Sherman Library & Gardens provides inspiration, education, and appreciation of regional history, horticulture, and the arts for all.
Vision
Sherman Library & Gardens endeavors to be the premier resource for ecotonal horticulture and historical collections o the acific So th est, and stri es to enrich people’s li es thro gh ed cational and artistic experiences.
Board of Trustees
Brad Avery
Stacy Cannon
Tim Collins
Dan Daniels
Gary Pickett
Judy Posnikoff
James “Walkie” Ray
Janet Ray
Peter Rooney
Kristin Yokomoto
Sherman Library & Gardens Leadership
Scott LaFleur, Executive Director
Alexandra Anderson, Philanthropy
Kyle Cheesborough, Horticulture
Jill Thrasher, Library
Lisa Wagner, Education and Programs
Message from the Garden
Dear Valued Members and Sherman Community,
s the premier non profit c lt ral center o e port each, e stri e e er da to lfill o r mission to inspire and ed cate the comm nit ith an appreciation o histor , hortic lt re and the arts
he ed cation program contin es to dri e Sherman ibrar ardens’ mission pro iding people o all ages and bac gro nds ith an opport nit to engage and connect ith nat re, ith each other and ith the bea t o histor Sherman’s strength is the a all parts o the organi ation s pport each other and or together
d cation is the heart o the organi ation Hortic lt re is the li eblood that helps s gro he ibrar is o r memor , o r histor that reminds s ho e are and here e come rom hilanthrop is the lo e and critical s pport e recei e rom o r comm nit he so l o o r organi ation is the mission e share and the impact it has on all of you, the Sherman Community!
s o e plore o r ann al report, e hope it becomes clear ho e stri e to or together and create a mission that adds bea t , meaning, and al e to o and o r onder l comm nit
With love and gratitude, Scott LaFleur Executive
Director
Visit Sherman Library & Gardens:
Membership & Visitors
Sherman shares a rich culture of history, horticulture, and art with visitors and valued members in our community
THANK YOU MEMBERS
Sherman is er grate l to its onder l comm nit o members ho lend their ongoing s pport to help gro Sherman’s mission
97,191 visitors this year
MEMBER APPRECIATION
Sherman hosted t o s mmer e ents as a arm thank you to all members for their continued s pport amil riendl mo ie night elcomed members to atch a film in the garden ater in the s mmer, Sherman’s tradition o a ember
Appreciation Picnic offered music, entertainment, and la n games to picnic ers ha ing n in the garden after hours.
3,454 active members
JOIN THE SHERMAN FAMILY BECOME A MEMBER
Scan the code belo to learn abo t the benefits of being a Sherman Library & Gardens member.
thesherman.org/membership
Two teams of extraordinary community members generously give their time and talent to Sherman
9,910+ volunteer hours
ol nteers pro ide ital garden or , assist ith Sherman special e ents, ser e as arden Ambassadors, perform special projects, and eagerly lend helping hands all over the library, gardens, and garden shop. DOCENT
3,795 hours served
49 dedicated members of the Docent Guild
8 graduates of the Docent Training Program
10 recipients of Docent Lifetime Membership Awards
Education
Sherman serves the community through exceptional educational experiences set against a garden backdrop that is rich for learning
CULTIVATING THE NEXT GENERATION
Sherman’s school field trip program, Habitat Explorers, brings eager 2nd and 3rd graders from local public, private, Montessori, and home schools to take a journey into the garden. Our handson approach, supported by STEAM principles, encourages exploration of everything the garden has to offer.
4,000 elementary students served ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS
rida mornings in the garden are b stling ith the sounds of excited little voices, ready for story time his ee l e ent is a m st ma e or local amilies Sherman’s o tdoor setting is per ect or ids to find their spot on the color l mat and listen to o r ama ing team o stor tellers
1000+ kids
attended story time with their families
SUMMER CAMP FUN AT SHERMAN
ids ic ed o the s mmer ith a camp that provided a full sensory experience! In the garden campers discovered a kaleidoscope of colors and symphony of sounds. Staff blended science and art as the in estigated s eet smells and eelings he ee as topped o ith garden inspired popsicles or a s eet finish
POPULAR CAMP ACTIVITIES
Sound mapping
Scent identification
Garden scavenger hunts
Summer garden popsicle making
Library & Arts
Rare
books, manuscripts, artwork,
and artifacts bring history to life at Sherman Library
EXHIBITION AND LECTURES
ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS
806 books added to digital catalog
803 reference questions answered
2,622 records & artifacts accessed by researchers
Most-accessed manuscripts:
ilber Sa er ollection
Phil Brigandi Papers
Colorado Land Company Papers e port each hamber o Commerce Papers
$5,000 granted for the preservation of the papers of Phil Brigandi, a historian specializing in Orange County history, who left his papers to Sherman Library
Phil Dike: From Paris to the Peninsula Sherman Library Exhibit
Murder is the Order of the Day: The Flores-Daniel Gang and the Barton Massacre of 1857 Lecture by Paul Spitzzeri March 19, 2024
The Moultons: Women Who Shaped Orange County Lecture by Jennifer Keil May 21, 2024
he oaring s he lor a s o S rfing in orona del ar Lecture by Paul Burnett June 11, 2024
Sherman ibrar began implementation o a ne digital catalog or the librar ’s boo collection he catalog ill ma e searching simpler and more accessible or g ests and sta and ill allo patrons to bro se online in the t re
Artistry and science combine to create impressive botanical displays that inspire and delight guests season after season
CONSERVATORY UPDATES
Thanks to a generous donation by Anton and enni er Segerstrom to the ro the gardens campaign, Sherman ibrar ardens’ conser ator nder ent a large scale re rbishment updating the roof vent mechanics, heaters, and misters o these smart s stems a tomaticall maintain optimal conditions for the tropical plants. These renovations join an earlier improvement of the pond or Sherman’s resident oi fish and t rtles
8,200+
Annuals planted in the sun, central, and formal gardens
DAHLIA STREET REFRESH
his ear’s gro p o e ceptional s mmer interns or ed together to gi e a ne loo to the e terior beds on Dahlia Street. The garden took on a editerranean inspired design ith dro ght tolerant species. The design incorporates decorative slate elements and highlights the espalier banana shrub that graces the chimney of the central patio room.
PLANTING THE SEEDS
ne s mmer intern, Ha den Sa nders, has oined Sherman’s hortic lt re team as a part time emplo ee and plans his future studies in plant sciences after being inspired by his summer internship.
“My experience at Sherman Gardens has been an incredibly rewarding one. It has helped me discover my passion and identify the career path I'd like to pursue. Sherman Gardens has transformed my interest in plants into an obsession!”
-Hayden Saunders
Community Events
CREATURES Sherman is a community hub for cultural events and private celebrations set against a magnificent backdrop
By day, Sherman Library & Gardens is a paradise o color l o ers and blooming plants t during Creatures, guests received a glimpse into a di erent orld his amil riendl e ening incl ded visits from OC Birds of Prey, Santa Ana Zoo, and Adventures Living in Science to teach guests about the habits o birds o pre , creep cra l b gs, and nocturnal animals.
PLANT SHOWS
nth siasts tra el rom ar and ide or specialt plant sho s at Sherman ibrar ardens to connect ith other plant lo ers and also admire, learn abo t, and purchase unique plants.
Hibiscus Show and Sale
Chrysanthemum Show
Camellia Week
Ikebana Show
Clivia Show and Sale
Bromeliad Show and Sale
Fuchsia Show and Sale
Bonsai Show
Carnivorous Plants Show and Sale
Plant-O-Rama! Plant Sale
Hibiscus and Plumeria Show and Sale
Begonia Plant Show and Sale
SPRING GARDEN ART FAIRE
Sherman ibrar ardens’ ol nteer ssociation hosted local artists hose or s ha e been inspired b Sherman’s bea ti l gardens n addition to artists painting throughout the gardens, the e ent o ered art classes, children’s cra ts, and an interactive community art project.
NEWPORT BEACH SUMMER GARDEN PARTY
Attended by more than 300 supporters, the sold-out soiree raised more than $77,000 to fund Sherman ibrar ardens’ Habitat plorer rogram, hich pro ides ree field trips to Sherman ardens or st dents at ’s p blic elementar schools, partic larl in lo income areas he part incl ded Sherman’s traditional hat contest and a ashion displa co rtes o So th oast la a
3,500+ hours
Sherman staff spent making holiday magic
NIGHTS OF 1000 LIGHTS
Sherman ibrar ardens’ ann al holida celebration spanned 13 magical evenings in ecember ests e perienced a da ling displa of lights, carnival games and live entertainment. The displays evoked creative locations from the beloved board game Candyland, including the olasses S amp, ollipop oods, and mdrop o ntains isits ith Santa, s’mores b the fire pit, and hand ritten ishes on the ishing ree rounded out the holiday festivities.
Sherman is delighted to host to e ents rom the ollo ing partners Baroque Music Festival of Corona del Mar orona del ar esident’s ssociation orona del ar Historical Societ
. e port each o ndation e port each olice o ndation
. range o nt Historical Societ orona del ar and e port each hambers o ommerce
Grow the Gardens
A community comes together to plant the seeds for a garden renaissance
he ro the ardens apital ampaign is a once in a generation opport nit to trans orm a hidden comm nit asset into a orld class botanical garden filled ith ni e garden displa s, collections o rich history, and educational and artistic experiences. With annual attendance increasing by over 50% in the last e ears, the o tdated acilities and c rrent camp s do not meet the comm nit s gro ing demands o r donation to ro the ardens ill reconfig re Sherman’s in rastr ct re and increase capacity and programming by more than 25%. Sherman Library & Gardens is the vital link that connects o r comm nit and organi ational partners ith ibrant programs and e ents ro the ardens is an investment in your community that cannot be delayed.
enefits to t e comm nit
ne bell to er entrance ill create a elcoming rontage that allo s the comm nit to en o the bea t o the gardens rom acific oast High a , hile highlighting the historical rele ance of the property.
The tropical conservatory and the shade house, both used extensively in the education programs and lo ed b the comm nit , ill be reno ated to protect the health o the al able orchid collections.
o ing the resta rant to acific oast High a ill allo or increased dining opport nities, hile pro iding Sherman ith dedicated space or ed cational and comm nit e ents se en da s a ee , rain or shine
The goal is simple but ambitious: to create the most beautiful, accessible, and impactful botanical garden in Southern California
GROW THE GARDENS GOES PUBLIC
Sherman ibrar ardens as pro d to ic o the p blic phase o its ro the ardens campaign at a special event in May. At its Secrets of the Garden Revealed affair, guests spent an enchanting evening in the garden here renderings o the redesigned space ere n eiled
“Our family is honored to be a part of such an important milestone in the history of Sherman Library & Gardens and our community. The iconic destination has so much history and beauty to offer throughout the seasons, and we are inspired to see the improvements take place which will allow more patrons to fully enjoy all that the property has to offer.”
Invest in your community!
Please reach out to Scott LaFleur or Alex Anderson for a private tour and to learn more about naming opportunities. scott@slgardens.org alex@slgardens.org
“Sherman Library & Gardens, growing and blooming as is modeled by the many beautiful plants the gardens contain. This hidden gem deserves to be discovered and enjoyed by many, and this next phase opens the door to that renaissance perfectly. Congratulations to the team!”
Learn more and pledge your support to Grow the Gardens
e perience thesherman org don gtg gro the gardens
Erin Samueli Board of Directors, Samueli Foundation
Anton Segerstrom
2024 Financial Report
hro gho t the iscal ear , hich spans rom ctober , , to September , 2024, Sherman Library & Gardens maintained a balanced approach to both revenue and e pendit res, ens ring the contin ed operation and maintenance o the acilit hile also expanding its outreach and support to the surrounding communities. Sherman Library ardens is pleased to report that o e penses ere directed to ard enhancing program ser ices that directl benefit the comm nit s the organi ation loo s to the t re, its oc s remains on gro ing membership, ann al contrib tions, planned gi ts, and sponsorships his increased financial bac ing is essential or ostering a s stainable and robust operating budget that supports the continued expansion of educational programs, events, and community resources.
Your generous donations are carefully managed, with 92% of expenses dedicated to supporting staff, programs, and events. We invite you to further support Sherman Library & Gardens by becoming a member, sponsoring an event, or making a philanthropic contribution.
Your Support
Sherman ibrar ardens is grate l or e er gi t o philanthropic s pport he ollo ing represents donors ho made donations or pledges o , or more bet een October 1, 2023 and September 30, 2024. This represents philanthropic support of both ann al gi ing as ell as the ro the ardens campaign er e ort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this list. All inquiries regarding philanthropic support can be directed to Alex Anderson, director of philanthropy.
$100,000+
Anonymous
B.J. Enright
ichaela and e a r
Betty Sisemore
$50,000 - $99,999
Julia Banning
Judy and Dan Daniels
Peter W. Mullin Family Charitable Foundation
$25,000 - $49,999 a ma and obert ha e
Donald Slavik Family Foundation
Herbert ootbaar nd
Johann Jonas
Judy Posnikoff
Keiko Sakamoto and Bill Witte
$10,000 - $24,999
Argyros Family Foundation
Barbara Belveal and and e ro n
Donna and Arthur Carter in Hee heresa hang
Christy Rosen
So th oast la a ndria and eter Strelo
$5,000 - $9,999
Diane and Dennis Baker
Julia Clevenger and Brad Avery obin lo
Dave Coolidge
William Corkett
Donna DiBari
Marian and Kevin Drum ec and ill Hallada atricia Hatha a Herbert amil o ndation osephine Herbert leis o ndation
Andy Kempler and Brandon Vu
Marilyn Macy-Green
Kim Smith
ebbie and d ard Ste ens icole and osh Strathman
Your Support
$1,000 - $4,999
Char and Michael Armstrong
Joan and Donald Beall
H la and ichard ertea
Trudi Bonnet
Claudine and Paul Burnett
Catherine and John Campbell
Diane and Richard Cannon
Terry Causey
Bobbi Cox
Barbara and Thomas Davis
Michelle and Timothy Dean
Sandy Fainbarg
rt and o ood in
Stephen Hampson and Harold oopo it
aralo Harrington
m and het Harrison
obert Has ell
isa Holte
Jannette and Samuel Ingardia
Lauren Kleiman
Jenny Klein
Katherine Lam
Shannon Lamb and Steve Carlson
Mikey Lares
Dorothy Larson
Diane and Brent Liljestrom
Barbara and Greg MacGillivray
Karen and Jonathan McCulley
Gretchen and Dick Miller
Mathe Mosny
Pam and Alex Munro am and im ill el e and ichard r c enn and illiam eill
Patricia and Bill Podlich
Fernand Poitras
Dorothy Ray
Sue and Alan Reed
Carol and John Richards
Mimi and Richard Riley
Victoria Rosselli
Linda and Robert San Miguel
Ron Sarabi
Sherry and Michael Schulman
ath and en Sch ar
Donna and Walter Sebring
Jean and Evan Siegel
Marsha and Bill Simmons
Kent Snyder at and ill S an
Barbara and Peter Templeton
Virginia Templeton
Clarence Turner
Julie Ann and Jim Ulcickas
David White
Corky and Bob Winters
Emilia Yin and Emmanuel Sharef
Gayle and Rob Yraceburu
Sherman Society Members
Char and Michael Armstrong a ma and obert ha e
Diane and Dennis Baker
Joan and Donald Beall
H la and ichard ertea
Trudi Bonnet
Catherine and John Campbell
Diane and Richard Cannon
Donna and Arthur Carter
Terry Causey
Beverly Cohen
William Corkett
Bobbi Cox
Barbara and Thomas Davis
Stephen Hampson and Harold oopo it
aralo Harrington
obert Has ell
Andy Kempler and Brandon Vu
Jenny and Bill Klein
Katherine Lam
Shannon Lamb and Steve Carlson
Dorothy Larson
Diane and Brent Liljestrom
Karen and Jonathan McCulley
Gretchen and Dick Miller
Pam and Alex Munro am and im ill el e and ichard r c
