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PRESS RELEASE On Receipt, March 22, 2004 Issaquah Garden Club Receives $650 Grant
(ISSAQUAH, WA) – The Issaquah Garden Club of Issaquah has been awarded a $650 grant from the Principal Financial Groupâ Historic Gardens Project. The funds will be used to restore/preserve/create the Native Plant Garden through the Garden Restoration Project at the Issaquah Historical Society. The National Garden Clubs, Inc. established the grant program under the sponsorship of the Principal Financial Group to enhance gardens at historic sites in communities across the nation. “We are thrilled to receive this financial boost from The Principal and the National Garden Clubs. The dollars will make it possible for us to complete the work needed to create a Native Plant Garden.” said Karen Lee, spokesperson from Issaquah Garden Club. "A native plant garden would assist the museum in its interpretive goals by giving visitors a better idea of what the vegetation may have looked like in this pioneer town. It would also help the museum to better interpret the Native American way of life by providing examples of plants used by local tribes for various purposes.” said Erica Maniez, Museum Director, Issaquah Historical Society. "Beautiful gardens in Issaquah bring pleasure to our residents and let visitors know that we are proud of our community and its heritage. Our gardeners grow more than flowers, they help sow seeds for future enjoyment and community prosperity.” added Karen Lee. "We greatly value our relationship with the National Garden Clubs, Inc., organization,” said Libby Jacobs, assistant director, the Principal Financial Group. “The Principal Financial Group Historic Gardens Project supports talented volunteer gardeners in their quest to create and preserve magnificent gardens. By providing grants to projects like the Garden Restoration Project, The Principal is able to leave a legacy of beauty in communities across the country.” The Gilman Town Hall was constructed in 1888, and was used as the town hall from 1898 until 1930. In 1972 the City purchased the building for the use of the Issaquah Historical Society; today it houses a museum that interprets the town’s history and the pioneer way of life. Local residents, school tours, and tourists from all over the world visit the museum to learn more about the community, and to see the first civic structure in Issaquah. The Issaquah Garden Club’s goal is to renovate the front garden at the Issaquah Historical Society and plant native plants representative of an earlier era. They designed and installed a native plant garden in the front of the building which is the first thing that visitors see when they arrive. They collaborated with the Washington Native Plant Society for their recommendations of native plants appropriate for the site conditions by evaluating the site together. The plants they selected are well suited to sunny and dry conditions, and they are beneficial to wildlife (birds and butterflies). Their intent is to have many evergreen plants installed which will make the garden look attractive in our rainy yet mild Pacific Northwest winters. The planting of the garden has already been started and a temporary drip irrigation system is being installed, with final completion of the garden including interpretative signage and ethno-botany brochure set for spring of 2005. For more information about Issaquah Garden Club, visit www.issaquahgardenclub.org. For more information about Washington State Federation of Garden Clubs, visit www.wagardenclubs.org. For more information about Issaquah Historical Society, visit www.issaquahhistory.org. About The Principal Financial Group Historic Gardens Project The National Garden Clubs, Inc., began the new grant program in June of 2003 under the sponsorship of the Principal Financial Group to create gardens at historic sites where no garden exists or to restore and/or preserve existing gardens at historic sites. Regions, states, districts, clubs and sponsored junior garden clubs were invited to apply for funding of up to $3,000. The project is a community outreach program of the Principal Financial Group Foundation Inc., which was formed in 1987. About National Garden Clubs, Inc. In May of 2004, National Garden Clubs (www.gardenclub.org) will hold a special ceremony at its headquarters at St. Louis in celebration of its 75th anniversary. National Garden Clubs members promote civic and roadside beautification, as well as educational opportunities for both adults and youth in landscape design, gardening, the environment and the judging and staging of flower shows. Today its quarter million members in 7,000 member clubs across the USA and in Mexico, Central and South America undertake projects and share ideas in all of these areas. With a current theme of “Preserving the Past-Forging the Future,” National Garden Clubs is strongly promoting the preservation and creation of gardens at historic sites, while also promoting the importance of clean water and water conservation. This volunteer, non-profit organization is clearly a force for good in communities in and beyond the United States. For more information, visit www.gardenclub.org. About the Principal Financial Group
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