The Common Wealth Award was established in May 1979 to provide annual grants to the community projects of the Garden Club of Virginia’s member clubs. The projects must be in the areas of conservation, beautification, horticulture, preservation or education. The two-word name Common Wealth was chosen to describe the “wealth” that is “common” to all Virginians. Proposals are submitted to the GCV Common Wealth Award Committee and finalists are selected and announced at the Annual Meeting. Presidents of member clubs or their alternates select the winning project at the Board of Governors’ Meeting. Projects other than the first place winner may be resubmitted. For additional information please contact the Common Wealth Award Chairman.
(Nomination deadline March 1) Click here for nomination form.
Click here to view a complete list of Common Wealth Award winners.
HISTORY OF COMMON WEALTH WINNERS
2024 The Nature Garden Along the Smith River Paw Path at the Smith River Sports Complex, The Garden Study Club and The Martinsville Garden Club
2023 The Virginia War Memorial Public Green Space, The Boxwood Garden Club, The James River Garden Club, Three Chopt Garden Club, and The Tuckahoe Garden Club of Westhampton
2022 Horticulture Therapy for Pediatric Patients at Virginia Treatment Center for Children (VTCC) Richmond, Three Chopt Garden Club, Richmond
2021 Jill’s Garden – Union Mission Women and Children’s Shelter, Harborfront Garden Club, Norfolk
2020 Living Green Wall at Brock Environmental Center’s Classroom Annex The Virginia Beach Garden Club
2019 Peter Paul Development Center and Playground Enhancement The Boxwood Garden Club
2018 Urban Garden Invites Youth to “Dream a Different Future” The Elizabeth River Garden Club
2017 The Healing Grove at Boulder Crest Retreat Fauquier and Loudoun Garden Club
2016 The Academy Center of the Arts Tree Garden Hillside Garden Club
2015 Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention Center Charlottesville and Rivanna
2014 The Ashland Train Station Ashland Garden Club
2013 Chatham Manor Garden Beautification Rappahannock Valley
2012 The Miller-Claytor House Garden Lynchburg Garden Club
2011 Hatton Ferry Rivanna Garden Club
2010 Butterfly and Sensory Garden at St. Mary’s Home Harborfront Garden Club
2009 Anne Spencer Garden Hillside Garden Club
2008 A Fort Called Christanna and its Indian Trading Center Brunswick Garden Club
2007 Camp Still Meadows Spotswood
2006 Cedar Hill Project Heritage Garden Nansemond River
2005 Virginia’s Botanical History, 1607 to Today Huntington Garden Club
2004 Bandy Field Nature Park Boxwood and Tuckahoe
2003 Camp Still Meadows Spotswood
2002 Cape Charles Central Park – The Garden Club of the Eastern Shore
2001 Virginia Native Plant Garden – The Garden Club of Norfolk