Home / Archive / VOL. V NO. 20 10/15/2024 / A Book and A Garden

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VOL. V NO. 20 10/15/2024

A Book and A Garden

A glance back: In 1934, Bernard and Irene Botsford Hoffmann donated 8� acres to establish the Berkshire Garden Center called the Berkshire Botanical Garden today. Mrs. Hoffmann was president from 1934 – 1941. In 1950, Irene wrote The Book of Herb Cookery and donated the proceeds of her book to the Garden Center. The Center was dedicated to Bernard and Irene Hoffmann in September 1950, one year after Bernard’s death.

Bernard died in the summer of 1949 at Brookside while dressing for a concert at Tanglewood. Irene died in 1960. When her will was probated, there were endowments for the Garden Center and the Jackson Library, now the Stockbridge Library, Museum and Archives.

Called the Berkshire Botanical Garden (BBG) today, the Garden and the Library were and still remain two of Stockbridge’s greatest treasures. BBG has inspired generations of gardeners and garden lovers. And over the decades, BBG’s buildings and grounds have changed to meet the changing needs.

The exhibit, “90 Years Young: Berkshire Botanical Garden 1934-2024,” honors its long history and the people who made BBG what it is today.

“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” Cicero.

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