Mid to late January snowfalls provided an insulating blanket for the dormant plants at the Camden Village Green. Photo credit: Camden Garden Club care of Laura Anthony.
Written by Camden Garden Club Village Green Committee Chair Laura Anthony
The Camden Village Green is a town owned property listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1991. Completed in 1930, the Village Green was a gift of Mrs. Mary Louise Bok and three other benefactors, Cyrus H.K. Curtis, John Gribbel and Chauncy Keep. In a letter to F.L. Olmstead in May, 1927, Mrs. Bok requested a plan for “a restful little park in the heart of town.” The purpose of the plan was to create a green area of quiet beauty, mostly turf with screen planting borders, trees, paths, and seats all open to the adjacent streets. Also including a low fence, having granite posts, along the street sides to discourage cross cutting by pedestrians.
The Honor Roll Wall was added to the Village Green after World War II and a War Memorial Flagpole was installed and dedicated in July, 1950. The Camden Garden Club assumed partial responsibility for the upkeep of the Village Green sometime in the 1960’s.
In 1990-91, the Club and members of the community spearheaded a campaign to renovate the Village Green. The Club voted to donate $10,000 to the beautification of the Green as a bicentennial gift to the Town. That fall, the Club successfully saved the granite walk from being covered by blacktop as the Town of Camden had planned to do. In addition, to celebrate the centennial of the Camden Garden Club in 2015, the Club donated $15,000 to spruce up the Village Green.
The Town of Camden has responsibility for maintaining all walks, monuments, stairs, lawns and trees on the Green. During winter, the Town does not clear the Green’s paths of snow and ice, although they do clear the sidewalks around the Green.
The Camden Garden Club has been providing volunteers to maintain this historical site on a regular basis since 1991. The Club maintains the historic character of the site in keeping with the original historic 1927 Olmstead design. The Village Green Committee currently meets on the third Monday each month from May through October and perform such tasks as weeding, deadheading, pruning, cleaning, spreading leaf compost on the garden beds and replacing any dying plants or shrubs.
Tour buses unload visitors in front of the Village Green spring through fall and it is a welcoming site for visitors and residents throughout the year. The Village Green is the site for holiday celebrations and provides a restful shady spot in the heat of summer.
The Club welcomes new members and plans to expanded opportunities with the planning and installation of a native garden this year at the Post Office located across the street from the Village Green, and looks forward to members’ input and volunteerism during the upcoming growing season.