The New London Garden Club (NLGC) was founded in 1923 by twelve New London women who were interested in “stimulating the knowledge and love of gardening and horticulture; to aid in the protection of native trees, plants, and birds, and to promote and encourage the beautification of the community.” To meet this objective, the club oversaw several projects including the restoration and the maintenance of several gardens in New London: the gardens at the Shaw Mansion, Hempstead House, and the Old Town Mill as well as civic plantings throughout the city. In 1927, they were a charter member of the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut. They helped in the establishment of the Connecticut College Arboretum in 1931 and the Pequot-Sepos Bird Sanctuary in Mystic. After the hurricane of 1938, a tree planting committee was formed and trees were planted along Williams Park and Mohegan Avenue. During the World War II, the NLGC raised funds through garden tours and other programs for various relief organizations. In 1962, they became members of the Garden Club of America. As part of this national group, the NLGC became part of the Zone II delegation, a subset of affiliated Connecticut and Rhode Island Garden Clubs. They contributed to committee work and programs of the Zone II group. Since the 1970s, the group has continued to organize and contribute to public programs and events in New London. They held fund raising events including flower shows, plant sales, luncheons, garden tours that helped fund their civic work. The Club also created programs and locations that focused on conservation and ecology. They also contributed monthly flower arrangements to the Lyman Allyn Art Museum, created and maintained creation of memorial gardens and plantings throughout the city.