Garden History

1976

	First Holiday Festival A five-week winter holiday festival was launched.
	Education Center Opened Designed by Edward Larabee Barnes, the new facility was dedicated and opened to the public. The Library’s collection of 6,000 books was moved to the facility. The resource is housed in what is currently called the Regenstein Center.

1977

	Chicago Horticultural Society President and Director Appointed Dr. Roy Mecklenburg was appointed Chicago Horticultural Society President and Director.
	First Plant Census The Garden’s first plant census was conducted, tallying 13,837 trees and shrubs.
	First Bonsai Show The Midwest Bonsai Society hosted its first Mid-America Bonsai Show and Sale at the Garden.

1978

	Student Intern Program Launched Horticulturists-to-be were welcomed to the Garden to gain knowledge and practical skills through hands-on work.
	Plant Information Service Began Master Gardeners and Horticulture Specialists provide the following services to Garden visitors and callers on the Plant Information Hotline.

1979

	Prairie Restoration Received Support The MacArthur Foundation awarded a grant for the future planning and development of an educational prairie restoration set to begin in 1980.

1980

	Chicago Botanic Garden Officially Named The Botanic Garden of the Chicago Horticultural Society was formally dedicated as the Chicago Botanic Garden.
	Floating Lake Fountain Dedicated Located in front of the North Lawn, the fountain was dedicated in memory of Emily Birnie and Harold Cornelius Smith.
	Weed Sale Debut Volunteers hosted the Garden’s first Weed Sale. Currently, this event is called the Roadside Flower Sale.

1981

	Greenhouse Completed A 12,000 square-foot greenhouse was given to the Garden to help meet production space needs. In 2011, the Garden grew 250,000 plants.
	Edith and Albert Farwell Landscape Garden Opened Visitors to this garden began to see an array of planting options for their own home landscaping needs.
	Shoin House Assembled Seven carpenters took one year to complete this building in the soon-to-open Japanese Garden designed by Koichi Kawana. No nails were used in the original construction. Shoin House is a tribute to traditional Samurai retreat quarters – a place of peace and tranquility.

1982

	Garden Established as Weather Station Instruments were installed south of the research building, allowing the Garden to become part of the Agricultural Weather Network for Illinois.
	Japanese Garden Dedicated The plants and elements of Sansho-En (Garden of Three Islands) evoke Japanese symbolism. The garden is a tribute to beauty and pure form.
	Shade Evaluation Garden Opened Scientists began to study plants grown in this evaluation garden to determine which species thrive best in shaded areas.
	Horticultural Therapy Offered The Garden conducted horticultural therapy programs in nine Chicago-area care facilities.

1983

	Aquatic and Bulb Gardens Dedicated The Kresge Aquatic Garden and Edna Kanaly Graham Bulb Garden were dedicated as part of the Home Landscape Demonstration Gardens.
	Heritage Garden and Linnaeus Sculpture Dedicated The Gertrude B. Nielsen Heritage Garden and the Carolus Linnaeus sculpture by Robert Berks opened and were dedicated.