Morris Arboretum & Gardens: A Legacy of Horticulture and Education

Nestled in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia, the Morris Arboretum & Gardens of the University of Pennsylvania stands as a testament to the vision and dedication of siblings John and Lydia Morris. Originally their private estate named Compton, it has evolved into a renowned arboretum and public garden, serving as a center for research, education, and horticultural display. With a rich history spanning over a century, the Morris Arboretum & Gardens continues to inspire and educate visitors with its diverse plant collections, historic landscape, and commitment to environmental sustainability.

From Private Estate to Public Garden

The story of the Morris Arboretum & Gardens begins in 1887 when John Thompson Morris (1847-1915) and his sister Lydia Thompson Morris (1849-1932) purchased 67 acres of land in Chestnut Hill. They named their estate Compton and commissioned Theophilus P. Chandler, Jr. to design their Gothic Revival style mansion and carriage house, which were constructed the following year. Over the next quarter century, the Morrises expanded their estate by acquiring several contiguous properties and transforming the grounds into a picturesque landscape with classic European and Japanese gardens, garden follies, fountains, ponds, and pergolas.

John and Lydia were avid travelers, embarking on eight extended trips overseas and attending seven international expositions between 1881 and 1910. These travels served as inspiration for their garden designs and allowed them to collect a wide range of antiquities and artifacts to furnish their homes. Many of these items were later donated to the School of Industrial Art at the Pennsylvania Museum of Art, the University of Pennsylvania’s Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, or the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society.

From the beginning, John and Lydia envisioned Compton as a future public garden and educational institution. John, in particular, was interested in growing plants from around the world, including those collected in China by E. H. Wilson around 1900. They meticulously planned their garden to combine art and science, preserving various trees, flowers, and other flora.

Upon John's death in 1915, the estate was placed in trust to Lydia, with the understanding that Compton would eventually become a botanical garden and school for horticulturists. Lydia continued to cultivate the grounds until her death in 1932, when she bequeathed the property to the University of Pennsylvania. This marked the transition from private estate to public garden, and Compton was renamed the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania.

A New Chapter: Transition to University Administration

The official opening of the Morris Arboretum to the public took place in June 1933, eighteen months after Lydia Morris's death. The event was met with great enthusiasm, with The Philadelphia Bulletin reporting that 10,000 visitors enjoyed the Morris on that first day. Maurice Bower Saul, a Trustee of the University of Pennsylvania and Lydia’s secretary, played a key role in handing over the key to Compton to University President Thomas S. Gates.

With the University of Pennsylvania taking over, the focus shifted from an aesthetic landscape garden to a research and collections-based Arboretum. Dr. Rodney H. True was appointed as the first director, and specialists in plant diseases, ecology, and physiology were hired. Dr. John M. Fogg, who later became director, was hired as a taxonomist, and the staff prioritized cataloging the species of plants.

The Morris Arboretum Bulletin, published monthly from 1935 to the 1970s, is available online at the Biodiversity Heritage Library, offering valuable insights into the Arboretum's early years.

A Storied Landscape: Key Features and Design

The Morris Arboretum & Gardens is set within a mature landscape primarily designed in the English park style, with notable Japanese influences. Winding paths and streams meander through the grounds, leading visitors to discover a swan pond, formal rose gardens, and sweeping displays of azaleas, rhododendrons, and magnolias.

Several distinctive structures add to the Arboretum's charm and historical significance:

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Fernery (1899): An 8-sided glass house, believed to be the only remaining free-standing Victorian fernery in North America.
Log Cabin (1911): Built as a private retreat for Lydia Morris.
Mercury Loggia (1913): Constructed to commemorate the Morrises’ 25th anniversary at Compton.
Step Fountain
Swan Pond

Sadly, the Compton mansion, once a prominent feature of the estate, was demolished in 1968.

A Living Collection: Plants and Trees

The Morris Arboretum is home to a diverse collection of scientifically documented plants, which began in the late 1800s. Today, the Arboretum boasts more than 11,000 labeled plants of over 2,500 types, representing the temperate floras of North America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. Many of these plants were collected by John and Lydia Morris during their travels around the world.

The Arboretum's historic Asian collection is particularly noteworthy, with plants collected in China by E.H. Wilson in the late 1800s and early 1900s forming its foundation. Other significant collections include native azaleas, conifers, hollies, magnolia species, maples, roses, and witchhazels.

The Arboretum has identified 15 trees in its collection as outstanding specimens, including:

Abies cephalonica
Abies holophylla
Acer buergerianum
Aesculus flava
Cedrus libani var. atlantica 'Glauca'
Cercidiphyllum japonicum
Fagus sylvatica f. pendula
Metasequoia glyptostroboides
Pinus bungeana
Platanus × hispanica
Quercus alba
Tsuga canadensis f. "Compton"

Renewal and Growth: The Modern Era

The 1970s marked a period of significant change and renewal for the Morris Arboretum. In 1972, Dr. F. Otto Haas assumed the position of Chair of the Advisory Board, and in 1977, Dr. William M. Klein, Jr. was appointed as the Arboretum’s first full-time Director. Under their leadership, a comprehensive renewal program was launched in tandem with the University’s institution-wide plan for the 1980s.

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The goal of the renewal program was to "renew and endow the Arboretum’s most precious assets and to develop a standard of excellence for those features that are fundamental to its original design and purpose as a university and public institution, as set forth by Lydia T. Morris."

Operational changes included assigning horticultural staff to specific areas of responsibility and implementing a comprehensive policy for the collection of shrubs and trees. These changes, along with the support of grants and a partnership with the landscape planning firm Andropogon Associates, helped the Arboretum take significant steps toward renewal.

The Archives: Preserving the Past

The Morris Arboretum & Gardens Archives was established in 1987 to acquire, conserve, and catalog one-of-a-kind documents, letters, maps, architectural blueprints, landscape drawings, financial ledgers, diaries, lantern slides, photos, and negatives. The Archives serves the Morris education, development, horticulture, and marketing staff, and is also open to qualified researchers by appointment.

Finding aids for several Morris collections are available online at Philadelphia Area Archives, hosted by the University of Pennsylvania Libraries. Additional Morris family papers can be found at the Hagley Museum & Library in Wilmington, Delaware, and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

A Hub for Research and Education

Today, the Morris Arboretum & Gardens is recognized as the official arboretum of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It serves as an interdisciplinary resource center of the University of Pennsylvania, offering a wide range of educational programs and research opportunities.

The Arboretum's staff and researchers are actively involved in plant conservation, sustainable landscape management, and urban forestry. They also conduct research on plant diseases, pests, and environmental stressors.

The Arboretum's education programs cater to a diverse audience, including children, students, and adults. These programs include guided tours, workshops, lectures, and special events.

A Place of Beauty and Inspiration

Beyond its scientific and educational contributions, the Morris Arboretum & Gardens is a place of beauty, peace, and inspiration. Visitors can escape the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse themselves in the tranquility of the Arboretum's gardens and woodlands.

The Arboretum's ever-changing displays of rare and beautiful plants and trees offer a visual feast throughout the year. Whether it's the vibrant colors of spring blossoms, the lush greenery of summer foliage, the fiery hues of autumn leaves, or the serene beauty of winter landscapes, there is always something to captivate the senses.

Looking to the Future

In 2023, ninety years after it first opened to the public, the Arboretum celebrated this important milestone by unveiling a new name - Morris Arboretum & Gardens - a refreshed brand, and a renewed emphasis on colorful plantings in its horticultural displays.

Today, Morris Arboretum & Gardens is leading the way in the 21st century by implementing best practices for environmental sustainability and preservation in landscape management and horticulture, as well as through its renowned education and research programs. The Arboretum remains committed to its founders' vision of creating a public garden and educational institution that inspires a love of nature and promotes environmental stewardship.

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