Programs

The Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden

Sunday, March 2, 2025
2:00 - 4:00 pm

Palo Alto Art Center
1313 Newell Road
Palo Alto

In May, the Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden will turn 40! This horticultural center, historic house, and extensive garden was once the home of the Gamble family, who purchased the lot in 1902, built the house in 1904, and were officially in residence by 1909. In 1939, their daughter, Elizabeth, inherited the property, and she lived there until her death in 1981. In her will, she deeded the property to the City of Palo Alto. The story of the founding of Gamble Garden is one involving a broad-based community group led by the Garden Club of Palo Alto. They studied other horticultural centers, determined that they needed the entire property, knew the property must be accessible to the entire community, agreed the organization must be self-funding, and enlisted the community at large to support their vision.

The Gamble Founders developed a convincing proposal to lease the estate from the city, and when it came before the city council for a vote, their community supporters filled the council chambers, bearing flowers to remind everyone that this was a garden. In May 1985, the Palo Alto City Council voted to lease the estate to the Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden Center, a non-profit organization whose stated goal was "to restore and maintain the garden and buildings for use as a horticultural center for people of all ages and to provide the opportunity to learn the skills of horticulture through education, observation and participation within the tranquil setting of an urban garden."

Today Gamble Garden is a busy non-profit center with a garden that is visited annually by thousands of people, but that didn't happen easily or quickly. Join us to learn what it took to turn a private home and garden into a thriving center for all to use and enjoy.

The program will be moderated by Mica Pirie, Executive Director of Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden. Joining her will be Karen Olson, Garden Club of Palo Alto Vice President, 1980s; Herb Fong, retired Grounds Services Manager at Stanford University; and Scott Loosley, first Garden Director, Elizabeth F. Gamble Gardens.

Gamble Garden, 1945Elizabeth Gamble in her late 20s

Reserve the following dates for upcoming PAHA programs:

• May 4, 2025
• June 4, 2025

Be sure to check the website for updates.