1980-1990’s

The Renovation of Rodney Square

In 1989, Rodney Square, a historic park in the heart of Wilmington, had suffered from the changing demands on a central park in an urban setting.  These were difficult economic times for the city; funds to maintain parks were limited. After a club meeting at Emily du Pont’s, the Community Projects Committee met to discuss what our Club might do with money we had raised from one of our successful house and garden tours.  The possibility of contributing large containers of plants to beautify the square was discussed. That initial idea evolved into an eight-year, $2,000,000 undertaking.

At the recommendation of Bill Frederick, Rodney Robinson, of the landscape architectural firm, Coe, Lee, Robinson and Roesch, was hired to create a plan.  It included raising the grass panel to protect it from vehicle and foot traffic, replanting the beds with trees, shrubs and flowers, resurfacing the entire Square with decorative pavers, installing attractive bus shelters, improving soil and drainage around the exterior trees, and removing unsightly barriers.  During the years of the renovation, Wilmington underwent a renaissance with the arrival of MBNA as a major force in the city. Additional funds were raised from individuals, foundations, the city and state, and the business community.

It became evident that just completing the renovation would not be enough.  Recognizing that the Department of Parks and Recreation could not be expected to maintain the plantings, a plan was worked out whereby the city agreed to take care of the central grass panel and trash removal and the GCW hired the services of the DCH to maintain the perimeter beds and street plantings that border the square.  GCW members raised an endowment to support the maintenance done by the DCH and continue to monitor the condition of the plants and the overall condition of the square.

By 2015, the economic downturn in Wilmington had adversely affected the Square and a group called the Rodney Square Conservancy, made up of city officials and prominent business leaders, was formed in 2017 to plan for the future.  Ann Wick, who chaired the club’s efforts in the ‘90s and spearheaded fundraising for the endowment continues her involvement as the club’s representative on the new Conservancy. 

The Ronald McDonald House

All the Delaware garden clubs donate and arrange flowers for the dining room at the Ronald McDonald House during the summer months.  This tradition was started in 1991 by our member, the late Bert Melloy. During the holidays, the Club donates colorful cyclamen plants that are placed on the dining room tables to provide a cheery atmosphere during the holidays for the families residing at the house.  Our members have volunteered here for over 25 years.

Holiday Bedside Decorations

Starting in 1995, each member creates a bedside arrangement to bring to the December membership meeting.  These arrangements are delivered to a local nursing home for patients to enjoy during the holidays.

Goodstay Gardens

The Goodstay Gardens are a part of the University of Delaware’s Goodstay Center, halfway between Wilmington and Greenville.  The property was once owned by Ellen du Pont Wheelwright, the daughter of GCW’s first president, Mrs. T. Coleman du Pont. The Friends of Goodstay approached the GCW in 1996 to refurbish the reflecting pool and surrounding plantings at the end of the magnolia walk.  The club donated $30,000 to the project.

The Read House Garden

The Read House was built for George Read II, son of a Delaware signer of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.  It stands in a garden originally laid out in 1848. The boxwood plantings were suffering from blight when the Delaware Historical Society approached the Club for help.  GCW members researched resistant boxwood cultivars and in 1997 the club voted to donate $10,000 to replant 4,000 boxwood plants to line the flower beds, as in the original design.