THE GARDEN AT

Flourish: The Garden at 50 told the story about people with big dreams, with imagination and curiosity. In these next few pages, you’ll see just a few highlights from the celebration. Our volunteers, along with our Woman’s Board, donated 1,580 hours to help make Flourish come alive.

Moments to remember

“The Chicago Botanic Garden’s festive anniversary show featured something for everyone, spread out among the property’s glorious plantings and landscapes.”

Chicago Tribune: Best of 2022 Art Exhibitions

When memories are golden

As part of our birthday celebration, we had a reception for a beloved group— our 50-year members (below). More than 675 people who joined when the Garden first opened in 1972 are still members today.

“We remember back when [the Garden as it exists today] was just an aspirational drawing. The two of us said, ‘It’ll never happen’, because it was so ambitious. ‘Not in our lifetime’. We couldn’t imagine that all of that would come to be. And now to see that it’s far beyond that.”

—50-year member Lynn Keefer (pictured: Lynn and Al Keefer)

“It’s like my backyard. I’ve brought my children, and then my grandchildren, and even my great-grandchildren to Halloween. It gets bigger and better every year. [The Garden is] just a wonderful space without intrusions. You can go around and enjoy the beauty of nature.”

—June Hamer

Stories from the heart

At first, we weren’t sure what to expect. We asked visitors their thoughts on the Garden and ordered 1,500 cards for them to write their memories of us or dreams for our future.

Four months later, we had 13,000 cards in 17 languages. Visitors hung their cards on “talk back trees” in Regenstein Center. Their powerful messages were a testament to the power of plants, to the work that you make possible.

Your impact

What began as an “impossible dream” is now 28 gardens and four natural areas in Glencoe, 13 urban farm sites in the Chicago area, world-class horticulture and garden design, an internationally recognized plant conservation science research program, and popular nature-based learning programs.

Statement of financial position

Operating revenue and other support

Operating

Michael R. Zimmerman, Chair

Jean M. Franczyk, President and Chief Executive Officer

Fred Spicer, Executive Vice President and Director