Pennsylvania Horticultural Society - Philadelphia Flower Show

Louis Burk supplied Philadelphians with hot dogs and scrapple through his meatpacking business. He also built and operated the original Steel Pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Known for his orchids, he entered them in Philadelphia and New York shows. New Yorker writer E. B. White playfully sketched Burk's orchid obsession in a 1928 piece. Burk exhibited from the 1890s through the early 1930s; his 1931 exhibit is shown here.

Mrs. Pinchot, wife of Pennsylvania Governor Gifford Pinchot, is Mayor Mackey's guest at the 1931 Philadelphia Flower Show held at the Commercial Museum, 34th Street above Spruce Street. Even in the depths of the depression, the Philadelphia Flower Show is wildly popular, with attendance over 115,000. Photographer number 11908 in lower left corner.

Top row, l to r: E. A. Stroud (Flower Show Committee); David L. Rust (Flower Show Committee, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society); Ella H. Gilbert (office secretary, Philadelphia Flower Show, Inc.); John Kuhn (Flower Show Committee); John Prince (Flower Show Committee); Walter Turner (in charge of Hall Arrangements, worked at Habermehl's); J. Liddon Pennock; Benjamin B. Starkey (Philadelphia Flower Show, Inc. officer, secretary); W. Atlee Burpee, Jr. (Philadelphia Flower Show, Inc. officer, treasurer); Bottom row, l. to r.: W. K. Harris (Flower Show Committee, Philadelphia Flower Show, Inc.); Mark P. Mills (Flower Show Committee, Philadelphia Flower Show, Inc.); Mrs. Reed Morgan; John P. Habermehl (Flower Show Committee, Philadelphia Flower Show, Inc.); Mrs. Clifford Jones; William Kleinheinz (Flower Show Committee, gardener to Joseph E. Widener); Edwin J. Fancourt (Flower Show Committee , Philadelphia Flower Show, Inc. officer, vice-president). Handwritten label: top row l. to r.: Mr Stroud; Mr Rust (Penna. Hort. Soc.); Mrs Gilbert (secty with P. F. Show); Mr. Kuhn; Mr. Prince (Committee); Mr. Turner (Habermehl); Mr. Pennock Sr. ; Mr. Starkey (Incorporator); Mr. Burpee Jr. (Incorporator). Bottom Row, l. to. r.: Mr. Harris (Incorporator); Mr. Mills (Incorporator); Mrs. Reed Morgan; Mr. Habermehl; Mrs. Clifford Jones; Mr. Kleinhheinz ; Mr. Fancourt (Incorporator). 7.5 x 9.5 in. b&w photograph. Philadelphia Flower 1932 Show album.

Mussog's bird store, specializing in singing birds and birdcages as well as goldfish and tropical fish, is a trade exhibitor at the 1932 Philadelphia Flower Show. 7.5 x 9.5 in. b&w photograph. Philadelphia Flower 1932 Show album.

Ink blotter promoting the show, with words "Philadelphia Flower Show, Commercial Museum" and dates "March 27 to April 1, 1933." In lower right, copyright Ruth Murray Miller. In lower left, J. Frank Copeland. 3.5 x 6 inch colored paper. 1930-1936 Printed materials; 1933 file

From the Evening Bulletin, April 3, 1933: "Last week's Flower Show organized a competition for Wayside Markets, for the first time in 100 years taking official recognition of farmers as well as gardeners. This was not a depression move, but an attempt on the part of garden clubs to stimulate an interest in beautifying the highways. It was the idea of Mrs. Joseph P. Sims of Chestnut Hill, but ideas for six wayside markets were worked up by a committee for the garden clubs under the chairmanship of Mrs. John C. Gilpin. This "uplift movement" in wayside markets, which, it is hoped, will have a good influence on hot dog stands and peach basket emporiums, was the idea of Mrs. Joseph P. Sims." The 1933 Pennsylvania Horticultural Society exhibitor's schedule describes Class 501 as opening on Monday, limited to 6 entries, to construct Wayside Markets with a space allowance of 14 x 8 feet. This entry is by The Gardeners (garden club). Stamped on verso: Photo by Fred. Hess & Son, 166 S. Virginia Ave., Atlantic City, J. J. The photographer may be Myron Hess (d. 1950). Penciled on verso: Gardeners, 3rd prize, 1933 close up of photo. 7 x 8.5 inches b&w photograph. Philadelphia Flower Show 1933 album.

Two Flower Show officials hold flowers for Mrs. Roosevelt. From the Public Ledger, Friday, March 31, 1933: "A bouquet of choicest blooms on display at the Flower Show will go to the White House this morning by airplane for Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt with the compliments of John P. Habermehl, [pictured on right] President of the Flower Show Committee. (Adolf Muller is man on left.) Fifty roses and 50 carnations, mixed with sprays of golden acacia, in commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of Acacias Exhibitions in America, with a corsage of rare orchids, will leave Central Airport in Camden at 10:30. The giant floral sheaf requires a container 62 by 25 inches and 19 inches deep." Stamped on verso: photo by Fred. Hess & Son, 166 S. Virginia Ave., Atlantic City, N.J. 7.5 x 9.5 inch b&w photograph. Philadelphia Flower Show 1933 album.

A woman and child pose in the middle of exhibit. The child is dressed in traditional Dutch costume. From Florists Review, April 1, 1933: " Rotteveel & Sons (Sassenheim, Holland) [bulb exporters] had a pretty bulb garden. The stock was forced by Wm. Scheonfeld, who did the planting. A Dutch wind mill in miniature, run by electric power, pumped water from one pool to another. New tulips exhibited for the first time were Mme. La Febre, Avis Kennecott and Marjory Bowen. " Photographer number 7435 in lower left corner. Stamped on verso: Photo by Fred. Hess & Son, 166 S. Virginia Ave., Atlantic City, N. J. Penciled on back: 1933-1. The photographer may be Myron Hess (d. 1950). 7.5 x 9.5 in. b&w print. Philadelphia Flower Show 1933 album.

The 1934 exhibit of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society was an elegant formal garden featuring a pool and terrace. It was designed and executed by Philadelphia architect Charles Willing. Known for his skills in landscape design, Willing specialized in designing country estates for Philadelphia's elite. He also had his own line of garden ornaments.

At the center of Thomas W. Sear's central feature is a circular pool with Beatrice Fenton's nereid fountain. 6 x 9.5 inch b&w photograph. Philadelphia Flower Show 1935 album.