About Us
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We are the oldest and largest Community Garden in the Chicago Park District's collection. The history of our garden can be traced back to before the Depression era in America when the Victory Garden concept was in full initiation following its World War I creation. However, in World War II, we took on the title Victory Garden and contributed to the war effort like many other gardens in cities throughout the country. Since then, our garden has evolved with our city and community. From the Great Depression to the age of technology, through the popularity of "urban farming" and Chicago's evolving south lakeshore, The RBVG has stood inviting individuals to be part of a "victory" garden community. ​We have had the honor of having the late George Beadle, Nobel Prize winner in Genetics and a former University of Chicago President, as a member. ABC Channel 7 News featured our garden as the last remaining Victory Garden in the city. Former First Lady Michelle Obama noted our garden's history in her 2012 book American Grown: The Story of the White House Garden and Gardens Across America.
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Who We Are Today
We are a diverse group of new and longtime residents of Chicago's south side neighborhoods who all share an interest and dedication to maintaining a seed-to-table gardening experience in the community. Our members have always understood how crucial community gardens are to urban America. Today, our garden assists not only in providing food for residents but also in waging the war on climate change.
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The combined membership years of our longest-time members equals over a hundred years of gardening experience. In its 80th year, The RBVG continues to introduce itself to a new generation of gardeners, young families, and community residents, who like their predecessors, work to maintain the garden's mission: to maintain a peaceful, safe, cultural, and inter-generational space that fosters respect for our garden community, for learning and especially Respect for the Earth.
If you are interested in joining the RBVG, please link here to Become A Member.