1975
Land donated: the beginning
I thought it was about time someone did something for the ol' town. So many take so much from Dubuque, but leave so little behind.”
-JACKSON (MAC) MARSHALL
In 1975, “Mac” Marshall (1894-1977) donated 51 acres of land — 36 acres of meadow and about 15 acres of walnut timber — to the City of Dubuque with three stipulations:
1976
Tri-State Garden Club formed
In 1976, Jim Schwarz formed the Tri-State Garden Club with the purpose of establishing a botanical garden in Dubuque and learning about gardening together. Also, at that time, Frank Hardie had an interest in establishing an arboretum. A collaboration began.
1980
City leases 16 acres of land
The Dubuque Parks Department initially leased 16 acres of Marshall Park to seven Tri-State Garden Club members, with each member contributing $20. These visionary volunteers started it all by planting the trees, bushes and plants, and erecting fences and arbors. It was to be an all-volunteer and all-plants-donated destination.
Jim Schwarz, Gene Heinemann, Mel Gottschalk, Ambrose Hoeger, Marlyn Bausman, Jack Frick, Frank Hardie
At the time, there were just two structures on the property:
The Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens had begun.
1981
Nurseries donated plants + farm renovation
1982
Volunteers began to build and plant
1983
Greenhouse added + more plantings
A greenhouse was added on the south wall of the Visitors Center. Jim Schwarz (in charge of growing) donated the greenhouse.
More plantings were added:
1984
More plants and the first wedding!
Planted:
The first wedding was held in the Arboretum.
1985
Visitor Center created
After completely renovating an old barn into a visitor center for guests, a new foundation was poured in 1985, and a porch, offices, restrooms, and a meeting room were created. Ron Jungers designed and spearheaded this construction and went on to build the wedding gazebo and round shade structure in the Hosta Garden.
1987
First burnoff + more plantings
1988-1990
Waterfall + more plantings + technology
1989
Greenhouse + trellises + deck + porch
1991
Amphitheater + Music in the Gardens + Veterans Memorial
1992
Sounds + an Herb Garden + pools + water lines + a greenhouse
1993
Japanese Garden planning + a Butterfly Garden + the Herb Society of Dubuque
Jim Grady spearheaded this garden.
1994
Japanese Garden construction began
1995
Two "firsts": a conifer collection + HerbFest
1996
A second Conifer Collection was added + more construction
1997
Another storage building was constructed
The Tri-State Garden Club erected a 24’ x 24’ storage building in the northeast corner of the grounds.
1998
Roses + McKay Memorial Plaza
1999
The Visitor Center was renamed
2000
First Children's Party + Koi Pond filled
2001
A bridge + roads + a garden
2001
The Formal English Garden was created
The concept of the English Garden was developed in 2001 as a tribute and memorial by the children of Georgette (1913-1989) and Frank Hardie (1911-2000), first president of the Dubuque Arboretum. The English Garden was completed and dedicated in July 2004.
2003
The Memorial Walkway was created
A new memorial brick walk was extended from the parking lot to the Herb Garden.
2004
English Garden completed + new president
2005
The entrance gate received a makeover
The stone pillars and metal arboretum sign were erected at the entrance gate.
2015
The Garden of Eat'n was created
Some call it a "food forest," this aptly-named garden (Garden of Eat'n) is an educational display of a sustainable garden … demonstrating foods we can grow beautifully in our own backyards.
2017-2018
The Heinemann Center was remodeled
With the most recent Heinemann Center remodeling, the building (which houses the the Visitor Center, the administrative offices, and the Gardens Gift Shop):
2019
Conifer Collections + Garden added
2021
Improvements continued
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