Tower Hill Botanic Garden History & FAQ

	History, Governance and FAQ The Worcester County Horticultural Society was incorporated in 1842 as a nonprofit " . . .educational organization for the purpose of advancing the science and encouraging and improving the practice of horticulture . . ." The Worcester County Horticultural Society (WCHS) the third oldest horticultural society in the U.S.A., is the governing nonprofit organization that owns and operates Tower Hill Botanic Garden.	Dr. John Green 1st President of the Worcester County Horticultural Society






	How We Work • WCHS Governance Information List of WCHS 2008 - 2009 Trustees (.pdf) WCHS Bylaws, Revised March, 2003 (.pdf) Tower Hill is pleased to have a strong relationship with theseoutstanding organizations that support our mission.	Discover information about Tower Hill's governance or You can review the milestones and significant events of the Worcester County Horticultural Society and Tower Hill in the timeline below

WCHS & Tower Hill Botanic Garden Milestones & Events
1840 (September 18) WCHS organized	1992 (April 1) New half-mile entrance road, Fuller Drive, opens
1842 (March 3) WCHS incorporated	1992 (September 9) Groundbreaking for the Entry Garden and Stoddard Education and Visitors Center
1846 Society receives its first bequest, $3,000 from Daniel Waldo, one of its founders	1994 (January) Stoddard Education and Visitors Center opens, with a library, classrooms, gift shop, theater, and offices.
1851 1st Horticultural Hall built at 16-20 Front Street, Worcester	1996 (Fall) Parking Lot completed, Entry Garden hardscaping completed.
1861 All exhibitions canceled due to poor growing season (first and only time in Society history)	1997 (Spring) Entry Garden to be planted, entry pavilion will be constructed.
1928 Second Horticultural Hall opened at 30 Elm Street, Worcester	1997 (Fall) Groundbreaking for 4,000 sq. foot Orangerie (glass house) Planned to house temperate plants for winter interest.
1983 Trustees vote to establish a botanic garden	1999 (February 28) Public Opening of Orangerie
1987 Tower Hill designated a Special Environmental Site by the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs of MA	2000 (September 9) Public opening of the Systematic Garden
1988 (September 25) Master Plan for Tower Hill unveiled	2001 Construction of The Folly completed in the Inner Park
1990 (September 16) Lawn Garden and Harrington Orchard dedicated at Tower Hill	2002 Construction of The Hope H. Spear Wildlife Refuge Pond completed
1991 Tower Hill voted the Gold Medal for 1992 for excellence in service to its constituents and for the vision of developing a Botanic Garden,by the MHS	2002 Construction of The Temple of Peace completed in the Inner Park
1992 (March 3) WCHS celebrates its 150th Anniversary	2002 Construction and installation of The Moss Steps completed on the Loop Trail
Continued above, next column	2006 - 2008 Capital Campaign Phase IV fundraising begins and progresses
Tower Hill Botanic Garden Facts Back to Top
132 acres of gardens, meadows and woodland trails with a seasonal display of over 95,000 flowering bulbs	350 varieties of trees and shrubs in the verdant Lawn Garden
119 heirloom apple varieties in the amazing Harrington Orchard	Countless perennials, unique annuals and interesting vegetables in the charming Cottage Garden
Singing birds, colorful butterflies, and native wildlife in their natural habitat in the Wildlife Garden	Accredited by the American Association of Museums and funded in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council
Easily accessible from all major routes in New England	Accredited program (college credit) in Gardening at the New England School of Gardening (NESOG)
A tradition of educational and entertaining annual special events.	NESOG in collaboration with Worcester State College. A wide variety of classes, workshops, lectures for the nonmatriculating gardening enthusiast.