Charles Barney Harding records

Charles Barney Harding was born on September 11, 1899 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated from West Point, although he served in the U.S. Navy in World War II. Harding joined Chas. D. Barney & Co. in 1922, becoming a partner in 1925. He later became a partner at the successor firm, Smith, Barney & Co., in 1938 and senior partner in 1944. Harding was appointed Chairman and President of the firm in 1964, retiring in December of that year and becoming a member of the Advisory Board.

Harding’s involvement with the Garden began in 1946 when he was elected to the Board of Managers. A year later, he was named Vice President of the Board. In 1949, Harding became President of the Board of Managers, a position he held for 21 years.

During his time as President of the Board, "the endowment of the Garden increased from approximately $2,500,000 to approximately $9,500,000, the membership of the Garden increased from approximately 1,300 persons to in excess of 6,000 persons, three new buildings, the Watson Building, the Harriet Barnes Pratt Library wing, and a laboratory, subsequently named the Charles B. Harding Laboratory, were erected and the Snuff Mill was restored, the Cary Arboretum was acquired, an affiliation was established with CUNY strengthening the graduate education program and a retirement plan was negotiated for certain employees of the Garden." (Resolution, Regular Meeting, Board of Managers, Jan. 9, 1980.)

In recognition of his contributions to the Garden, Harding was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in 1964. In 1970, when the title of Executive Director was changed to President, Harding's title was updated to Board Chairman. Four years later, he announced his retirement from the role of Chairman but continued to serve as an Honorary Member until his death on October 25, 1979, at the age of 80.