Austin Area Garden Center

The story of the Garden Center started in October 1954, when seven Austin Garden Clubs petitioned the City of Austin, requesting permission to erect a Garden Center on city property. The City Council granted such permission on November 15, 1962, allocating space in Zilker Park. The city retained ownership of the land but agreed to furnish utilities, grounds maintenance and building repairs to the new Garden Center.

The Austin clubs were Violet Crown Garden Club, the Men's Garden Club, Wilshire Garden Club, the Austin Women's Federation Garden Group, Heart of the Hills Gardeners, Western Hills Garden Club and West Lake Hills Garden Club. Together they organized the Austin Area Garden Council in November 1955, and assumed responsibility for the viability of the Garden Center.

The council presented plans for the building and adjacent gardens under the direction of Mr. Beverly Sheffield, then Director of Parks and Recreation. The Austin City Council approved the plans and construction began with groundbreaking ceremonies on September 8, 1963. The attractive stone building was completed and dedicated on October 25, 1964. This was the beginning of what has become the focal point for thousands of local patrons, school children and tourists who visit the Garden and Center each year. The Center is the site of as many as 45 to 50 meetings each month, making the facility one of the most popular buildings in the city.