Growing Together: Then and Now

In 1914, Penn State set aside land with the intent to one day create an arboretum, where the Commonwealth’s remarkable diversity of tree species and other flora could be studied and celebrated.

Nearly 100 years later, a $10 million gift from Charles “Skip” Smith launched the construction of the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens at University Park, and contributions from thousands of donors and hundreds of volunteers, as well as continuing leadership support from Smith himself, have transformed ten acres of land into space for learning, research, rest, and connection.

An aerial campus view, circa 1921-28, of what is now the Dr. James J. and Lynn D. Ramage Marsh Meadow.

The Children’s Garden celebrates the flora, fauna, and natural history of central Pennsylvania. Features include sculptures of native wildlife, a simulated cave, a wading stream, raised garden beds, and a glass house that serves as a hub for educational programs.

Now, as The Arboretum at Penn State celebrates its fifteenth anniversary, the plan is to keep growing. A living classroom, a partner in multi-disciplinary research, and a beloved resource for community members of all ages, the Arboretum has designs for twenty additional acres of cultivated gardens. It also manages 340 acres of land beyond the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens, including fields and woodlands that are being restored, used for research, or developed as educational and recreational project sites.
The Overlook Pavilion’s northwest side is the 924-square-foot Ridge and Valley sculpture, which depicts the Spring Creek watershed’s landforms and waterways.
The Margery Enes Smith Soaring Waters Fountain overlooks the Ramage Marsh Meadow. A gravel path leads to a boardwalk across the switchgrass meadow below and toward the University Park campus. Benches and a low wall provide seating.

A three-acre garden was designed to attract the many insect pollinator species and both resident and migratory birds in our region—including this bee hotel.

The vision for stewardship of Pennsylvania’s natural beauty extends beyond Happy Valley: In December 2023, a gift from James and Barbara Ingram launched the new Commonwealth Arboreta Network, currently comprising seven Penn State campuses that will inventory trees and plant life while sharing research and teaching resources. The eventual goal is to create an arboretum at every University campus. 

Strolling through the Pollinator and Bird Garden, guests can enjoy winged creatures visiting the many flowering plants.
Encircling the Event Lawn, the Kathryn Bower Smith Strolling Garden comprises a wide, paved path and border plantings of flowering shrubs and perennial herbaceous plants, as well as the Hosler Oak, the first tree planted in the botanic gardens.

There are more than 663 individual specimens comprising more than seven unique species, hybrids, and cultivars currently growing in the Arboretum. The majority of the hellebore collection can be found around the Overlook Pavilion, Event Lawn, and in the Rose and Fragrance Garden.

The Poplar Court is located on the site of the future conservatory. The tall, narrow poplar trees which frame the court are fast-growing, making them an ideal choice for this planting.

For more information on growth plans, visiting, or giving to The Arboretum at Penn State visit arboretum.psu.edu.