Chippewa Garden Club

Since its inception in 1949, the Chippewa Garden Club has committed to fulfilling its mission of beautifying the community.

In 2018, Broadview Heights Historical Society member Don Faulhaber called on the club to design and consult on proper horticulture to border a historical plaque marker commemorating Brecksville Township’s first settler site. Since then, Kathy Ziemba, Chippewa Garden Club community project chairperson, has collaborated with the historical society to complete and maintain the site. 

The marker plaque is located on the northeast corner of Broadview and Boston roads. 

In 1811, Seth Paine was sent to survey a new township of the Western Reserve by Col. John Breck. The Paine family settled on 200 acres of land given as compensation for Paine’s services. This 200 acres of land is now part of the cities of Brecksville, Broadview Heights and North Royalton. 

The Chippewa Garden Club provides plants, mulch, fertilizer and caretaking of the planting area under the historical marker, with the most recent maintenance being completed in August.  

Despite the COVID-19 lockdown at nursing facility The Oaks of Brecksville, the club’s garden therapy team has found a way to offer residents horticultural activities. 

The Oaks’ in-house activity department is limited to one-on-one interaction with residents by in-house staff only. After discussion with Activities Department Director Marie Day, also a Chippewa Garden Club member, an adapted plan was formulated.

Day requested that club members dry and press garden materials to be used in projects planned by in-house staff. Club members clipped flowers, ferns, seedpods and leaves. Dried rose nosegays were donated. Horticulture, including lavender, pansy, anemones, black-eyed Susans, daisies and geraniums, were labeled.

Drying and pressing techniques included the use of a microwave, air-drying and book-pressing. Results produced a large variety of material for upcoming projects.

The garden therapy team plans to continue assisting Oaks staff in promoting similar projects throughout lockdown restrictions and resume group programs with residents as soon as public health officials deem it safe.  New members are always welcome. Visit chippewagardenclub.com.

Feature image photo caption: Chippewa Garden Club designed the horticulture bordering a historical plaque marker to commemorate Brecksville Township’s first settler site.

Chippewa Garden Club members dry flowers for residents of The Oaks of Brecksville.