Horticulture magazine leaving Boston

16 years ago

Horticulture magazine has been published in Boston since 1904--probably the oldest garden magazine in the country. But they are moving to ... Kansas City. Just saw this in Tony Avent's Plant Delights online newsletter and seems to be breaking news.

Horticulture has had a number of owners since Mass. Hort. Society had to sell it because of their financial problems some years back. The current owner publishes a long list of small how-to magazines in different fields--none of them gardening.

This is really a loss to Boston and to New England. Another of our cultural institutions gone. And, nothing against Kansas City, but it doesn't seem like a great fit for this pillar of American horticulture.

Comments (7)

hostasz6a
16 years ago
It is a shame we are losing yet another cultural institution. My husband was sad when "The Atlantic" ceased publication in Boston. It is not the same, as I am sure "Horticultural" will change.
arbo_retum
15 years ago
groan.sigh.
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triciae
15 years ago
It's just 'wrong' for Hort. Magazine to not be published in Boston. It's like having Yankee Magazine published in Dallas. Just wrong...(sigh)

/tricia
bostonbound2
15 years ago
Think they sold it several years ago, as they did their building and part of their historical library.
ginny12
Original Author
15 years ago
Actually, Mass Hort Society sold Horticulture magazine quite a number of years ago. Then Mass Hort sold their Boston headquarters and a significant part of their unmatched library. The magazine had nothing to do with the last two events. Mass Hort is now located at Elm Bank on the Wellesley-Dover border.
nandina
15 years ago
I know from personal experience that valuable historical records have disappeared during the sale of the Mass. Hort Library. After my Dad's death I sent a file to the library because I knew there were those interested in his hybridizing records and wanted them to be available. A writer doing a book on New England horticulturists has searched high and low, but cannot find them. Thank goodness I kept other interesting historical data and letters exchanged between famous horticulturists which I know belong somewhere; but, where? Any suggestions?
ginny12
Original Author
15 years ago
My first thought would be an institution--university, established botanic garden etc-- with a connection to your father or one of the horticulturists you mention. If it is New England, consider UMass Amherst, which absorbed the Stockbridge School of Horticulture, the Arnold Arboretum, Tower Hill (Worcester County Horticultural Society), UNH and others. It's hard to say without knowing who is involved--ie, your father and his correspondents.

Your friend should contact Maureen Horn at Mass Hort's library. She's very nice. For a fee, they will get out of their Boston storage locker records someone might need. If they still have them.

And sad to say, much "walked away" over the years of gross neglect and incompetence at Mass Hort. But all is not lost so it's worth checking.

Horticulture magazine leaving Boston

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Horticulture magazine leaving Boston

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hostasz6a

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