Part
of the Rose Garden is a museum about the famous Rose Festival that happens
every October. In this museum were the dresses from the past year's pageant and
the crowns from all the festivals.
The year was 1933. Most of the country was in the
grips of the Great Depression, but even then, Tyler was different. Thanks to
the Oil Boom, the local economy was growing and thriving, and civic leaders had
reason to celebrate. A group of women in the Tyler Garden Club created a plan
to focus attention on the importance of the rose industry to the Tyler area,
while also showcasing the town's elegance and beauty. Enlisting the help of
local rose growers, the Chamber of Commerce and others, they organized the
first Tyler Rose Festival. Thousands came and spread the word about the lovely
East Texas city where "everything was coming up roses."
As the years passed, the festival became part of
Texas legend. For a state previously known for its cattle, cotton and oil, the
inspiring beauty of its roses was a welcome change. Dignitaries including
governors, presidential candidates, First Ladies and others who visited brought
national attention to Tyler. And the name soon changed from the Tyler Rose
Festival to the Texas Rose Festival.
Members of the Tyler Garden Club are credited with
first promoting the Festival idea in 1933. They enlisted the cooperation of the
local rose growers, the Chamber of Commerce and civic leaders to organize the
first Tyler Rose Festival. Thousands flocked to the Festival and spread the
word about this lovely East Texas community that was literally blanketed with
blooms.
In fact, the first Tyler Rose Festival was planned
to be a showcase for the successful rose industry. A popular feature of the
first Festival was a tour of local rose fields prior to harvest.
The oil boom of the 1930s spared Tyler most of the
effects of the Depression. As a result, this infusion of local wealth gave the
early Rose Festivals an elegance rarely seen in other metropolitan areas.
The Texas Rose Festival has persevered and evolved
into an annual event that attracts thousands of visitors from across the nation
and impacts the local economy with millions in tourist revenue.
