Title: Wisconsin State Horticultural Society Records
Inclusive Dates: 1864-1996

Creator:

• Wisconsin State Horticultural Society

Call Number: Mss 720; M2017-092

Quantity: 0.8 cubic feet (3 archives boxes); plus additions of 2.2 cubic feet (1 records center carton, 1 archives box, and 2 flat boxes)

Repository:

Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

Abstract:

Records of the Wisconsin State Horticultural Society, an organization formed in 1865 to foster horticulture in Wisconsin. Included are constitutions and by-laws, histories, proceedings, minutes, and financial records. Also includes files of Benjamin S. Hoxie, an officer of the society, consisting of correspondence, biographical sketches of prominent early Wisconsin horticulturists, and notes for an unpublished history of horticulture in Wisconsin; as well as records of the Wisconsin Apple and Horticulture Council and the Wisconsin Apple Institute.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-mss00720

 ↑ Bookmark this ↑

 ↑ Bookmark this ↑

This collection was received in multiple parts from the donor(s) and is organized into 2 major parts. These materials have not been physically interfiled and researchers might need to consult more than one part to locate similar materials.

• Part 1 (Mss 720): Original Collection, 1864-1964
• Part 2 (M2017-092): Additions, 1868-1996

The Wisconsin State Horticultural Society began as the Wisconsin Fruit Growers Association in 1853 in Whitewater. In 1865 a similar group met during the State Fair at Janesville and organized the Wisconsin State Horticultural Society in order to promote the growing of fruit and vegetables in Wisconsin. For several years the annual meetings of the organization were held in conjunction with the Agricultural Society, and WSHS promoted horticultural exhibits at the state fair. In 1871 the society was chartered by the state and state funds were appropriated for the publication of its reports. In subsequent years state funding assisted the society and its goals, although funds were often insufficient to meet the organization's needs.

During its early years WSHS concentrated on the testing and selection of varieties suitable to the Wisconsin climate. In 1898 the society established a trial orchard at Wausau for the purpose of determining varieties most suitable for central Wisconsin. During the next twelve years additional trial orchards were established. Because of its early scientific emphasis the society developed a close relationship with the Department of Horticulture at the University of Wisconsin. The society also cooperated with affiliated organizations such as the Wisconsin Beekeepers Association, the Wisconsin Gladiolus Society, the Wisconsin Nurserymen's Association, the Wisconsin Berry Growers Association, the Wisconsin Apple Institute, various local horticultural groups, and approximately 100 garden clubs. Activities included cooperation with county agents, agricultural tours, and educational talks and meetings.

From 1896 until 1901 the society published a monthly journal, the Wisconsin Horticulturist. From 1906 to 1910 it published an occasional bulletin. In 1910 the society resumed publishing its monthly journal, this time named Wisconsin Horticulture. Because of limited funding, publication was suspended in 1957.

The WSHS eventually became the Wisconsin Apple Growers Association.

In view of its history as the oldest and one of the most important agricultural organizations in Wisconsin, the records of the Horticultural Society held by the Historical Society are limited and incomplete, and researchers must turn to its published reports and transactions and its journals and newsletters held by the Historical Society Library for more complete documentation.

Removed from the files were several minutebooks which were apparently once part of the Horticultural Society Library. These minutes, which pertained to the Milwaukee Horticultural Society, the Racine County Horticultural Society, and the Manitowoc County Horticultural Society, have been catalogued separately.

Acquisition Information

Presented by Benjamin S. Hoxie, Evansville, Wisconsin, 1932; Frederick Cranefield, Madison, Wisconsin, 1933; and by the Wisconsin State Horticultural Society, via Malcolm S. Dana, August 24, 1984. Accession Number: M84-304, M2017-092

Processing Information

Processed by Carolyn J. Mattern, 1987; additions processed by Ann Fuhrman, 2017.

Mss 720	Part 1 (Mss 720): Original Collection, 1864-1964 Physical Description: 0.8 cubic feet (3 archives boxes)  Scope and Content Note: The records include proceedings, 1864-1876, a minute book, 1893-1904, and loose minutes, mainly 1956-1964; annual financial statements, 1924-1962, and a financial ledger, 1913-1925; miscellaneous papers; and files compiled by Benjamin S. Hoxie, a former officer of the society, for an unpublished history of horticulture in Wisconsin. Hoxie's files include correspondence (primarily 1900) with agricultural leaders around the state concerning his historical project, biographical sketches concerning early horticultural leaders, and notes. The miscellaneous files include small files of reports and correspondence, information on the society's distinguished service awards, a constitution of the Wisconsin Apple Growers' Association, and historical clippings.
Box   1 Folder   1	Constitutions, by-laws, histories, and background information, 1919, 1957, undated
	Minutes
Box   2 Folder   1	Proceedings, 1864-1876
Box   1 Folder   2	Minute book II, 1893-1904
Box   1 Folder   3	Loose minutes, 1950, 1956-1964
	Financial records
Box   1 Folder   4	Ledger, 1913-1925
Box   2 Folder   2	Annual financial statements, 1924-1962
Box   2 Folder   3	Endowment fund reports, 1944-1950
	Correspondence
Box   3 Folder   1	1871, 1889-1899
Box   3 Folder   2	1900, 1905, 1910
Box   3 Folder   3-4	Hoxie biographical sketches and notes, undated
	Miscellaneous
Box   3 Folder   5	Correspondence and reports, 1948-1963, undated
Box   3 Folder   6	Distinguished service awards, undated
Box   3 Folder   7	Wisconsin Apple Growers Association, 1964
Box   3 Folder   8	Clippings, samples of scientific research materials, etc.
M2017-092	Part 2 (M2017-092): Additions, 1868-1996 Physical Description: 2.2 cubic feet (1 records center carton, 1 archives box, and 2 flat boxes)  Scope and Content Note: Additions, 1868-1996, documenting the Wisconsin Apple and Horticulture Council, Wisconsin Apple Institute, and the Wisconsin State Horticulture Society including articles of incorporation, agreements, by-laws, correspondence, financial reports and statements, annual reports, fruit testing records, minutes, membership lists, newsletters, organizational materials, pamphlets, promotion reports, grant, information kit, apple and wholesale buyers, photographs, and ledgers.	⇧
Box   1 Folder   1	Apple pamphlets
Box   1 Folder   2	Articles of incorporation, 1960-1975
Box   1 Folder   3	Annual reports, Wisconsin Apple and Horticulture Council Inc., 1974-1985
Box   1 Folder   4	Awards, 1875, 1920, undated
Box   1 Folder   5	Constitution and by-laws, 1945-1957
Box   1 Folder   6	Convention programs, 1966-1982
Box   1 Folder   7	Directors annual meetings, 1949-1965
Box   1 Folder   8	Dues, 1962-1964
Box   1 Folder   9	Directors' meeting past, 1962-1982
Box   1 Folder   10	Fiscal year receipt, 1953-1963
Box   1 Folder   11	Fruit Growers County membership, 1957, 1972
Box   1 Folder   12	Fruit testing records, 1931-1939
Box   1 Folder   13	Fruit Show premium winners, 1957-1961
Box   1 Folder   14	Histories, 1868-1968, 1943
Box   1 Folder   15-16	Membership list, Wisconsin Apple Institute and Horticultural Society, 1952-1959
Box   1 Folder   17-18	Minutes, 1936-1954, 1966-1967
Box   1 Folder   19	Minutes, Wisconsin Apple and Horticultural Council Inc., 1957-1987
Box   1 Folder   20-22	Newsletters, Wisconsin Horticulture, Wisconsin Apple Institute, 1960-1986
Box   1 Folder   23	Organizational materials, 1965-1966
Box   1 Folder   24	Promotion reports, 1982, 1986
Box   1 Folder   25	Pamphlets, 1962, 1968, 1969
Box   1 Folder   26	Statements, financial, 1967-1973, 1985-1986
Box   1 Folder   27	University of Wisconsin Grant, 1974
Box   1 Folder   28	Wisconsin Apple information kit, "Nature's Toothbrush," 1967, 1977
Box   1 Folder   29	Wisconsin Apple Institute, 1958-1962
Box   1 Folder   30	Wisconsin wholesale buyers guide, apple buyers, 1986
Box   2 Folder   1-2	Photographs, 1973-1976, 1987-1996
Box   3-4	Financial ledgers, 1905-1951, 1967-1987