A Brief History of BBG
Growing from its humble beginnings as an ash dump in the late 1800s, Brooklyn Botanic Garden has come to represent today the very best in urban gardening and horticultural display.
Below is a chronology of important dates and developments in the Garden's history. It is illustrated with photos from our archives taken by Louis Buhle between 1915 and 1968. These charming black-and-white photos capture the evolution of the Garden and the spirit of the times.
1897
New York State legislation reserves 39 acres for a botanic garden.
1910
Garden is founded; Dr. Charles Stuart Gager is first director.
Dr. Gager speaking at the laying of the cornerstone of the Laboratory Building, 1916. More about this photograph.
1911
Native Flora Garden laid out.
1914
Children's Garden program begins.
Harvesting the first crop of the Children's Garden, 1914. More about this photograph.
1915
Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden is completed by landscape architect Takeo Shiota.
Japanese Garden, 1915. More about this photograph.
1916
Rock Garden constructed.
Rock Garden, 1916. More about this photograph.
1917
Auxiliary formed to support the Garden.
1925
Thirty-two dwarfed potted trees are donated, starting the now famous bonsai collection.
Shakespeare Garden opens, gift of Henry C. Folger.
Shakespeare Garden, 1926. More about this photograph.
1927
Construction of Cranford Rose Garden, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Walter V. Cranford, begins; dedicated the following year.
Rose Garden, 1927. More about this photograph.
1933
Magnolias planted, gift of Auxiliary.
Magnolia Plaza, 1933. More about this photograph.
1936
Rose Arc Pool completed, gift of Mrs. Walter V. Cranford.
1938
Herb Garden, gift of Auxiliary, dedicated.
Elizabethan knot garden established.
1939
Osborne Garden opens, gift of Mrs. Sade Elisabeth Osborne.
Steps leading to the Osborne Garden with the Brooklyn Museum in the background, 1935. More about this photograph.
1941
'Kwanzan' cherry trees are planted on the Esplanade, gift of Auxiliary.
1945
First BBG gardening handbook, Lilies and Their Culture; Use in the Garden, is published.
1955
Fragrance Garden, designed by landscape architect Alice R. Ireys, opens.
Work begins on the Fragrance Garden in the spring of 1955.
1956
Plant patent received for 'Red Jade' weeping crabapple developed at BBG.
1974
Volunteer Garden Guide program is established by Auxiliary.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden annual plant sale, 1974.
1977
Plant patent received for Magnolia × 'Elizabeth', the first yellow magnolia, developed at BBG.
Magnolia × 'Elizabeth', 2007. (Photograph courtesy of wallyg.)
1980
500-year-old Shogun lantern, gift of Tokyo, New York's sister city, placed in the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden.
Plaque next to the stone lantern reads: "This Japanese lantern was presented to the city of New York by Mr. Bunj Sakuma a controller of Taito Ward Tokyo, in October 1980, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the New York-Tokyo sister city affiliation.
In 1652, feudal lord Naito Bunzen-no Kami Nobuteru dedicated this 10 foot high, 3 ton, komatsu stone lantern to the Tokugawa shogunate." (Photo by Alison Dorfman)
1988
Steinhardt Conservatory, a $25 million capital project, is completed.
1989
Education Building is completed.
The Palm House is renovated as special events center.
The Palm House at Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
1992
Rock Garden is restored; Science Center opens at 109 Montgomery Street; Garden presents first Better Earth Award, recognizing environmental commitment.
1993
Lily Pool Terrace is renovated.
Lily Pool Terrace. (Photo by Niall Dunne)
1994
New mixed perennial border added to Lily Pool Terrace. Administration Building renovation is completed.
1995
Dedication of the refurbished Fragrance Garden.
1996
Breaking Ground opens—featuring the Amazing Plants! exhibition in the Steinhardt Conservatory's Chase Manhattan Discovery Center, the outdoor Discovery Garden, and Plant Discovery Carts.
Discovery Garden. (Photo by Dave Allen)
2000
Restored Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden reopens. Alice Recknagel Ireys Fragrance Garden is dedicated. The Center for Urban Restoration Ecology (CURE) founded with Rutgers University, and the BBG Florilegium is established. Master Site Plan approved by the Board of Trustees.
Restored Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden (Photo by Romi Ige)
2002
BBG becomes the U.S. office of Botanic Garden Conservation International (BGCI).
2003
Brooklyn Academy of Science and the Environment (BASE) is founded with Prospect Park Alliance as part of the New Century High School Initiative, and administrated by New Visions for Public Schools and the NYC Department of Education.
2004
Osborne Garden and Magnolia Plaza are restored. Garden Apprentice Program is created for students grades 8–12.
Magnolia Plaza. (Photo by Medi Blum)
2005
New Eastern Parkway entrance is opened, designed by Polshek Partnership Architects, LLP. Design of new Visitor Center and entrance begins. Replanting of Cherry Esplanade completed; 80 scarlet oaks replace the original Norway maples.
New Eastern Parkway entrance
2006
Restoration of the Cranford Rose Garden Pavilion and irrigation system completed. Planning for the Centennial Campaign begins.
2007
Redesign of the C.V. Starr Bonsai Museum and Steinhardt Conservatory Gallery. Design of new Visitor Center and entrance completed.
C.V. Starr Bonsai Museum. (Photo by Patrick Cullina)