On September 27, 1938, six women formed The Bloomington Garden Club. These six charter members had the following mission: to promote the knowledge and love of gardening; to aid in the protection of native trees, plants, and birds; and to encourage civic planting and beautification.

Throughout the years, the BGC has worked toward this mission through members’ own gardens, through close work with Hilltop Garden’s Youth Gardening Program, and through small grants and advice to non-profit community organizations who wish to improve their surroundings.

In 1990, The Bloomington Garden Club held its first Garden Walk. In 2009, BGC’s 20th Annual Garden Walk brought the total number of gardens included throughout the years to over one hundred. The money raised from the Annual Garden Walk is used primarily to help fund Hilltop Garden’s Youth Gardening Program Summer Camp and scholarships to the Camp, with some funds reserved for community project grants.