The Portland Michigan Garden Club was founded in 1969 when Genevra Van Dyke, who was maintaining the plantings at Burman Square, approached Madeline Franks for assistance. Madeline suggested that the community would benefit from forming a formal garden club, and together they brought that vision to life.
The original members included Elin Doehne, Judy Watson, and Rosemary Neller. Over time, the club expanded its efforts to include additional downtown plantings, further enhancing the beauty of the community. In 1987, the organization was officially established as a nonprofit, with Genevra Van Dyke serving as its first President.
To support its projects, the club organized fundraisers such as Geranium, Mum, and Poinsettia sales, with flowers grown by Rose Acres in Charlotte, Michigan. The original Geranium sale was held in the parking lot next to The Pizza Shop, where volunteers worked with minimal shelter from the often unpredictable May weather.