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 that was created by damming the East Brook, which naturally flows through the Morris. The idea for the Morris Pond likely came from the popular 18th century landscape design style of the English romantic landscape which often included a classical temple reflected at water’s edge. Sculpted of white marble, it was modeled after the plans of Vitruvious, an Augustan student of architecture.

Records from that time period indicate that the Morrises purchased a pair of swans in 1923 for $82.50, resulting in the original name the Swan Pond. For many years the pond housed swans year-round, including recent beloved sisters Flora and Fauna. Following the 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. 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 has been renamed the Morris Pond.