Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a 50 acres (200,000 m2), botanical garden in Henrico County, just outside of Richmond, Virginia.[2][3][4] It features over a dozen themed gardens, a conservatory, library, and café. Regular daily admission is $17 for adults, $14 for seniors, $8 for children (age 3–12), under age 3 are free.[5] Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is part of the Museums for All program offering $1 adult admission (free for kids) and $5 annual membership to those with a SNAP/EBT card.[5] Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden also hosts select days, typically July 4 and Labor Day, where admission is free to the community. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden offers an indoor butterfly exhibit Butterflies LIVE!, seasonal exhibitions, art exhibitions, special events and seasonal evening hours with live music. Tours, classes and select special events typically have an additional fee.[6]

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
TypeBotanical
Location1800 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23228
Area50+ acres
Opened1984
CollectionsConservatory, Rose Garden, Children's Garden, Fountain Garden, Asian Garden, Victorian Garden, Woodland Garden, Healing Garden, Children's Garden, Perennial Garden, Edible Display Garden, Kroger Community Kitchen Garden [1]
Websitewww.lewisginter.org

History

Once the "Oughnum" hunting ground of Powhatan Indians, the land was once owned by Virginia Governor Patrick Henry.[7] in 1786. 10 acres (4.0 ha) was purchased in 1884 by Richmond businessman Lewis Ginter where he established the Lakeside Wheel Club,.[8] The club only operated for a few years as the bicycling craze was short lived.

The cycling club and land went unused after Ginter's death in 1897. His niece, Grace Arents, purchased the property from the estate, remodeling and expanding the abandoned cottage used by the club into the Lakeside Sanatorium for Babies in 1912.[9]

The children's convalescent home operated for two years before Arents made it her home, with her companion Mary Garland Smith, calling it Bloemendaal House ("valley of flowers") in honor of the family's Dutch heritage. Adjacent properties were purchased bringing the total size to 73 acres (30 ha) as returned from trips to botanical gardens worldwide with specimens. .[7]

Mary Garland Smith continued to live there after her companion's death in 1926 until her death at age 100 in 1968. Arents willed the property to the city of Richmond with the stipulation that it be developed into a botanical garden honoring her uncle The city used the property as a tree nursery and greenhouse supplying bedding plants for city parks for 13 years while plans to establish a botanical garden were investigated.

In 1981, the non-profit Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden corporation was chartered to finally the botanical garden using funds from the Grace E. Arents Trust. Additional adjacent land was purchased and The Pittsburgh landscape architecture firm of Environmental Planning and Design was hired in 1987 and announced a master plan for the gardens later that year.[10]

The gardens were named among the most beautiful by readers of Conde Nast magazine and USA Today in 2017.[11]

Today

A $41 million capital campaign completed in 2004 provided the garden's major facilities for horticulture, education and community events. Significant structures include The Robins Visitors Center (1999), Massey Greenhouses (1999), Education and Library Complex (2002), classical glass-domed Conservatory (2003), and Children's Garden (2005).

The addition of the Education and Library Complex in October 2002 greatly expanded educational offerings to new, diverse constituencies. A year-long series of educational programs in 2003 introduced the new complex and featured nationally prominent speakers. The series attracted almost 4,000 people from all areas of Richmond and most regions of Virginia, as well as other nearby states. The increased capacity and effectiveness of our educational facilities have generated a 61% increase in registration for the garden's regular adult education programs in the three years since the complex opened.

Virginia Commonwealth University houses its herbarium at LGBG, which the Flora of Virginia project uses in its preparation of a modern state Flora to be published by the University of Virginia Press. In an ongoing collaboration, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Virginia Tech, and the Virginia Nurserymen and Landscape Association have joined forces in a Plant Introduction Program which selects, tests, propagates and distributes to growers and garden centers new or uncommon ornamental plant species which adapt well to Virginia growing conditions.[7][12]

Events

Each year during the winter holidays, Lewis Ginter hosts Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights drawing more than thousands of visitors.[13][14] An exhibit featuring hundreds of live tropical butterflies is hosted during spring, summer and early fall months in the conservatory.[15] Concerts and Easter themed children's activities are offered in the spring.[16]

  • Evening View of the Conservatory
    Evening View of the Conservatory
  • Sunken Garden
    Sunken Garden
  • Bloemendaal House
    Bloemendaal House

See also

References
  1. "Garden Descriptions". Retrieved 2020-03-17.
  2. Sinclair, Melissa Scott (2017-02-14). "I Love Lakeside". Richmond Magazine. Retrieved 2019-04-28.
  3. "Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden". GardenVisit Editorial. Retrieved 10 April 2009.
  4. "Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden". Virginia Is For Lovers. Archived from the original on 27 June 2009. Retrieved 10 April 2009.
  5. "Hours and Admission prices for Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens". Retrieved 2020-03-17.
  6. Centolanza, Brandy. "For a vibrant dose of spring, head to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden". Williamsburg Magazine. Retrieved 2019-04-28.
  7. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden: History
  8. "Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden | Architecture Richmond". architecturerichmond.com. Retrieved 2019-04-28.
  9. Correspondent, Doug Childers/Homes. "Bloemendaal House: A home in a garden". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved 2019-04-28.
  10. Baker (October 15, 1987). "Botanical Garden's Master Plan Unveiled". Henrico County Line.
  11. Ferst, Devra (18 July 2017). "The 9 Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens in the U.S." Condé Nast Traveler. Retrieved 2019-04-28.
  12. Holland, Jonah (1 April 2009). "Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden". WordPress.com. Retrieved 10 April 2009.
  13. Staff reports. "Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden offers $1 admission for low-income families, including to GardenFest of Lights". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved 2019-04-28.
  14. "Dominion GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden". Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Retrieved 2019-04-28.
  15. "Butterflies LIVE! opening weekend celebration at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden". www.henricocitizen.com. Retrieved 2019-04-28.
  16. CAPRARA, COLLETTE. "Celebrate spring at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden". Fredericksburg.com. Retrieved 2019-04-28.
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