The Tulsa Garden Center
The Tulsa Garden Center is one of
Tulsa's hidden assets.
The land on which The Garden Center sits in mid-town Tulsa was originally an eighty-acre
Creek Indian land allotment belonging to Helen Woodward Slemp, for whom Woodward Park
is named. The 5,300 square foot mansion was built
by David R. Travis in 1919 and was known as the Travis Mansion.
Situated between Woodward Park and its rose gardens, and the Tulsa County Historical
Society (in what was once Travis's brother, Samuel
Travis's home), The Tulsa Garden Center is home to
28 affiliate gardening organizations. It also has
become a favorite spot for weddings, receptions and
other types of occasions.
It was purchased by the City of Tulsa in 1954. The Tulsa Garden Center building and grounds
are owned by the City of Tulsa, and the Garden
Center itself is operated by The Tulsa Garden Center, Inc.,
a non-profit organization whose policies are set
and operations guided by a volunteer board of
directors and executive committee. Salaries of a paid staff
are financed by operations of the Garden Center.
The purpose of Tulsa Garden Center, Inc., is to encourage interest in horticultural excellence
for the information, education and entertainment
of the community.
Affiliate organizations range from the Iris Society, Rose Society and The Tulsa Garden
Club (which is often confused with the Garden
Center itself) to the Water Garden Society, Herb
Society, Orchid Society...and on and on.
Affiliates and other organizations hold meetings, shows and sales at the Center, and it is
a rare evening when the center is not brightly
lighted and full of people. Affiliates pay a membership
fee and a very small meeting charge.
The Garden Center's income comes from horticulturally related fundraisers, usually in
the spring and fall; contributions from
individuals, foundations, garden clubs, etc.; and from rental
of the facility for events such as weddings,
receptions, workshops and business meetings.
Two major annual fund-raisers provide the bulk of the Center's budget. A Spring Garden
Mart, which this year teamed with the Park
Department's "Art in the Park" in the adjoining Woodward
Park in a tremendously successful effort. Garden
Mart features plants for sale (provided by members
and commercial growers), lectures, music, food and horticulture advice.
In the fall, a popular event called An Evening of Wine and Roses is held in the beautiful
rose garden adjacent to the Garden Center. This
elegant gathering features wine tasting (with advice
by vintners), music, and food provided by some of Tulsa's finest caterers.
Friends of Woodward Park, a committee of the Garden Center, focuses on improvements
and enhancements in the park such as trees and benches, conducting fundraising efforts
to accomplish its goals.
An ongoing effort is made to serve the public with programs designed for all ages...from
Little Green Thumbs programs (which tripled in attendance this year!) to lectures, workshops
and shows designed for adults.
A former garage on the property has been remodeled and a retail gardening shop
now occupies it, paying rent to the Garden Center.
The Barn, a former maintenance facility located on the grounds, was renovated this year
and is now available for all types of events. It also
serves as headquarters for Tulsa Garden Center volunteers.
A huge library (5,000+ volumes) of gardening related books and magazines is maintained for
the use of affiliates and members. Seeds are also available year-round through the library at
a nominal cost. A monthly newsletter provides information on affiliates, gardening tips,
schedules of events, gardening news, and other
information. The Center also sponsors frequent out-of-town
trips to famous gardens and horticultural events.
Volunteers are the backbone of the efforts to provide interesting events and programs,
and during an average year, approximately 300 volunteers spend countless hours helping
make events at The Tulsa Garden Center successful.
The Tulsa Garden Center, 2435 South Peoria,
Tulsa, OK 74114. Phone 918/746-5125.