Vegetative Environment Enhancement Program
Honoring The Alma Higgins Legacy
(Alma Margaret Bielenberg-Higgins 1874-1962)
The History and Contributions of Alma Higgins*
Alma Higgins was; “President of the Rocky Mountain Garden Club and potent factor in the (initial) beautification of Butte in the 1920s.” (After the devastating effect of active mining on the vegetative environment.) “She inspired hundreds of intelligent people working with steady enthusiasm for the beautification of Butte.” “She led the Butte Garden Movement for over 40 years with 18 clubs and over 400 members.” “Key molder and shaper of the (national) conservation of our forests movement,” and of the “Living Christmas Tree Campaign”. “She was influential in (1907) in the naming of the Ponderosa Pine as the Montana State tree.” “She championed the “City Beautiful Campaign” working with next door neighbors to transform small parks, school yards, and residences.” “In her “Butte the Beautiful’ project she planted hundreds of trees along Broadway, Excelsior, So. Montana St., and Rowe Rd.” “She also planted hundreds more trees in Thompson Park and along Rosevelt Dr.” “She was influential in the building of the University of Montana’s School of Forestry, and served as landscape architect for the School of Mines Campus.” “She influenced the building of an American League of Women’s Clubhouse in Deerlodge and Avon Montana.” ‘She taught Flower Design classes and was the largest contributor to Butte flower Shows.” “She planted, and maintained for 30 years, Butte’s finest in-city garden across from the present Butte Public Library.” “She also built the largest and most diverse native rock garden in Montana near Sheridan Montana.” “She actively promoted: WWI Freedom Gardens, Junior Garden Clubs, Seeds for Peace, Art in the Garden, and WWII Victory Gardens.” “She was an active founder of the National Federation of Women’s (Garden) Clubs.” In 1925 “She called for a statewide contest to choose the town with: ‘the most beautiful streets, best designed parks, most attractive school grounds, and the finest home gardens.”
The Alma Higgins Memorial Garden
Alma Higgins planted and maintained Butte’s finest in-city garden for over 30 years. The garden was dedicated as an Alma Higgins Memorial Garden on June 24, 1962, to honor and celebrate the memory and spirit of her contribution to the beautification of Butte, Montana.
(Montana Standard 6/25/1962)*
Alma Higgins Memorial Garden Dedicated in Ceremonies Here
“The Alma Higgins Memorial Garden at Broadway and Idaho was dedicated Sunday afternoon.
A bronze plaque, a gift of the Old Garden Court Theater, was presented the Rocky Mountain Garden Club Council by Robert Smith, director of theater.
The tribute was made in memory of Mrs. Higgins, who in her many years of residence here, took a dedicated part in garden club and conservation projects.
The garden is located in the court of the old Presbyterian Church (Covellite Theatre). It (the garden) was established in 1936 by Mrs. Higgins, who died recently.
Mrs. Karl Stockinger, president of the council, accepted the plaque, which is imbedded in the rock garden in the court. Mrs. William Magill, South Central District Chairman of Montana Federation of Garden Club, a unit to which Mrs. Higgins belonged, and Mrs. Dan J. Mooney, past national garden club president, took part.
Mrs. F. S. Mattocks, Boulder, Colo., national parliamentarian, and Mrs. Fred Mauntel, Washington, Mo., third vice president of the national organization, also were present.”
Be a Back Yard Garden Gleaner and share a portion of your vegetable garden’s production with the B-SB Food Bank or the Butte Rescue Mission.
* Facts obtained from various documents at the B-SB Archives.