Emerald Community Gardens

Opportunity for Davisville Civic Association Member with a "Green Thumb"

By Davisville Civic Association Board

Our neighboring East Falmouth Village Association (EFVA) has requested a volunteer from our association to work with them in establishing the Emerald Community Gardens for its initial 2021 season. If any of you are interested, please email Mary Ellen Alwardt, President of the EFVA, for more information.

In 1995, the Town of Falmouth purchased 4.7 acres of land abutting the East Falmouth Elementary School, which included the “Emerald House” built by Manual Emerald, an immigrant from the Azores, who raised strawberries and turnips on this land and eight acres of land across the street. This was one of the many farmhouses of Portuguese immigrants who settled in Falmouth and became prominent strawberry growers. Well into the 20th century, the Davisville area was one of the largest strawberry producing areas in Massachusetts. In fact, it has been observed that Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church is the “church built by strawberries,” as a result of tithes from those strawberry farmers.

Until 2018, this house was operated as the Falmouth Service Center Thrift Shop.

Members of the East Falmouth Village Association are taking the lead in establishing this Community Garden for planting the spring of 2021. For any of you who are gifted with a “Green Thumb” or who are interested in having a Community Garden for residents of East Falmouth/Davisville, this may have your name on it. If so, please email Mary Ellen Alwardt.

Until 2018, this house was operated as the Falmouth Service Center Thrift Shop. Photo courtesy of Gene Marchand/Enterprise.