AHS History

American Horticultural Society logo

Founded in 1922, the non-profit American Horticultural Society (AHS) is one of the most longstanding, respected national gardening organizations in North America.

AHS proudly celebrated its Centennial year in 2022!

Scroll down to learn more about the some of the key people, projects, and events that have contributed to the AHS legacy.

View a more comprehensive timeline of American Horticultural Society history here.

American Horticultural Society History

American Horticultural Society founded
American Horticultural Society founded

American Horticultural Society (AHS) and National Horticultural Society (NHS) founded in Washington, D.C., and Henning, Minnesota, respectively. The first edition of The National Horticultural Magazine was published in August. These two organizations would merge four years later into the American Horticultural Society.

American Horticultural Congress
American Horticultural Congress

The first American Horticultural Congress—a precursor to AHS’s annual conference—was held in Cleveland, Ohio. This meeting also launched “United Horticulture” which came to fruition under the auspices of the American Horticultural Council (AHC), a group affiliated with the AHS. The keynote address was delivered by renowned Cornell University horticulturist Liberty…Read More

Honoring Excellence

Creation of the AHS’s National Award Program, which is now called the Great American Gardeners Awards. Four awards were given in this inaugural year: Horticultural Writing, Professional Award, Teaching Award, and Scientific Award. In 1958, the first Liberty Hyde Bailey Medal is awarded to John Wister by the AHC. This…Read More

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map developed

The AHS and the AHC cooperate in developing the first published version of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

AHS purchases River Farm
AHS purchases River Farm

AHS purchases River Farm as its headquarters through the generosity of philanthropist Enid A. Haupt. The official opening ceremonies are held on May 1, 1974, with First Lady Patricia Nixon and Haupt in attendance.

First Children’s Gardening Symposium
First Children’s Gardening Symposium

AHS hosts the first Children’s Gardening Symposium (later renamed the National Children & Youth Garden Symposium), held in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The symposium was organized by AHS Education Coordinator Maureen Heffernan, and sponsored by the W. Atlee Burpee Company. A series of designed children’s gardens is created at River Farm.

The American Gardener
The American Gardener

The American Gardner is the official publication of the American Horticultural Society and is published six times per year. Members receive the magazine both in print and digitally as one of the many benefits of their membership.

Heat Zone Map developed
Heat Zone Map developed

Introduction of the AHS Plant Heat Zone Map, developed by AHS President Dr. H. Marc Cathey.

White House gates installed
White House gates installed

Discovery of a set of former White House gates at River Farm by Board member and architectural historian William Seale. Donations secured to have the gates professionally restored. In 2005: the White House gates are used in the entrance display to the Philadelphia Flower Show.

How We Got Started 

AS THE American Horticultural Society enters its 100th year, it’s instructive to place the organization’s founding in some historical context. In 1922, insulin was first successfully used to treat diabetes; Benito Mussolini became prime minister of Italy; the Egyptian tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun was opened by British archaeologists; James Joyce’s masterpiece Ulysses was published; and U.S. President Warren G. Harding made the first ever presidential speech broadcast on radio.

It was in this period between the two great wars and prior to the Great Depression that two separate groups of idealistic gardeners— both professionals and amateurs—came together to form an organization dedicated to improving horticulture in America both as a science and an art form. The originating organizations were the American Horticultural Society (AHS) and the National Horticultural Society (NHS), which were founded the same year in Washington, D.C., and Henning, Minnesota, respectively. Continue reading for more of the AHS story.