Pennsylvania Horticultural Society - Philadelphia Flower Show

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.

John P. Habermehl of J. J. Habermehl's Sons, florists, is on the left. Habermehl was a founding director of Philadelphia Flower Show Incorported, producers of the Philadelphia Flower Show 1927 - 1964. He is standing in "The Debutante's Floral Revue" a 600 square foot exhibit designed by J. Liddon Pennock, consisting of an elaborate collection of over 75 floral arrangements in bowls, vases, baskets, corsages and bouquets. 7.5 x 9.5 in. b&w photograph. Philadelphia Flower Show 1932 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.

Conveniently sized for pocket or purse, The PRT Traveler was a biweekly news leaflet produced by the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company (a predecessor of today's mass transit system, SEPTA) and placed in transit vehicles and stations throughout the city. The 1932 PRT Traveler included tips on getting to the Flower Show. Visitors had a choice of taking the Market-Frankford "EL," one of several bus and trolley routes, or a "Yellow or Quaker Cab (in which five can ride as cheaply as one)." Getting visitors to the show was and continues to be a priority for SEPTA.

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.

The Pennsylvania School of Horticulture for Women (now Temple University, Ambler Campus) has exhibited regularly from the show's days in the Commercial Museum up through today's shows. Other academic exhibitors have included Delaware Valley College, the University of Delaware, William Saul High School, and Abraham Lincoln High School.

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.

Philadelphia landscape architect Thomas Sears, designer of the 1934 show, was the first designer to use a “central feature” or main exhibit. This feature consisted of a long, linear azalea garden staged by Bobbink & Atkins on the main aisle, which terminated at a summer house. Twin stairways flanked the outside of the house, and visitors were invited to climb the stairs to enjoy the view. Sculptor Harriet W. Frishmuth’s Scherzo was positioned to good effect.