THE MORTON ARBORETUM
By Sam Hibben
2003 Graduate of Naperville North High School

Mr. Joy Morton established the Morton Arboretum December 14, 1922. The formation of the Arboretum started in 1921 when Joy was about 65 years old. While starting the establishment Joy sought help from Dr. Charles Sprague Sergeant who ran the Arnold arboretum for 50 years. With his help and the help of landscape architect O.C. Simonds, they were able to create a beautiful setting of plants and nature to what we know today as the Morton Arboretum. 

With creation of the Arboretum, Dr. Charles Sargent thought of the idea to have important European gardens for the Morton’s to visit. This is when they hired O.C. Simonds. Simonds was a highly trained architect when it came to these European gardens. When building the Arboretum, Joy included his son Sterling and his daughter Jean. Joy decided to use seven family members and two Morton Salt Company executives to be on the board of trustees for the Arboretum. Joy died in 1934. When he died the Arboretum had 735 acres of land. Also at the time it had many plants and nurseries. They made it so when Joy died they wouldn’t have to worry about anything going wrong. And because of the awareness of his staff, the Arboretum kept on growing larger and larger. Also after his death his daughter Jean became the next chairman for the Arboretum. She serves for 19 years. During her 19 years, the Arboretum developed a national reputation. Clarence Godshalk, who had worked at the Arboretum since 1921, was named director in 1939. As a trained landscape architect, he continues to develop the landscape in general and most of the plantings. He used the naturalistic style established by O.C. Simonds. 

Today the Morton Arboretum is still growing and being added on to. It’s a place for families to spend time together and enjoy the beautiful artistic scenery. The Morton Arboretum is also a place for people to take classes where you can learn about plants and how to care for them. I highly recommend that of you haven’t made a trip to the Arboretum that you should just take a day and go with your family to enjoy the looks and smells of what the plants provide. And this was all start by a 65-year-old man who just loved working with plants. 

Samuel Hibben is a graduate of Naperville North High School and a 2003 WPMA scholarship winner..