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The Old Mill Preservation Fund
Some background on the Old Mill: The Old Mill is the oldest existing industrial building in West Tisbury. It possesses strong historical associations with the development of West Tisbury from the early 17th Century onward. In 1937, the Garden Club rented the Old Mill to save the building from destruction; in 1942, the Garden Club was able to purchase the Old Mill. It has been the Garden Club's home and responsibility ever since. The Old Mill is the only building in West Tisbury to be listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. The Old Mill Preservation Fund is the name that Mill Committee members gave to the account to record contributions for the maintenance and improvements to the Old Mill. The Garden Club does fundraising on a continual basis in order to maintain and improve the Old Mill. With the OM Preservation Fund established, membership is asked to contribute to the Old Mill Fund or/and the Scholarship Fund when renewing their membership each year. In addition to the establishment of the fund, a committee was set up to determine what maintenance or projects need to be addressed. Periodically the Committee makes recommendations to the Board and based on funds and critical need, arrangements are made and improvements are overseen by the OM Committee. Blooming Art, the Club's largest fundraiser of the year is relied on heavily to support this fund, as is the Plant Sale the Garden Club hosts each Spring. We receive no local or federal government funding, so the Club relies on the generosity of individuals to maintain the Old Mill building and grounds. You may donate via our website by clicking HERE. Some recent Old Mill repairs: 2011- Rotted window jambs and frames replaced with cedar/windows primed and painted 2011- Electrical connection from outside pole to OM replaced 2011- Ground fault outlet installed and new smoke alarm outlet 2011- New circuit board The Garden Club applied for and received two grants from West Tisbury: In 2014 a grant of $30,000 enabled re-siding and re-roofing the Mill in white cedar and Alaskan cedar shingles, respectively. In 2018 a grant of $20,000 was used to install historically correct doors. 
The Garden Club's Windemere Program
Once a month Joan Eville and several Garden Club volunteers visit Windemere Nursing & Rehabilitation Center to enjoy a flower arranging session. In December, prior to Covid, the residents participated in making arrangements for their rooms at Windemere. The flowers are donated by Donaroma's Nursery in Edgartown, and the vases were given by the Chicken Alley Thrift Shop in Vineyard Haven. Joan is the Chair of the Windemere Committee; please contact Joan if you would like to volunteer! |
Martha’s Vineyard Garden Club Scholarship Fund
In a commitment to encourage future generations to preserve and improve our island and make the world a better and more beautiful place, the Club awards scholarships to Vineyard high school students bound for a college major in a field related to horticulture, landscape, environmental studies, farming, or other connected areas of study. Open to all graduating Martha’s Vineyard high school seniors and prior MVGC scholarship recipients; the scholarship is available subject to the approval of the MVGC Board of Directors annually. Scholarships are funded by member donations and proceeds from the Club's Blooming Art event. As a result of membership and community generosity, the Club has awarded over $21,000 in scholarships to Island graduates! The Club's Scholarship Committee reviews all applications. Awards are based on consideration of factors such as proposed field of study, GPA, extracurricular activities, employment, and stated financial need. The recipient is presented with the scholarship award at Senior Class Night by a member of the Scholarship Committee. Awards are required to remain confidential until after the class night presentations. You may donate via our website by clicking HERE. Some MVGC Past Scholarship Recipients 2021 Michael Noel $1500 2020 William Hermann $1500 2019 Julia Kane -Charter School $1500 2018 Devon Teves $1500 2017 Gavin Luenenberger $1500 2016 Astrid Tilton - Charter School 2015 Andrew Wiley $1200 2014 Jeremy Alley-Tarter $1200 2013 Jackson Koorse $1500 2012 Andrew Randall $2000 2011 Dakota Del Viento $3000 2010 Alexandra Ferland $3000 2009 Emilija Schreck $3000 2008 Nica Silva $3000 |