Public Garden - After 1972
Collections: Public Garden - After 1972
Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania Records
The 1970s was a time of considerable change for the Arboretum, set in motion when Dr. F. Otto Haas assumed the position of Chair of the Advisory Board in 1972. During his tenure as Chair, the University granted the Arboretum more freedom as a university-wide “Resource Center” and the Board began to play a more active role.
In 1977, Dr. William M. Klein, Jr., an experienced botanical garden administrator, was named the Arboretum’s first full-time Director. Eight months after his
appointment, Dr. Klein and the Board, under the guidance of Dr. Haas, launched a comprehensive renewal program in tandem with the University’s institution-wide plan for the 1980s. The stated goal of the renewal program was to “renew and endow the Arboretum’s most precious assets and to develop a standard of excellence for those features that are fundamental to its original design and purpose as a university and public institution, as set forth by Lydia T. Morris in 1932” (Morris Arboretum Newsletter, March-April 1978).
One of the operational changes at the Arboretum was assigning horticultural staff to specific areas of responsibility rather than serving on roving crews across the entire grounds—a plan still being implemented today. Another change, led by then-Curator Paul Meyer, was implementation of a comprehensive policy for collection of shrubs and trees, also still being implemented. A third change was increased emphasis on educational programs utilizing the resources of the Arboretum.
By the end of the 1970s, the Arboretum had taken the significant steps toward renewal, with the support of grants and in partnership with the landscape planning firm, Andropogon Associates. This partnership has continued with several historical restoration projects as well as creation of new features.
Arboretum Staff History
There have been nine Directors since the Arboretum was established in 1932. The first two Directors served when the Arboretum had a dual system of governance—an Advisory Board of Managers and a Committee on Administration. In 1955, these two entities were consolidated into the Advisory Board of Managers. Twice in its history, the Arboretum has had an Acting or Interim Director.