About Arasapha Garden Club
What Does "Arasapha" Mean?
View of the Delaware River at sunset from the Delaware Street pier in historic New Castle
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"Arasapha" was one of the names of the Delaware River in the 1600s and 1700s. Its origin and meaning are unclear. According to local legend, Arasapha is thought to have been a Native American name for "the bend in the river” where the Delaware River meets the Delaware Bay. But a Public Ledger Almanac from the 1870s says Arasapha comes from the word "arasaphe" or "it goes fine," meaning a river at all times navigable and useful. An 1877 book by John Clement, Sketches of the First Immigrant Settlers, Newton Township, Old Gloucester County, West New Jersey, mentions a tribal "king" named Arasapha. And a 1924 book by Alfred Miller Heston, South Jersey: A History, refers to the Arasapha Tribe.
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Arasapha Garden Club Leadership
2019-2020 Board
Anita Scovanner, Chair, term ending 2020
Vacant, Vice Chair, term ending 2021
Jim Whisman, Treasurer, term ending 2021
Linda Suskie, Secretary, term ending 2021
Sharon Hornstein, At Large, term ending 2020
Alice Jarvis, At Large, term ending 2021
Renee Lamoreaux, At Large, term ending 2020
Brian Whittaker, At Large, term ending 2020
Anita Scovanner, Chair, term ending 2020
Vacant, Vice Chair, term ending 2021
Jim Whisman, Treasurer, term ending 2021
Linda Suskie, Secretary, term ending 2021
Sharon Hornstein, At Large, term ending 2020
Alice Jarvis, At Large, term ending 2021
Renee Lamoreaux, At Large, term ending 2020
Brian Whittaker, At Large, term ending 2020
Contact any board member at ArasaphaGarden@gmail.com or by writing to Arasapha Garden Club, P.O. Box 126, New Castle DE 19720.
Arasapha Garden Club members can use their membership directories, distributed annually by e-mail, to contact board members directly.
Arasapha Garden Club members can use their membership directories, distributed annually by e-mail, to contact board members directly.
Mission
Arasapha Garden Club has three purposes:
- Its primary emphasis is on the beautification and improvement of the Amstel House and Dutch House gardens while preserving their historical integrity.
- It also aims to stimulate interest in and practical knowledge of gardening and historical gardens among its members and the community through educational programs and activities.
- It further aims to beautify and improve historic New Castle.
Values
Arasapha's most important values are:
- Community including camaraderie, collaboration, and community-building within the club, with partner organizations, with the greater New Castle community, and with all those interested in gardening and historic gardens
- Excellence in the maintenance, preservation, and beauty of historic and educational gardens
- Stewardship of the resources of the Club, our community, and the New Castle Historical Society
- Education in gardening and historic gardens
- Access: Arasapha welcomes everyone who is willing to help with the Club's gardens, programs, and activities.
Vision
Gardens: The Amstel House and Dutch House Gardens will exemplify the finest examples of gardens in a historic setting, each with its own distinct character, while maintaining the historic integrity of the gardens. They will provide a visually pleasing and educational value to members and visitors alike.
Education: The Amstel House and Dutch House Gardens will provide opportunities for visitors to learn about historic gardening. Arasapha will continue to offer education on gardening and historic gardens of interest to the broader community.
Beautification and improvement of historic New Castle: Arasapha will continue to create all-natural holiday greens for business and public buildings in historic New Castle. It will consider other ways to support historic New Castle's beautification.
Membership: Arasapha's membership will be diverse in terms of age, experience, background, and geographic location and will contribute actively toward the quality of its gardens, programs, and activities.
Communication and partnerships: Arasapha will continue to communicate and develop strong relationships with its members, partner organizations, the greater New Castle community, visitors, and those interested in gardening and historic gardens. Communications will continue to aim to inform Arasapha's stakeholders about Arasapha's purposes, gardens, programs, and activities and thereby build interest in and support for Arasapha.
Education: The Amstel House and Dutch House Gardens will provide opportunities for visitors to learn about historic gardening. Arasapha will continue to offer education on gardening and historic gardens of interest to the broader community.
Beautification and improvement of historic New Castle: Arasapha will continue to create all-natural holiday greens for business and public buildings in historic New Castle. It will consider other ways to support historic New Castle's beautification.
Membership: Arasapha's membership will be diverse in terms of age, experience, background, and geographic location and will contribute actively toward the quality of its gardens, programs, and activities.
Communication and partnerships: Arasapha will continue to communicate and develop strong relationships with its members, partner organizations, the greater New Castle community, visitors, and those interested in gardening and historic gardens. Communications will continue to aim to inform Arasapha's stakeholders about Arasapha's purposes, gardens, programs, and activities and thereby build interest in and support for Arasapha.