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Beal Botanical Garden & Campus Arboretum

Beal Botanical Garden & Campus Arboretum

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Beal Botanical Garden & Campus Arboretum
  • Visit & Events
  • Science
  • Education
  • Nuture Your Roots
  • Plant Collections
  • Campus Arboretum
  • Support
  • About

< Visit & Events

  • Overview
  • Events
  • Garden Accessibility
  • Garden Etiquette
  • Free Digital Guide
  • Book a Group Tour
  • Exploration Map
  • Garden Collections Map

< Science

  • Overview
  • Beal Seed Experiment
  • Invasive Plants
  • Red Cedar Riverbank Restoration
  • Research and Teaching Permits

< Education

  • Overview
  • Classes
  • Public Tours
  • Tour Request Form
  • Beal Scholars
  • Resources

< Nuture Your Roots

  • Overview
  • Rooting Stations
  • Nurturing Campus
  • Extending Roots
  • Meditation Map

< Plant Collections

  • Overview
  • Core Collections
  • Thematic Collections
  • Augmented Reality Collection
  • Exploration Map
  • Garden Collections Map

< Campus Arboretum

  • Overview
  • Exploration Map
  • Historic Woodlands of MSU
  • Campus Tree Tour
  • Research and Teaching Permits

< Support

  • Make a Gift
  • Volunteer
  • Commemorative Trees and Benches
  • Land Use Plan
  • Donor Spotlights

< About

  • Overview
  • Mission & Strategic Plan
  • Our Team
  • Our Beal Scholars
  • History
  • Resources
  • Media Coverage
  • Arts MSU
Home >

150th Anniversary of Beal Garden

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WJBeal@msu.edu

Garden Newsletter

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Beal Botanical Garden and Campus Arboretum Michigan State University 408 W. Circle Dr. Room 207 East Lansing, MI 48824

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SPARTANS WILL|© Michigan State University|

150 Years of Connecting People, Plants, and Place

In 2023, the garden celebrated its sesquicentennial—that’s 150 years of learning, discovering, and making lasting memories! On September 13, 2023, we commemorated this extraordinary milestone with a 150th Anniversary Festival which included a tree planting and guest speakers, games, tours and education programs, take-home activities, art performances, and more! Thank you to the university departments, student organizations, and partners who helped make this day a success. And a big thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with us!

Read a congratulation letter from Governor Gretchen Whitmer for our 150th anniversary!

Watch a congratulatory video from Sen. Debbie Stabenow for our 150th anniversary!

Watch a well wishes video from Rep. Elissa Slotkin!

See more event photos on the Michigan State University Advancement Events flickr!

photo collage showing various people engaged in festival activities like playing music, planting a tree, and talking to each other
Photo credit: Biddle City Creative Media


Beal Botanical Garden 150th Anniversary Tour - July 15, 2023
Tour given by History Scholar Bill Hodgkins to the Historical Society of Greater Lansing
Video by the Historical Society of Greater Lansing

 

Then and Now Historical Photo Gallery

Is this the same garden? Visit our historical photo gallery to see side-by-side photos of different areas of the garden. The present-day photos were taken from approximately the same angle as the historical images to give you a comparison through time.

Photo Gallery 

A Walk Through Time

Over the past 150 years, the garden has seen many changes. Our garden history timeline highlights some of the events that have shaped the garden into what it is today. See what we have accomplished, how far we have come, and look forward to what lies ahead.

Garden History

two historical color postcards of the garden

 

150 years of Memories Made in The Garden

As we celebrate our sesquicentennial this year, we want to hear from you! What are your favorite memories you’ve made in The Garden? Send your stories and photos to wjbeal@msu.edu to be featured on our website, socials and anniversary events. The Garden as seen a lot of evolution throughout the years so please include the date, if possible.

sepia tone photo of the botanical garden
Ida Kirsch 2018_Ken Kirsch
photo of a couple standing in a garden
jalen-lillard-2
garden pond in early spring
beal-slides-10
old photo of large tree with someone sitting beneath it
beal-slides-10
sepia tone photo of flower bed with white blooms
beal-slides-24
sepia tone photo of the botanical garden
Ida Kirsch 2018_Ken Kirsch

Early signs of spring, before the beds begin to burst with life.

Johannes Wilbrink, May 1963

Ida Kirsch embracing the peace and beauty of the garden

Ken Kirsch, 2018

Head Gardener and Assistant Curator Johannes Wilbrink and wife Bouwina, celebrating the garden's 100th anniversary on a chilly day in May.

Johannes Wilbrink, 1973

A beautiful rainbow is seen from the River Trail at dusk in the garden. 

Jalen Lillard 2022

A view of the Beal Pond looking east, still too early for the wetland plants to sprout.

Johannes Wilbrink, May 1963

People enjoying a stroll through the garden in the 1980s. No technology in sight!

MSU Archives

A picture of the “Wild Garden” from a vintage postcard in 1904. In the background you can see the old Chemistry Lab that no longer exists!

MSU Archives

An MSU student enjoying a sunny spring day beneath the Katsura tree.

Johannes Wilbrink, May 1963

What your view coming down the steps of the main entrance of the garden would look like prior to the installation of the shade arbor in 1996.

MSU Archives

White petunias in bloom on the south side of Sleepy Hollow.

Johannes Wilbrink, June 1963

Substantial flooding from the Red Cedar at the main entrance of the garden Spring of 1975.

MSU Archives

Early signs of spring, before the beds begin to burst with life.

Johannes Wilbrink, May 1963

Ida Kirsch embracing the peace and beauty of the garden

Ken Kirsch, 2018

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