Marin Art and Garden Center
The Marin Art & Garden Center is a vibrant, enriching community resource that supports and encourages the arts, horticulture, history, and environmental conservation. It provides the community with a unique gathering place to participate in cultural activities and educational opportunities.
Description:
Marin Art and Garden Center resides on eleven spectacular acres that were saved from development in 1943. Since its inception, countless volunteers have worked to provide the community with a unique gathering place to participate in cultural and educational opportunities. In addition to the spectacular gardens which include ancient trees, rolling lawns, a butterfly habitat, medicinal herb garden and native plant garden, the Center provides a venue for many educational programs for all ages including classes for the home gardener, children's camps, theater and dance classes.
History:
The land on which the Marin Art and Garden Center stand was part of a Mexican land grant called “Rancho Punto de Quentin.” James Ross, for whom the town of Ross was named, owned it. He settled here in 1859 on the west side of San Anselmo creek, which was known as Ross Landing. In 1861 James Ross’ daughter married George Worn. They built their home on a portion of the property which is now the Marin Art and Garden Center. George Worn planted a small magnolia tree in the center of the property. The imposing grandeur of this tree had attracted the attention of professional and amateur photographers for nearly a century until sadly, in 2006; it was removed due to declining health.
The house, which was known as Sunnyside, was sold to Jonathan Kittle who remodeled it. In 1931, the roof was completely destroyed by fire. Shortly thereafter, the house was torn down, leaving only the barn, now home of the Ross Valley Players, and the Octagon House, as the only remaining structures of the early days. The area had only occasional use after that in 1943 the Kittle family decided to sell the property.
Today, the Marin Art and Garden Center’s volunteers who lend their efforts to this growing community project are keeping alive the spark set off by Mrs. Livermore in 1943. In its founding charter, the Center, which is now dedicated to the development of the cultural and natural assets of Marin County, was established as “A Living Memorial” which would perpetuate, through its membership, the memory of the dead, their lives and deeds.
At this point the history of the Marin Art and Garden Center really begins. Mrs. Norman B. “Caroline” Livermore was then President of the Conservation League. She had a deep feeling of community responsibility and a clear vision of the future. She pursued the ways and means to acquire and preserve the property. She thought of this land with its beautiful gardens and irreplaceable trees as a living memorial. Within two years, in 1945, she brought together eight autonomous groups forming the non-profit corporation. They agreed to purchase the property for $25,000 payable within five years.
Contact person: Jennifer Taibbi, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email)
Main office number:
(415) 455-5260Office fax number: (415) 454-0650
Address:
 |
P.O. Box 437
Ross, CA 94957 |
Web Site: http://magc.org
| Last updated on June 10, 2009 |
