Arnold Arboretum

Arnold Arboretum is a research facility and national landmark in Jamaica Plain, Boston, covering roughly 281 acres with more than 15,000 plant species from North America and eastern Asia. The collection grows in naturalized areas organized by marked trails and slopes, with Peters Hill providing an elevated viewpoint.

Frederick Law Olmsted and Charles Sprague Sargent designed the grounds starting in 1872 as North America's first public botanical garden under Harvard University management. Ernest Henry Wilson led collecting expeditions to Asia between 1899 and 1919, bringing back many specimens that still grow here.

The name honors James Arnold, a merchant from New Bedford whose bequest made the founding possible. Visitors today see school groups on botanical walks and researchers recording bloom times and growth patterns.

The grounds open daily without admission fees and offer marked paths and guided tours spread across the entire site. Visiting in spring reveals flowering trees and shrubs, while autumn days highlight the colorful foliage that paints the slopes.

The Hunnewell Building houses rotating art exhibitions on botanical themes and a specialized horticultural library. The rooms connect artistic representations with research collections and offer a quiet space for both researchers and visitors to reflect.

Location: Boston

Inception: 1872

Founders: Frederick Law Olmsted

Official opening: 1872

Website: http://arboretum.harvard.edu

GPS coordinates: 42.29778,-71.12278

Latest update: December 20, 2025 00:42