The Arboretum was formerly the estate of John T. (1847-1915) and Lydia T. Morris (1849-1932), a brother and sister who purchased and landscaped much of the arboretum's current site beginning in 1887. John Morris was interested in growing plants from around the world, including those collected in China by E. H. Wilson around 1900, and many of today's specimens date to Morris' original plantings. The estate became a public arboretum in 1933, after Lydia Morris' death.[2]
The arboretum is set within a fine, mature landscape, primarily designed in the English park style but with Japanese influences. It includes winding paths and streams, a swan pond, formal rose gardens, and large sweeps of azaleas, rhododendrons, and magnolias. Notable aspects of the arboretum are as follows:
"Compton" (Lydia & John Thompson Morris mansion), (1887-88, demolished 1968), by Theophilus Parsons Chandler Jr., architect. The grounds are now the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania.
Fernery (1899) - an 8-sided glass house said to be the only remaining free-standing Victorian fernery in North America. Morris "hired Japanese garden makers Kushibiki and Arai to arrange one hundred tons of local Wissahickon schist into rockery formations resembling a cave or mountain cliff accented by delicate waterfalls, a flowing stream bed, and a goldfish pond."[3] He ordered his ferns from London experts William and John Birkenhead and botanically grouped and labelled the 523 fern and 47 Selaginella (club moss) varieties.
Garden railway - G scaletrains and trolley cars running on 45 mm track (1¾"), and representing railroads throughout history, including freight and passenger models.
Greenhouse - closed to the public; little now remains of Morris' original structure.
Hillcrest Pavilion - Restrooms, drinking fountains, and picnic benches with Hillcrest Avenue running behind it (hence the name).
Japanese Overlook (1912) - a hybrid of English rock garden with Japanese garden, landscaped with fudo stones, stone lanterns, and Japanese maples, conifers, and smaller acid-loving plants.
Japanese Hill and Water Garden (1905) - Tsukiyama-niwa style garden with hills, rocks, water, trees, bridges, paths, shrines and lanterns.
Key Fountain - Key-Shaped decorative fountain in English Park
Mercury Loggia and Ravine Garden (1913) - classical loggia housing a sculpture of "Mercury at rest", with grotto and a picturesque rock garden within the valley below.
Meadow Parking Lot - Overflow parking lot located at bottom of the hill.
Oak Alee - walkway lined with oak trees on both sides.
Out on a Limb - metal walkway for close-up view of trees
Pennock Garden - exotic flower garden with large rectangular fountain.
Rose Garden (1888) - a buxus-edged rose garden in four quadrants with a fountain in the middle.
Rock Wall Garden (1924) - alpine plants on a six-foot-high wall.
Swan Pond (1905) - a small lake created by digging and damming the East Brook.
Step Fountain - Staircase-shaped fountain in English Park
Visitor Center & Gift Shop - Restrooms, Drinking Fountains, Seasonal Cafe.
Morris Arboretum also owns Springfield Mill, which is located opposite the main entrance. The grist mill has been restored and is open to the public once a month for grinding demonstrations.
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