to see our gardening friends if only virtually. We even held a virtual sunflower show where members could submit photos and we all voted on our favourites. This was also the first year that we sold memberships virtually by accepting electronic payments. By November things restrictions had eased and we were able to meet again in person for our Annual General Meeting. It was so nice to be back together.

We had nine meetings this year and 17 Junior Gardeners registered for the program and the Juniors exhibited at the Russell Fair. We had workshops, day trips and held the annual Plant Sale.

160 new and returning members.

The Society held meetings with guest speakers, workshops, day trips, the annual Plant Sale, and even March it on Out was back. We also contributed to Russell Township's 125th celebrations.

143 members. We hosted the OHA District 1 Annual General Meeting. Our theme was “Leaping into Leap Year” and we decorated with lots of frogs!