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synopsis

The Arnold Arboretum was founded in 1872 when a portion of James Arnold’s estate was deeded to Harvard College. The arboretum was to be dedicated to the scientific study of plant materials while offering a natural park-like setting to the public. The contingency of the transfer stated that funds would be put towards “the promotion of Agricultural or Horticultural improvements”

The Arnold Arboretum was founded in 1872 when a portion of James Arnold’s estate was deeded to Harvard College. The arboretum was to be dedicated to the scientific study of plant materials while offering a natural park-like setting to the public. The contingency of the transfer stated that funds would be put towards “the promotion of Agricultural or Horticultural improvements”, agreed upon by both the estate’s trustees and Harvard. Co-managed by the City of Boston, Frederick Law Olmsted and Arboretum director Charles Sprague Sargent worked together to establish a 1,000-year lease. Still owned by Harvard University, it allowed the 143-acres to be used as part of the public park system and benefit from general maintenance provided by the city. Discussing the breakdown of the grounds Olmsted wrote “Of this total 13 acres will be occupied by 2.9 miles of road; 16-3/4 acres (in three parcels) are to be set apart for special use of the public; and 13-1/4 will be required for the construction of the proposed parkway, leaving thus 109 acres for the proper purposes of the arboretum.” [FLO to C.H. Dalton_1879-12-03_LOC-OAR-B_00902-im.12] (Plan 902-7). A few years later in 1895, Olmsted designed the Arborway (00901), which runs through the East side of the park, connecting Jamaica Pond (00920) to Franklin Park (00918).

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