Behnke Nurseries is a local institution beloved in the area and patronized by generations and unfortunately, in June, the popular garden center will be closing after 89 years. On May 2, Stephanie Fleming, granddaughter of Behnke Nurseries founders Albert and Rose Behnke, accepted our invitation to speak about the nursery.
Fleming, Behnke's Vice President, shared family photographs and discussed the history of the business from its start as a roadside cut flower stand, its growth through the second half of the 20th century, and eventually the difficult decision to close its gates. In the photo below, founder Albert Behnke stands beneath the iconic Route 1 location sign. (photo courtesy Behnke Nurseries)
The lecture was filmed and will be available on the City of Greenbelt's YouTube channel. Stay tuned for information about a late-Summer screening. We were also thrilled to receive some of the many scrapbooks and ephemera from the nursery for the Museum's collection.
