Morris Pond
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.
History of the Morris Pond
In 1905 John and Lydia Morris commissioned the creation of a large pond on their estate by damming the East Brook, which naturally flows through the Morris property. The pond was likely inspired by the 18th-century English Romantic landscape design movement that emphasized picturesque scenery and often featured a pond or lake paired with classical architecture.
In keeping with that tradition, a white marble classical temple was constructed at the water’s edge the following year. The small circular temple with six columns was designed by Ernesto Gazzeri of Rome, based on the principles of Vitruvius, an Augustan-era architect whose writings have influenced architecture from the Renaissance on.
Historical records show that the Morrises purchased a pair of swans the same year the pond was created, giving rise to the original name, Swan Pond. Over the years, the pond was home to several pairs of swans, most recently the beloved sisters Flora and Fauna, who became cherished fixtures of the landscape.