American Rose Society

Buckeye District

Your Primary Source for ARS Buckeye District, Local Rose Society,

and Rose Growing Information in Ohio

Back to District Information

Harry O’Brien of Columbus served at the first Buckeye District Director from 1947 to 1952. Mrs. William H. (Betty) Pavey of Xenia was the first woman to serve as Director from 1967 to 1970 and again from 1979 to 1982.

The District functioned on a one-per year meeting until 1956 when the first Spring meeting was held at The Ohio State University - March 13, 1956 under the Directorship of Herald Allen.

The Buckeye Rose Bulletin was first published July 15, 1955, under the Editorship of William Ritter. Clair Johnson and Robert Ihrig served as his assistants. All were members of the Akron Rose Society.

The District meeting was changed to a two-day conference status in 1955 when the convention was hosted by the Lima Rose Society at the Allen County Memorial Hall.

The first Consulting Rosarians were appointed during the 1955 convention in Lima.

The McFarland District Trophy is the oldest District rose trophy. It was first offered in competition in 1956 during the conference sponsored by the Miami Valley Rose Society at the Dayton Art Institute. It first called for Six Hybrid Tea Roses - it was later changed to Seven Hybrid Tea Roses.

The first Judging School was organized in 1955 and served as the Sunday attraction at the Lima convention.

Joe J. Klima of University Heights was the first National President from the Buckeye District to serve the American Rose Society. Mr. M. E. Noggle of Circleville served several terms as National Treasurer of ARS.

The Cleveland Rose Society is the oldest society in the District. They celebrated their 25^{th anniversary in 1956.}

In 1970, two Outstanding Consulting Rosarian Awards were presented to E. Lee Cox and Ralph W. Doll. It was the first time in the history of the Buckeye district and ARS that two awards were given in one year. Both Mr. Cox and Mr. Doll were members of the Miami Valley Rose Society.