Celebrating a Piece of History

ARBOR LODGE, the original home of the Morton family, is one of the most recognizable landmarks near Arbor Day Farm. The mansion sits atop a large hill, overlooking the property and its many acres of forest.

This September marks the 100th anniversary of the donation of the Lodge from the Morton family to the state of Nebraska. It now serves as part of a wider historical park — and a beautiful monument to the origins of Arbor Day.

Arbor Lodge didn’t always look the way it does today. It was built in 1855 as a four-room frame house, and over the years, grew to have 52 rooms after several renovations.

Historical artifacts from the Morton family can be found in each room of the home, which is open year-round for tours and special events. In the warmer months, it’s common to see couples getting married on the mansion’s front lawn.

To mark the occasion, we planted a ceremonial tree at Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City. This bur oak will grow as a reminder of what we have accomplished and serve as inspiration for what is possible in the years to come.

Thank you for being an important part of this journey to 500 million trees. Your engagement in our mission has helped to make it possible. I can’t wait to work together to plant the next 500 million trees.

The surrounding historical park includes an arboretum, Italian terraced garden, carriage house, and walking trails. And, unsurprisingly, it’s filled with impressive trees. The tallest tree near the mansion, a black walnut, clocks in at 101 feet high.

In addition to their grand stature, many of these trees are well over 100 years old. They were planted in the late 1800s by the Morton family, who had a strong interest in cultivating rare varieties across the property.

We’d love to see your photos of Arbor Lodge over the years. Tag us on social media with the hashtag #ArborLodge — and in the meantime, get out and enjoy your own state’s historical natural treasures.