About Us

Springfield Civic Garden Club, (SCGC), is a member of both The Garden Clubs of Illinois, Inc. and National Garden Clubs, Inc. SCGC serves members in the greater Springfield area.

SCGC was organized on Friday, March 1, 1929, at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel by a group of Springfield citizens representing various phases of the city's life. The purpose: "helping to make Springfield a more beautiful city, wishing to cooperate with every organization and every individual with similar aims." The main project this first year was to sponsor the 20 th annual exhibition of the American Gladiolus Society, which was a very successful venture for both clubs.

Shortly after Lake Springfield became a reality, Mrs. Knudson conceived the idea of a garden as a living memorial to Abraham Lincoln. She appealed to city officials, who endorsed the idea if a sponsor could be found. She then took her ideas and plans to the Garden Club of Illinois, of which she was a board member. The State Garden Club accepted the sponsorship of the Lincoln Garden as its major project. On October 4, 1938, the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Garden, (LMG), designed by Jens Jensen was dedicated. SCGC and LMG are intertwined and 1/3 of the LMG board members must be garden club members. SCGC and GCI presidents are LMG board members.