 Bolleswood hemlock grove c. 1914, later destroyed in 1938 hurricane. |
Originally the land was a wooded recreation area for members of the community to hike, picnic, and study in. The local poet Anna Hempstead Branch, Bolles' heir, who deeded part of the Arboretum to the College, requested that her gift remain open to the public.
In the 1930's and early '40's Professor George Avery, the Arboretum's first director, focused the role of the Arboretum on collecting botanical species and reconfiguring its look. The pond (Colonel "Lambdin's Folly"), the D.A.R. entrance plaza, the Laurel Walk, the footpaths, the Outdoor Theatre, Buck Lodge, the tree nurseries, as well as the iron fence, over time transformed the Arboretum's rugged appearance.To preserve nature and buffer the College from the surrounding towns, the Arboretum's second director Professor Richard Goodwin during his 24 year tenure expanded the Arboretum by 300 acres.
Professor William Niering, its third director, focused the role of the Arboretum on preserving its ecosystems and naturalness and on utilizing it for teaching and research. He established a number of long term ecological studies which continue to this day.
Currently under its fourth director, Glenn Dreyer, the Arboretum sponsors several public education programs a year, in addition to its serving as an outdoor laboratory for the natural science programs of the College.
Records belonging to the Archives Arboretum Collection consist of Arboretum Bulletins and other Arboretum publications, including the directors' annual reports; photographs; office records and correspondence of its directors Avery, Goodwin, and Niering; and the unpublished papers of natural science research conducted by students and faculty in the Arboretum.
This collection is open to the public. A finding aid is available.