Hudson River Conservation Society

In 1938, the leaders of the Garden Club of Orange and Dutchess Counties promoted the preservation of one of the great treasures along the eastern seaboard, the Highlands of the Hudson River. With strong vision and energy alongside the support of garden clubs up and down the river, the Garden Club of Orange and Dutchess Counties appealed to the Founders Fund for a grant to the Hudson River Conservation Society to aid in the purchase of the Mount Taurus Quarry in Cold Spring, NY.

Unfortunately after the grant was awarded, the intent had to be changed and as the price for the quarry rose to $2 million dollars making its purchase by the society impossible. The Garden Club of America Headquarters approved the suggestion by The Hudson River Conservation Society that the award go to the development of plans to beautify the Hudson River waterfronts in order to preserve the Highlands from disfigurement and destruction. The landscape architect plans were later displayed at the Garden Club of America Headquarters.

The quarry and the surrounding land eventually became parkland and the beauty of the Hudson Highlands was preserved for future generations. The foresight and efforts of the members of the Garden Club of Orange and Dutchess Counties contributed to creating a culture of advocates for the Highlands which is vibrantly alive today