Winterthur CEO Chris Strand named Honorary Member of Garden Club of America

Chris Strand, director and CEO of Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, has been named one of four new honorary members of the Garden Club of America (GCA) for 2025. (Photo courtesy of Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library)

Chris Strand, director and CEO of Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, has been named one of four new honorary members of the Garden Club of America (GCA) for 2025.

The honor, announced at the GCA’s annual meeting on April 28 in Ponte Vedra, Florida, recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions in horticulture and conservation. Since 1916, the GCA has inducted more than 400 honorary members whose work supports its mission.

Strand was nominated by the Garden Club of Wilmington and endorsed by its president, Wendy Mahoney Russell. The Gardeners of Villanova, Pennsylvania, also seconded the nomination, with support from its president, Michele Jameson.

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One nominator praised Strand as someone who “combines horticulture knowledge with vision and determination” and called him “an ideal ambassador for horticulture at Winterthur and beyond.”

“I am very grateful and humbled for this extraordinary honor. My journey through gardens has been an exceptional privilege. From the historic landscapes of the Arnold Arboretum to the breathtaking grounds of Winterthur, each step has been an opportunity to connect people with wonder-inspiring narratives written in leaves, branches, and blooming landscapes,” Strand said.

“Whether working with community gardeners, guiding summer interns, or coordinating volunteer programs, I have always believed that gardens are more than collections of plants,” he added. “They are living classrooms, sources of inspiration, and bridges between human experience and the natural environment.”

Strand has led numerous initiatives throughout his career that connect communities to gardens. His past work includes supporting farmers markets and community gardening in Virginia, mentoring summer interns at Callaway Gardens in Georgia, and designing educational programming at Winterthur.

He became Winterthur’s director and CEO in 2021, the first to rise to the role from within the organization’s ranks.

Claudia Estrada

Claudia is a Philadelphia-based journalist and reporter passionate about storytelling that informs and engages the community. Claudia, a proud Temple University graduate, has built a career covering impactful stories and creating compelling content across digital and print media platforms. With a strong background in writing, editing, and research, Claudia has worked on various topics, from local news to in-depth features, always striving to deliver meaningful and accurate reporting.