On April 25, 1913 a group of women from the city of Grand Rapids, Mich. met at the home of Miss Grace Griswold due to their shared interest in gardening and founded the Kent Garden Club. Their purpose was to promote gardening, collaborate with their members and the community on gardening ideas and techniques, and to preserve Michigan's wildlife and environment. In 1931, the Kent Garden Club and members from other clubs of Michigan organized and became a member of the Federated Garden Clubs of Michigan. In 1932, the Kent Garden Club, along with the Federated Garden Clubs of Michigan, accepted an invitation to become a member of the National Council of State Garden Clubs. The first officers of the club were Mrs. McGeorge Bundy, the president, and Miss Griswold, as secretary. The club did not have their first male members until 1985 and it continues to be primarily composed of women. Since their early years the Kent Garden Club has been involved in the community and has been philanthropic in their approach. In their early years they raised funds to adopt orphaned children and donated funds, flowers, and services to various organizations including the Ronald McDonald House, the Grand Rapids Art Gallery, the Grand Rapids Public Museum, and several parks. In their later years, they spread out regionally and worked on several projects, some at Michigan State University, Loda Lake in the Manistee National Forrest, and at Grass Bay east of Cheboygan, Michigan. Today they continue to plant gardens around the city of Grand Rapids, and in the region.