The Massachusetts Horticultural Society, which calls Elm Bank Reservation its home at 900 Washington St., is offering residents of Wellesley and Dover free membership for a year. The Cheney Bridge at Elm Bank’s entrance, and Mass Hort’s address, are in Wellesley, while the bulk of the reservation is in Dover.
One membership per household gets you free admission to the gardens, which used to be free to everyone but have become increasingly gated off over the years as Mass Hort has looked to become more financially stable and protect its property.
Membership includes access to lots of flowers and other plants, as well as the always fun Weezie’s Garden for kids. Membership also includes discounts at a bunch of nurseries and garden centers, discounts on Mass Hort workshops and events, plus a subscription to Fine Gardening magazine.
If you don’t live in Wellesley or Dover but are interested in a membership, a range of options are available:
- Individual $55
- Family $90
- Supporter $180
- Basic Garden Club $175
- Garden Club Circle $500
- Cultivator Circle $1,000

How can one procure the free membership?
Please see links at start and end of post, thanks.
We are delighted to offer one year of free membership to our friends and neighbors in Dover and Wellesley. This is a one-time opportunity and will not be repeated, so please sign up now! We recognize that there are still many pandemic related restrictions and want to respond to the need for access to gardens for health, wellness and enjoyment. We are incredibly grateful to our longstanding paying members who are supporting their community by making this possible in this most difficult of years. To support this and our other outreach programs, please visit http://www.masshort.org
– Massachusetts Horticultural Society
Thanks James, much appreciated
Thank you! Am excited to go check it out as I have never been!
We are moving to Wellesley at the end of June – this seems like a great offer, should we sign up now or when we move in? Thank you
No time like the present!
Hi Josh,
I am afraid that this might not be possible this time. The membership offer is only open to those with a Dover or Wellesley mailing address and expires May 15 (Dover) and 23 (Wellesley). If you have a property here already, you can use that address. Sorry, its the only way to make this strictly a one-time offer and for the limited geography.
What a generous offer to Dover and Wellesley residents! I would like to take advantage of your free offer for membership for one year.I am a resident of Dover and a gardener as well.
Thanks.
Helen