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The first known organization of a horticultural group in North Bay was the North Bay Agricultural Society. Its first annual meeting was held on January 21, 1921. Operating in association with the Department of Agriculture until 1929, the society received annual grants ranging from $49 to $92 per year, after this point it apparently operated independently. The Agricultural Society was offically dissolved in 1942 The Greater North Bay Horticultural Society first met at City Hall on May 24, 1962. The local townships of Widdifield and West Ferris were not part of North Bay at this time, prompting the society to use the term "Greater" in their title. The name was formally changed to the North Bay Horticultural Society in February 1977. From the time of its founding, the Greater North Bay Horticultural Society has belonged to District 12, which regrouped the three northern electoral districts of Cochrane, Nipissing, and Temiscaming. The first executive of the society in 1962 was as follows: President:
Biff Gigg The North Bay Horticultural Society began its first full year of operationunder that name in 1978. The white water lily was submitted as a logo by Les Van Dusen because it grows abundantly just north of here. It was voted on by the membership and accepted in 1988. A logo was designed by Gordon Hamilton and T-shirts were made. In 1994, Martin Casey suggested the society change its floral emblem to Siberian iris. Hardy and widely grown throughout the north, it seemed an appropriate symbol. A new logo for the society using the Siberian iris was designed by Barry Burniston. North Bay Horticultural Society holds general meetings on the 4th Wednesday of most months at the Cassellholme Auditorium: the meetings include a Master Gardener who will answer member's questions and presentations by varied speakers. These meetings are announced beforehand in the local newspaper, on 3 local radio stations and on cable TV, as well as on our website. Yearly events include a Plant Sale in May, (this is our main fundraiser) when members are dividing their perennials; a flower and Vegetable Show in summer which is held at a local church. Three times a year our members clean up a section of Hwy 11 and from spring to fall maintain several flower beds under the Civic Beautification Program, these are the Waterfront Theme Bed, Waterfront Lilac Bed, Alice Mayne Lily Bed at the public library, Dellandrea Place, Canadore College, Wildflower Bed at the intersection of HWY 11 and HWY 17 and the Chamber of Commerce tubs. The theme bed is Red and white begonias with the letters OHA to honour the Ontario Horticultural Association's 99th anniversary. Members also volunteer to be judges in the Communities in Bloom Front Yard Garden Contest. The Society's newsletter, The Green Thumb is a monthly publication which keeps members informed of local events and timely gardening information. In 1967, approval was given for the establishment of a bursary, initially set at $25, for a student going on to study in the area of horticulture, floriculture or landscape design. That bursary is now $300 and is available to local students of horticulture yearly. Under the Social program we have a potluck, a Strawberry Social in June and Ella's Picnic at the waterfront is the 4th Wednesday in July. Past Presidents of the Society:
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