During his first year on staff at NYBG, Everett launched the School for Gardeners, modeled after his Kew course of study. During World War II, with so many men leaving to join the military, he temporarily shut down the School and switched to tutoring soldiers and civilians on the basics of victory gardening and hiring women as temporary gardeners on a yearly basis.
Over time, he became Senior Curator of Education and expanded the Garden’s educational offerings, adding certificate programs for adults, courses for schoolteachers, and the Gardencraft Program, a precursor to today’s diverse and renowned Children’s Gardening Program.
Everett modeled the School on his experience at Kew, emphasizing proper techniques in all aspects of horticulture.
During WWII, Everett closed the School and tutored soldiers and civilians in the basics of victory gardening.
In 1943 Everett began hiring women as “Temporary Gardeners” both outdoors and in the greenhouses.
In 1956 Everett launched the Gardencraft Program, where city youths age eight to sixteen learned to plant and tend flowers and vegetables. Everett’s sister, Hetty, is shown here instructing students.
Conditions Governing Employment of Student Gardeners, ca. 1932
Everett established the School for Gardeners in 1932, known today as the School of Professional Horticulture.
Victory Garden brochure, 1942
Everett’s Victory Program in Vegetable Gardening included courses “taught in a thoroughly practical manner by qualified instructors.”
