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. Photo by Louis Buhle.
1911
Local flora section (now the Native Flora Garden) is laid out.
1914
Children's Garden program begins.
Harvesting the first crop of the Children's Garden, 1914. Photo by Louis Buhle.
1915
Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden is completed by landscape architect Takeo Shiota.
Japanese Garden, 1915. Photo by Louis Buhle.
1916
Rock Garden constructed.
Rock Garden, 1916. Photo by Louis Buhle.
1917
Laboratory Building and Conservatory (now Administrative Building and Palm House) are dedicated. Auxiliary formed to support the Garden.
1921
Lily Pool Terrace dedicated. Cherry Walk planted.
1925
Thirty-two bonsai are donated, starting the Garden’s now famous collection. Shakespeare Garden opens, gift of Henry C. Folger.
Shakespeare Garden, 1926. Photo by Louis Buhle.
1928
Dedication of Cranford Rose Garden, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Walter V. Cranford.
Rose Garden, 1927. Photo by Louis Buhle.
1933
Magnolias planted on Magnolia Plaza, gift of Auxiliary.
Magnolia Plaza, 1933. Photo by Louis Buhle.
1936
Rose Arc Pool completed, gift of Mrs. Walter V. Cranford.
1938
Herb Garden, featuring Elizabethan knot garden, established, gift of Auxiliary.
1939
The Osborne Garden opens, gift of Mrs. Sade Elisabeth Osborne.
Steps leading to the Osborne Garden with the Brooklyn Museum in the background, 1935. Photo by Louis Buhle.
1941
'Kanzan' cherry trees planted on the Esplanade, gift of Auxiliary.
1945
First title in BBG's gardening book series, 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 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. Photo courtesy of wallyg.
1980
500-year-old Shogun lantern, gift of the city of Tokyo, 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, completed.
1989
Education Building completed. Palm House renovated as special events center. Project Green Reach created.
The Palm House at Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
1990
New York Metropolitan Flora Project launched.
1992
Rock Garden restored. Science Center opens at 109 Montgomery Street. Garden presents first Better Earth Award, recognizing environmental commitment.
1993
GreenBridge founded. Lily Pool Terrace renovated.
Lily Pool Terrace. Photo by Niall Dunne.
1994
New mixed perennial border added to Lily Pool Terrace. Administration Building renovation completed.
1995
Dedication of refurbished Fragrance Garden. Greenest Block in Brooklyn contest established.
1996
Discovery Garden opens. Garden website, bbg.org, launched.
Discovery Garden. Photo by Dave Allen.
1997
Gardener’s Resource Center opens.
1999
Frances M. Miner Children's Garden House renovated
2000
Restored Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden reopens. The Center for Urban Restoration Ecology (CURE) founded with Rutgers University. BBG Florilegium is established. Master Site Plan approved by the Board of Trustees.
Restored Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden. Photo by Romi Ige.
2001
Alice Recknagel Ireys Fragrance Garden is dedicated.
2002
BBG becomes U.S. office of Botanic Garden Conservation International (BGCI). Planting and dedication of Liberty Oaks.
2003
Brooklyn Academy of Science and the Environment (BASE) founded.
2004
Osborne Garden and Magnolia Plaza restored. Garden Apprentice Program created.
Magnolia Plaza. Photo by Medi Blum.
2005
New Eastern Parkway entrance opened, designed by Polshek Partnership Architects, LLP. Dedication of Judith D. Zuk Magnolia Plaza.
New Eastern Parkway entrance
2006
Restoration of Cranford Rose Garden pavilion and irrigation system completed. Planning for the Centennial Campaign begins.
2007
Redesign of 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.
2010
BBG celebrates its centennial. Ground broken for new Visitor Center. Herb Garden redesigned and expanded.
