MOrris of the University of An Idea Whose Time Has come

Foreward The 50th Anniversary of the found- ing of the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania and its opening to the public provides an opportunity to explore the continuing relationships between the Arboretum and the University. To that end, a Po- sition Paper was prepared in February of 1982 and presented to the Advisory Board of Managers. Its purpose was to describe the ways in which The Morris Arboretum contributes to University goals.The Advisory Board of Managers at their May meeting endorsed the directions outlined in that paper, and a number of new initiatives have been taken to implement the objectives. Since these discussions have been of consuming interest to the Advisory Board and staff for the past six months, I thought it was time that we drew from this Position Paper to highlight some of the implications of our existence as a University institution. For the Uni- versity, the Morris Arboretum offers important resources for teaching and research and significant educational and cultural links with the city and the region. For the Arboretum, the associ- ation with the University enriches, gives depth, and endows the institution with great promise for the future.

(Cover) Japanese dating to the time of the Morrises, one of many fine specimens at the Arboretum, provides invaluable information on the adaptability of exotic plants to the Delaware Valley. (Left) A brace of Royal Swans on review at the Arboretum's Swan Pond; a gift from Ottawa first capital of Canada to on the 300th Anniversary of the founding of the city. (Right) A winter wonderland, "The native woodlands along the Wissahickon Creek are a living link with our natural landscape."

The Morris Arboretum: The first phase is now well launched provide the biologists and horticulturists and we can report substantial progress with the ideal spaces to study plants An Idea Whose Time in restoring the magnificent lands to under controlled conditions. It is in this theirformer grace and beauty.The Arbo- area that the new , head- Has Come retum's 175 acres include natural wood- houses and research laboratories will land, meadow, and landscaped gardens be constructed in phase II of the long- '.. the custodianship of a great with dramatic views, a mature collection range plans. university give promise that of , and a wonderful arrayof natural The historic gardens are now being and constructed water features. The restored to reveal the Victorian world Philadelphia is to have an arbo- Morris Arboretum represents an irre- view and explore its on the land- retum comparable to the cele- impact placeable asset for the University and scape of today. Already gardens are brated Arnold Arboretum, in the community where the story of 300 being reshaped, and five ofthe classical Boston; the Royal Botanic Garden years of the evolution of landscape in architectural features have been reno- at Kew, England; and the other Pennsylvania can be presented to vated.As a cultural institution, the Arbo- notable arboreta and botanic the public. retum is an outstanding example of the The native woodlands the eclectic of the world...' along style Victorian gardens, gardens throughout Wissahickon Creek are a living link with designed to delight as well as educate our natural landscape. These rapidly the visitor. habitats should be The has also The Morris Arboretum celebrates disappearing pre- Arboretum developed served for study and for future gener- new facilities to its its 50th Anniversary with a sense support programs. great ations to enjoy. But as a University The former Morris Mansion of optimism. Carriage arboretum we must go beyond steward- House has been renovated as the new After its early years as a research ship of our open spaces. We must George D. Widener Education Center facility for University botanists, it has search for better methods of mending and construction has on a new now developed ties with many Uni- begun and renewing the fabric of the land- Grounds and Center, which versity departments and serves as an Nursery scape in which we live. We must offer will provide the educational resource for both graduate necessary training our insights to each new generation facilities for the horticulture and undergraduate students in a depart- of students and to the public ment. The next phase of number of University programs. At the development if we are to preserve this legacy for will concentrate on research same time, it has become a partner in expanding future generations. facilities to complement the initiatives exciting new developments to strengthen The former pastures of the estate, in the plant sciences being undertaken the plant-sciences in the Biology from which the Arboretum was created, in the Biology Department. Department. form the will After five decades, the Arboretum working landscape. They is also beginning to realize some of its potential as a public arboretum. Its many new programs for the University and the Philadelphia community carry out the original intent of its founders, John and Lydia Morris, and make sig- nificant contributions to the University's stated goals of increasing educational outreach programs and strengthening ties to the city and the region. This development has taken place as part of the Arboretum's long-range plans, first adopted by the Advisory Board of Managers in February of 1978. This three-phase program in- cludes the following: I. Restoration and Renewal - 1978-1983; II. Expansion of Research Facilities - 1984-1986; Ill. Expansion of Public Facilities - 1987-1990.

1. From the 39 page illustrated booklet published by the University of Pennssylvania in 1933 announcing the opening of the Morris Arbo- retum to the public.

The Research Mission several areas. Our current projects in- government agencies, and the National clude a $95,000 contract with the De- Park Service. Contracts and grants, in- partment of Environmental Resources cidentally, have grown from 11 percent "The Arboretum, however, can- to revive studies of the Flora of Penn- to about 27 percent of the operating not be of the maximum service sylvania. A computer accessed retrieval budget over the past five years. system for Edgar Wherry's plant col- research are to a show- Exciting possibilities humanity by being lection index, which includes over 8,000 also awaiting The Morris Arboretum as place alone or a place for the entries, was developed. And last Spring we combine resources with the Uni- dissemination of information to we launched field studies on the rare versity Biology Department in the de- and of the eastern the general public, worthy as endangered species velopmentof the Plant Science Institute. half of the state. Our Curator returned The Institutewill these purposes are. Its public bring together scientists last October from a collecting trip in from several departments of the Uni- services are founded upon Sichuan, and Korea with over versity and the Arboretum to explore the a substantial of program scien- 400 collections of seed. In cooper- basic problems of plant science using tific research."2 ation with several sister institutions, we modern technologies. As part of these are progagating plants from these col- plans, the Biology Department has ap- lections to expand our stocks of trees pointed two new faculty members, who A research program is central to and shrubs for urban parks and will be establishing research projects the existence of a University arboretum. gardens. Our Plant Pathologist has on the Arboretum grounds. With the When the University took on the adminis- also been involved in studies to better promise of such new techniques as in tration of the Arboretum 50 years ago, understand why some plants thrive genetic engineering and the growth of one of its first acts was to establish a cities while others decline. plant cells in tissue culture, public and laboratory in the Morris Mansion. Bo- In addition to these botanical in- private funding sources are finallywilling tanical research at the Arboretum has vestigations, our scientific staff, working to reverse a trend away from the support since continued and contributed sig- with the Superintendent of Grounds, of plant science. Thus plant scientists nificantly to the University's tradition in are experimenting with new management at the University and the Arboretum will botany, which dates to 1768 when Penn- schemes and maintenance programs have new resources to pursue their sylvania was the first University in for urban parks and gardens. This ap- research. America to appoint a professor of plied research has been done under As part of the Institute, Arboretum natural history. contract from private interest groups, scientists will contribute to a balanced Over the past few years, we have corporations, schools (including the program with research on naturally been expanding research activities in University of Pennsylvania), local occurring patterns of genetic variation,

(Top) The Arboretum's collection is a celebration of the diver- sity of the world of plants and includes such elegant specimens as Enklanthus serrulatus which the Arbo- (Top) return promotes for wider use in the area Dr. Ann F Rhoads, Plant Pathologist and fieldbotanist, heads the state's survey (Right) of rare and endangered plants foreastern The publication of the Atlas of the Flora of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania in addition to hermany other by the Arboretum in 1979 culminated more than 35 years responsibilities as teacher, researcher, of research; Dr. William Klein, Director, presentedcopies consultant, and editor of the newsletter. to the late authors, Dr. Edgar Wherry (left) and Dr. John bi-monthly M. Fogg. 4

an important point of reference for studies of variations created in the laboratory. The Arboretum's current study of rare and endangered species and its work in producing the Atlas of Flora of Pennsylvania will form a basis for new studies of variation in natural systems. This could become an in- creasingly important source of genetic information for plant improvement and development of organisms better able to resist environmental stress. The Arboretum will also offer the Institute faculty and students field laboratories in which to carry on their research. The Arboretum's next step, the second phase of its long-range plan, is to renovate an existing building as a research laboratory and add green- houses and other facilities to ac- commodate the newdemands thatwill be created bythe Plant Science Institute and the increased research activity at the Arboretum.

2.From the 39 page booklet produced in 1933 on the occasion of the opening of the Morris Arboretum to the public.

(Right) Collecting seed from a Larch in Korea, the Arboretum's Curator, Paul W Meyer, has travelled widely since 1979 in Korea, Taiwan, and China in search of trees and shrubs adapted to the conditions of this area.

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Contributions to for majors in the Design of the Environ- A better understanding of our ment, Environmental Studies, Natural vegetational resources is intimately Undergraduate and Sciences and Urban Studies. related to the quality of life and will Graduate Education Graduate students also draw on the have as great an impact on a physician, Arboretum's resources. TheArboretum's a lawyer, ora business personas it does Curator has worked with a doctoral on the biologist. We need to mobilize "The Morris Arboretum at its candidate in Oriental Studies on Chi- the information contained in collections birth was a nese materia medica. A plant list of at The Morris Arboretum and other very full-fledged medicinal herbs is natural collections with the botanic The being developed history ap- garden. University that will eventually serve as the basis plication of modern technology. We of Pennsylvania, which was, it is for a major exhibit at the Arboretum. A also need to develop data bases which said, the first university in this master's student in the School of will expand our knowledge of these country to have a department Architecture developed her thesis topic natural systems. The development of of has, as it builds around the Center for Urban Forestry our natural resources can not proceed botany, upon and the reuse of the barn at this new foundation, adaptive safely without a greater understanding potentiali- Bloomfield. And the Curator and Plant of the environmental costs. We need ties in this field such as few Pathologist have served as guest lec- better handles on environmental trade- educational institutions have turers in a variety of graduate courses offs and theoptions we maybe removing everbeen given at a single time;"3 and seminars.While the grounds of the for future generations. Arboretum are used regularly to teach These decisions will require know- plant materials to landscape architects. ledgeable citizens.Theywill also require in The University of Pennsylvania, has Senior studio courses Architecture high quality students who can advance a responsibility to educate citizens have designed home demonstration our understanding of biological systems with an awareness of science and the gardens planned for 1985. These studio and help apply that knowledge to the courses utilize the environment so that they can address Arboretum because planning and development of our re- the many perplexing questions that of the extensive documentation that sources. The Morris Arboretum will be exists the of technology will raise in the coming through development long a helpful ally in the resurgence of plant decades. In this regard, the Arboretum range plans. Arboretum staff participate science and at the same time stands has much to contribute. on the critiquing panels. In addition, ready to be tapped for significant con- As a site for field trips and seminars, the staff have served on graduate and tributions to Pennsylvania's other the Arboretum is serving a number of visiting committees in neighboring in- undergraduate and graduate programs undergraduate programs. Students stitutions of Rutgers, Swarthmore, in areas ranging from regional planning and the to law and taking geology, soils, aquatic biology, Temple University, University medicine. and systematics, walk the grounds, of Delaware. wade the streams, and take something The Arboretum's major contri- in 3. From the 39 booklet in 1933 of this magnificent landscape with them. butions the future will remain in the page produced on the occasion of the of the Morris It should be noted that the use of the field of biology and the application of opening Arboretum to the public. Arboretum's grounds has not been biological information to land-use restricted to the sciences. The Wharton planning. But it reaches outfar beyond the School's LEAD Program, for example, biological sciences into all areas has held their wrap-up session on the of the curriculum. In many ways, we believe the in grounds of the Arboretum for the past potential undergraduate two years. A pre-freshman orientation and graduate education is only begin- session for 150 students was also held ning to be realized. at the Arboretum this past September. Maintaining Penn as a "universityof choice" will require strong and well- balanced undergraduate programs in the biological sciences.While molecular biology will remain thefocus foryears to come, attention must also be directed to building strong courses in organismal and population biology. Plant science (Right) will become increasingly important to Sir Peter Shepheard (left), Professor of the University's students since it is where Architecture and Environmental Design, demand fortrained scientists industry's and a member of the Arboretum's Design exceeds the current supply. Review Committee, leadsagroupof students As a member of the Biology Depart- from the School of Fine Arts andtheirfamilies ment, the Director teaches a course in on a tour of the grounds. Plant Systematics and advises students (Far Right) who have an interest in the plant Students in Dr. Klein's Plant Systematics sciences. Other members of the Arbo- course explored Pennsylvania's native flora retum staff are also contributors regular this fall with laboratory assistant with lectures and tours of the ground Ann Newbold. 6

Outreach Program is its exhibits. Each successful in placing practically all of Educational Outreach year we have a major exhibit in the the people trained in the unsubsidized Philadelphia Flower Show, which is job market. Two of our CETA employees school and are the preservation, upkeep visited by more than 200,000 people. have returned to pre- "i.. This we coordinated the Show's to become horti- and maintenance as a public year, paring professional feature exhibit, of culturists. of "Changing Images park or arboriturn (sic), my the Garden: 300 Years of Horticulture Three years ago, we initiated an countryplace known as 'Cornp in the Delaware Valley," through a col- Internship Program under a three-year ton' in Philadelphia, and my laborative program directed by The grant from the William Penn Foundation. countryplace known as 'Bloom- Morris Arboretum and involving 31 This program has thus far provided an institutions. A full color, for 27 people field' in Montgomery County.. participating opportunity young 80-page guide, entitled "Gardens and (primarily for students with bachelor's Arboreta of Philadelphia and the and some with master's degrees) to Delaware was enter the of horticulture, The educational outreach activities Valley," published professions this collaborative. And in urban and edu- are source of to the through May forestry, pathology, a major strength of this this collaborative installed cation. work with Arbo- Arboretum as was envisioned year, They directly today, the first American exhibit in the retum staff, take classroom instruction, when the Arboretum was founded. major Chelsea Flower Show in London, which on field trips, and are involved in These activities will as a go expand larger was attended 250,000 This other which of the wants to by people. experiences, through they segment population exhibit has travelled to Harlow Car insights into the profession. They advance and redirect careers and gain Gardens at Harrogate and the Royal have then gone on to a variety of jobs continue educational pursuits. Botanic Gardens at Edinburgh and Kew. or entered graduate programs. The Morris Arboretum is involved Teacher training is another im- The Arboretum's living collection, in a wide range of outreach programs. portant part of our outreach program. gardens, and landscape also offer Last in 119 year, 2700 people groups We are making the Arboretum more many opportunities for educational the were guided around grounds widely available to teachers and en- outreach into the profession. We have through ourtour program managed by couraging them to use our resources developed seminars, consultation the Coordinator of Visitor Services. In for a wide range of courses. For the programs, and field days for area horti- additon, 52 courses were offered past two years, a grant from the Phila- culturists, arborists, and nurserymen. through our Education Department with delphia Foundation has supported We see these as a major part of our an enrollment of 631 people. These efforts of our Education Department to education activities to help raise the courses are advertised primarily carry programs into three neighborhood standard of gardener training and the through our Membership Program public schools. design of open spaces. Funding for which has grown to over 2,000. The Several years ago, we launched a these outreach programs has come Arboretum staff are also on call to give program with Fairmount Park to train from a variety of sources: federal and lectures, conduct workshops, and par- their CETA workers. We had made a local government, foundations, business- ticipate in symposia throughout commitment to do what we could to es, and individuals. the region. address the problems of chronic un- As a university Arboretum, we A significant part of the Arboretum's employment in Philadelphia and were should be exploring ways of using informal education as conduit into t degree and certification programs. Thus, we are now beginning to develop stronger links with the College of General Studies and the Graduate School of Education. Such an approach will move our programs closer to the main- stream of University education. The Morris Arboretum, like other University cultural institutions, has the potential to develop educational materi- als for mass marketing.This is a possi- bility that we are eager to study. Living in a high technolgy society, we cannot afford apublic thatdoes not understand the contributions that science makes to our lives and the burgeoning costs of scientific research. Positive attitudes toward science can be encouraged in the informal modes of communication such as those available at The Morris Arboretum.

4. From the Will of Lydia Thompson Morris, ad- mitted to probate on January 30, 1932. 7

Toward the Next 50 The qualityof life in Philadelphia is greatly influenced by the magnificent gardens, open spaces, and parks. Many of these come down to us as legacies of the 19th Century. Victorians such as John and Lydia Morris em- braced the humanizing values of parks and gardens and had an unshakable belief in scientific pursuits as a means of improving the lot of humankind. During the 300th Anniversary of the founding of this great city and the 50th Anniversary of The Morris Arboretum as a University institution, it is not enough that we merely take a glance back at a great tradition. We must ask ourselves what we are doing to preserve that legacy for future generations. Philadelphia deserves a world class Arboretum. The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania was established to be just such an insti- tution. It is a place where the arts and sciences come together to contribute to the academic life of a great Uni- versityand enrich public understanding of the plant world. It is a preserve, a quiet retreat, and a scientific laboratory where we struggle to define our relation- ship with our environment. The Morris Arboretum of the University of Penn- sylvania is an Idea whose time has come. -

William M. Klein Director

visitor information: Gardens: Open seven days a week, Map Showing Access to the Morris Arboretum. winter hours 10:00a.m.to4:00 p.m., public entrance off Hillcrest Avenue between Germantown and Sten- ton Avenues. Admission: $1.00 for adults and 50 for children.

Guided Tours: For groups by prior arrangement through Visitor Services.

Membership Information: Avail- able through the Membership Secretary. MOMS Arboretum For additional information call of the Unty of Penns'jlvania during working hours 247-5777. On weekends call 242-3399. 9414 Meadcmbrock f*ie. Pflhla. Pa. 19118 8