History of Gateway Garden Club
The Gateway Garden Clubof Martinsburg had a pre-organizational meeting on April 9, 1953, at the home of Ms. Anna Atkinson, with twenty members present. Mrs. Felix Schneiderhan, the Regional Director, spoke on the organization of a garden club and the requirements necessary to become a federated club. The club decided upon the name “Gateway” at this time. At the second meeting, in May of 1953, the following members became Charter Members of Gateway Garden Club:
Jean Brand
Fredica Byrer
Ruth Dean
Lucille Dennis
Mary Dunn
Hannah Fortney
Frances Grove
Ursula Gutekunst
Winifred Hammond
Helen Harner
Margaret Laise
Juliet Lowe
Barbara Lowman
Catherine Martin
Lucile Matson
Margaret Poland
Mary Poland
Virginia Porterfield
Corinne Pugh
Mary Seibert
Virginia Warder
Also, at this meeting in May of 1953, the following officers were elected:
President ……………….. Sarah Steptoe
Vice-President ………… Mary Seibert
Secretary ……………….. Helen Harner
Treasurer ………………. Winifred Hammond
In June of that year, a Constitution and By-Laws were adopted, which limited the active membership to twenty-five. Later that year, in November 1953, the club voted to become federated. Subsequently, certificates of membership were awarded to the club in June 1954 by the West Virginia Garden Club, Inc., and the National Council of State Garden Clubs, Inc.
During the years, Gateway has carried out a number of civic projects, which have included planting and maintaining the planters at the entrances to War Memorial Park, planting trees on the grounds of public buildings, and landscaping the miniature golf course at War Memorial Park, the latter receiving a grant from Shenandoah-Potomac Council.
Other award-winning projects have included the beautification of Burke Street Elementary School, which was funded in part by Burke Street Alumni. In addition, Gateway has annually awarded a scholarship to Camp Caesar for a local youth.
In conjunction with Berkeley County Council, Gateway, in the past, has participated in beautifying the planters in historic downtown Martinsburg, beautifying specified areas in War Memorial Park, planting bulbs at West Virginia rest stops on I-81, and decorating the Martinsburg Public Library during the Christmas season. The club has participated in the annual House and Garden Tour since its inception in 1955.
Gateway members have participated in inter-club flower shows and have staged both club shows and inter-club shows. The club’s entries have been ribbon winners in numerous flower shows locally and regionally.
Gateway has the honored distinction of having a member who is an accredited flower show judge: June McClung was recognized for this accomplishment at the annual luncheon in 1991.
In the spring of 1993, Gateway Garden Club celebrated its 40th anniversary at the Martinsburg Room, located in the Martinsburg Public Library. Club Historian Sarah Steptoe gave a brief history of the club, followed by a social hour. Gateway members rededicated their commitment and renewed their enthusiasm for the upcoming year.
Since its founding in 1953, Gateway has welcomed and enjoyed nearly 100 alumni. While members come and go, the spirit of the club remains as it started...