How It All Began
The American Hosta Society, now numbering over 3000 members, was
conceived by two individuals living hundreds of miles apart: Alex J. Summers,
then of Long Island, New York, and Eunice V. (Mrs. Glen) Fisher of Oshkosh,
Wisconsin. Based on the pioneering work done by Mrs. Frances R. Williams, a
professional landscape architect, who in the 1930s transferred all of her
gardening energies to the genus Hosta, a few enthusiasts in the Midwest and on
the East Coast established collections of hostas and began "spreading the
gospel" to other gardeners. The idea of establishing a national hosta society was
first proposed by Alex in a letter to Eunice, dated January 29, 1968. Eunice wrote
back to him on March 5, 1968 about a long talk she had with Mervin C. Eisel,
then associated with the Landscape Arboretum of the University of Minnesota,
about the same subject and with this correspondence the foundation of our
society was laid.
Alex and Eunice forged right ahead and began a lively exchange of telephone
conversations and correspondence. On March 20 they were already discussing
letterheads and formulating invitations to join. The first typed "treasurer's report"
came April 16, 1968: The fledgling society had 4 members, each of whom
contributed $3.00 and one sustaining member, Merv Eisel, who gave $10.00.
The total society income was $22.00. This money was promptly spent on 500
pieces of letterhead and 500 invitations to join, 30 envelopes and postage for 25
letters for a total of $22.00. Yes, printing and mailing costs were a lot less
expensive then.
With the invitations mailed out, the society had grown to 35 members by July of
1968 with its treasury boasting the grand sum of $139.60. Among the founding
charter members were Dr. R. C. Allen, Harold Epstein, Mrs. Eunice C. Fisher,
David Stone, Alex J. Summers, and Dr. and Mrs. John C. Wister. The founding
President was Alex Summers, who held this post as well as that of editor of the
American Hosta Society Bulletin from 1968 until 1978. Eunice Fisher was the
founding Secretary/Treasurer.
The first "convention" took place on July 7, 1968 at the home of Dr. and Mrs.
John C. Wister in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. Very soon this was followed by the
first issue of a society newsletter when on July 18, 1968 100 copies of the
newsletter were printed at a cost of $9.15 with 70 copies being sent out to
members. By Christmas of 1968 our society had 135 members and $363.22 in
the bank. Eunice then in her seventies, had faithfully typed and mailed dozens of
letters and reports to Alex. In March of 1969 our total assets were $634.03
coming from dues paid by 147 members (11 sustaining) and including our first
auction proceeds of $14.78!
Also in March of 1969 the first issue of the American Hosta Society Bulletin (later
The Hosta Journal) was published. It was a very informative publication put
together by Alex almost single-handedly and it contributed much to the increase
in membership. In the first issue of The Bulletin, aside from Alex and Eunice, the
advisory board was listed and consisted of Dr. R. C. Allen, Harold Epstein, David
Stone, and Dr. John C. Wister. Membership had grown to 221 by the spring of
1970.
In the early 1970s, primarily because of the work done by the founding hosta
enthusiasts, the International Society for Horticultural Science, The Hague, The
Netherlands, appointed the University of Minnesota as The International
Registration Authority (IRA) for the genus Hosta. Mr. Mervin C. Eisel was named
the International Registrar. He had served as the informal "Registration
Chairman" from 1969 until his retirement. After Merv's retirement, David H.
Stevenson took over as International Registrar.
Under the early leadership of Alex and Eunice and their helpers, followed in later
years by many dedicated hosta enthusiasts taking terms in the guidance of our
society, The American Hosta Society has grown into a smoothly functioning
organization and is today the world's leading association promoting the genus
Hosta.
W. George Schmid
Historian, The American Hosta Society