Plainfield in Union County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Plainfield Garden Club
Women’s Heritage Trail
— Shakespeare Garden —
Photographed By Don Morfe, May 3, 2016
1. Plainfield Garden Club Marker
Inscription.
Plainfield Garden Club. Women’s Heritage Trail. The Shakespeare Garden is located in Cedar Brook Park, one of Union County’s systems of public parks and recreation spaces. Now more than 75 years old, it is still cared for by the Plainfield Garden Club, historically a volunteer women’s organization. It is one of the many successful projects by the garden club, which was founded in 1915. Its members were interested in beautifying the natural and horticultural landscape through the planting of groves, gardens and shade trees, and advocating for the elimination of blight, the removal of billboards, and the conservation of natural habitats. At the time of its inception in 1927, the idea of a Shakespeare Garden was relatively new, although today there are many well-known examples, including those at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, the Huntington Library in Pasadena, Central Park in New York City and Vassar College. The idea was to recreate the historical feel of the English garden during Shakespeare’s time, using the actual flowers and plants mentioned in the Bard’s works.
“The small garden of Shakespeare’s day, which we so loving call by his name, was a little pleasure garden-a garden to stroll in and to sit in…intended to supply flowers for ‘nosegays’ and herbs for ‘strewings.’” Shakespeare Garden by Esther Singleton, Journal of the International Garden Club, Vol. III, December 1919, No. 4
(Inscriptions in the boxes on the left) (Top box) , The Plainfield Garden Club, a women’s organization, is on the New Jersey Women’s Heritage Trail because of the significant contributions of women’s volunteer organizations in New Jersey. They fostered a strength of purpose that has been an inspiration and motivation for conservation activism in America and around the world.
(Bottom box)< r> The New Jersey Women’s Heritage Trail highlights a collection of historic sites located around the state that represent the significant contributions women made to the history of our state. The Heritage Trail brings to life the vital role of women in New Jersey’s past and present.
The Shakespeare Garden is located in Cedar Brook Park, one of Union County’s systems of public parks and recreation spaces. Now more than 75 years old, it is still cared for by the Plainfield Garden Club, historically a volunteer women’s organization. It is one of the many successful projects by the garden club, which was founded in 1915. Its members were interested in beautifying the natural and horticultural landscape through the planting of groves, gardens and shade trees, and advocating for the elimination of blight, the removal of billboards, and the conservation of natural habitats. At the time of its inception in 1927, the idea of a Shakespeare Garden was relatively new, although today there are many well-known examples, including those at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, the Huntington Library in Pasadena, Central Park in New York City and Vassar College. The idea was to recreate the historical feel of the English garden during Shakespeare’s time, using the actual flowers and plants mentioned in the Bard’s works.
“The small garden of Shakespeare’s day, which we so loving call by his name, was a little pleasure garden-a garden to stroll in and to sit in…intended to supply flowers for ‘nosegays’ and herbs for ‘strewings.’” Shakespeare Garden by Esther Singleton, Journal of the International Garden Club, Vol. III,
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December 1919, No. 4
(Inscriptions in the boxes on the left) (Top box) The Plainfield Garden Club, a women’s organization, is on the New Jersey Women’s Heritage Trail because of the significant contributions of women’s volunteer organizations in New Jersey. They fostered a strength of purpose that has been an inspiration and motivation for conservation activism in America and around the world.
(Bottom box)< r> The New Jersey Women’s Heritage Trail highlights a collection of historic sites located around the state that represent the significant contributions women made to the history of our state. The Heritage Trail brings to life the vital role of women in New Jersey’s past and present.
Location. 40° 36.337′ N, 74° 24.701′ W. Marker is in Plainfield, New Jersey, in Union County. Marker is on F.S. Mathewson Dr. close to Randolph Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Plainfield NJ 07060, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Drake House (approx. 1.2 miles away); Drake House Flag Pole (approx. 1.2 miles away); Quaker Meeting House
5. Sign at the entrance to Cedar Brook Park-Shakespeare Garden
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 408 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 7, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
