Morris Pond

Tree with pink blooms in the foreground with a small white gazebo in the background.

Two swans swimming in a pond with a white gazebo in the background.

An Update on the Swan Pond

For many years, sister swans Flora and Fauna were beloved presences at our Swan Pond. Following the recent loss of Fauna, and after careful consideration and consultation with animal care professionals, we made the tough decision to rehome Flora to a place where she will receive dedicated care in a secure environment.

This decision was made solely for Flora’s safety. In recent months, she had been increasingly targeted by Morris’s native wildlife, and with the loss of her companion, conditions no longer allowed us to ensure her well-being on site. Rehoming offers her a protected setting better suited to her long-term health and safety and reflects our ongoing commitment to responsible stewardship, animal welfare, and the health of our living collections.

While no swans will be in our pond for the foreseeable future, it will remain welcoming to koi, wild ducks, and other native wildlife species. As part of this transition, the Swan Pond will be renamed the Morris Pond.

We appreciate our visitors’ understanding as we make this necessary change.

A black and white photograph of a man and women near the edge of a pond looking at two swans.

History of the Morris Pond

Designed and installed in 1905 by John Morris, the Morris Pond is an artificial lake created by damming the East Brook, which naturally flows through the Morris property. The pond was likely inspired by the 18th-century English Romantic landscape tradition, a design movement that emphasized picturesque scenery and often featured reflective water elements paired with classical architecture.

In keeping with this tradition, a white marble classical temple was constructed at the water’s edge. Its design was modeled after the principles of Vitruvius, the Augustan-era Roman architect whose writings greatly influenced neoclassical architecture.

Historical records show that in 1923 the Morris family purchased a pair of swans for $82.50, giving rise to the pond’s original name, the Swan Pond. For many decades, the pond was home to swans year-round, most recently the beloved sisters Flora and Fauna, who became cherished fixtures of the landscape.