Louisa King
Louisa King was born in 1863. After marrying the wealthy Francis King, Louisa was introduced to gardening by her mother-in-law. Several years into her marriage, King's husband fell ill and spent time at a sanitarium in Alma, Michigan. Following his recovery, the King family decided to relocate permanently in Alma and lived in Orchard House, which is pictured to the right. There Mrs. King planted her garden.
Over time Mrs. King became one of America's foremost published authorities on gardening. She wrote nine books and many articles on the subject and participated in lecture tours. King was also the founder of the Garden Club of Michigan, the Garden Club of America and the Woman's National Farm and Garden Association (WNFGA).
King believed that gardens and gardening were great forces in democracy which helped break down economic and regional barriers. She developed this idea and linked it to her support for the United Nations by proposing the idea of an International Horticultural Society stating: "gardeners never fight with one another."
The Clarke Historical Library holds a collection of photographs which document King's
Alma garden.