Bayfield Peninsula Horticultural Society
Bayfield Horticultural Society – The Horticultural Society often held their meetings in the old town hall, as viewed above, located on the NW corner of Second Street and Washington Avenue – Bayfield Progress – November 02, 1911
Bayfield Peninsula Horticultural Society Forms
Bayfield County Press – December 31, 1908
A Local Horticultural Society: a New Organization Formed with a Membership of 630 read the subtitles to this edition of the Press.
Last evening in the commercial club room a large body of the representative businessman of the Harbor City, met for the purpose of forming a horticultural society, which in a way, will be a sub organization of the State Horticultural Society. A. H. Wilkinson was duly chosen chairman of the meeting and called the body to order. Nathaniel E. Carver was appointed temporary secretary. Mr. Wilkinson appointed a committee to draw up a constitution and bylaws and the meeting adjourned to await the committee report, which was forthcoming, and after a number of recommendations and amendments had been made to better reflect the Constitution and by-laws they were unanimously adopted. The name chosen for the new organization was the Bayfield Peninsula Horticultural Society, it being deemed by the members of the Association that this would be the most appropriate name in view of the fact that nearly all the advertising literature now being sent out of the city bears the name “Bayfield Peninsula”.
After the Constitution and bylaws had been adopted election of the officers took place and William Knight was elected president, Carl Vollenweider vice-president, Orlando Flanders secretary, and Alonzo H. Wilkinson treasurer. These officers, together with A. J. Mussell, Harvey Nourse and John Henry Sykes, who were duly elected, constituted the board of directors.
The Constitution provides that an annual meeting will be held the second Tuesday in December of each year. It also provides that a special meeting of the Society may be held when called by authorized officers. The new society starts out with a total paid-up membership of 63, which is extremely good for an infant society.
Professor Delwiche, of the Iron River experimental station was in attendance and was made an honorary member. Mr. Delwiche delivered a short and interesting talk about horticulture and the possibilities of his society. It was further provided in the Constitution last evening that any person may become a member of the society upon signing the roll of membership and paying annual dues of $.50. A fee of five dollars will constitute a life membership. Wives of members also have the privileges and are members.
The purpose of the businessman in organizing the society is to forward horticultural and agricultural projects on the Bayfield Peninsula, and in forming the society they will have the aid and cooperation of the state society in their work. The organization is a step in the right direction and judging from the enthusiasm last evening it is safe to predict it the right future for the society.
[Duly organized, the local farmers and apple growers, informed State Historical Society Secretary Frederick Cranefield of their intentions to blossom.]
Cranefield replies thusly, Dear Sir “your kind favor of December 31 is at hand. This proved to be a very welcome New Year’s gift as I take these matters almost in a personal way. The increase of membership which the Bayfield society affords the state society is the largest we have ever had at one time and will be given full credit in my annual report which I now preparing. This is indeed gratifying, not alone on account of the increase membership which we received what showing that there is one community in the state at least which is united and enthusiastic in horticultural work. It was all a great surprise as I had entirely forgotten that blanks for constitutions etc., had been sent you.
We are of course pleased to know that Mr. Knight, a gentleman whom we hold in the highest esteem will be with us at the convention. We hope also to meet others from your society. I enclose receipt for $16.75 and in a short time will mail to each of the members the annual report and such other literature as we now have available.
With hearty congratulations to the Bayfield society, I remain, very truly yours, Frederick Cranefield
This history brief was written by Robert J. Nelson. Generously sharing our local history through his research and writing.