Grow the Gardens: Our Roots

The Sherman Library & Gardens has been deeply rooted in Orange County for over half of a century, serving the community as a sanctuary and educational beacon for horticulture, history, and art. Founded in 1966 by Arnold Haskell, and named for his friend and mentor, Moses Hazeltine Sherman, this iconic institution serves as a guardian of regional history and artifacts, a living library of plants both native and exotic, and a conservator of artistic works influenced by and produced in the Pacific Southwest.

Amid a bounty of beautiful gardens, fascinating memorable sites, and lively immersive experiences, the Sherman Library & Gardens is unlike any other local institution in terms of value, art, and educational offerings to the community.

In light of the sustained increase in community engagement, the beautiful property no longer has adequate accommodations to meet the growing need. It lacks a dedicated education space and art gallery, and many spaces throughout the campus need repairs and modernization to accommodate current technology and accessibility standards. As the Sherman Library & Gardens turns many away from its most popular education classes, art programs, and events, there is a clear need for a larger gathering space to welcome more community members.

More than just an outdoor gathering space, the lush gardens provide emotional reprieve for people looking to connect with one another, with nature, and with the community.

The Sherman Library & Gardens is rooted in our community.

The original endowment from the Sherman Foundation was purposely restricted to routine operating expenses that supports the library and gardens, ensuring that any capital changes to the property would require community approval, engagement, and investment. In so doing, the Foundation has ensured that the Sherman Library & Gardens belongs to the community and remains subject to its collective desires.

Therefore, with gratitude, the institution humbly calls upon its members, the residents of Corona del Mar, and the community at large to help Grow the Gardens into a living oasis of horticulture, history, and art for all of Orange County for generations to come.

“Just a wall away from the busy Pacific Coast Highway is a magical space that provides beauty, nature, and best of all a moment to feel calm and peaceful.”

–Amy Uyemura, Board of Governors

“We feel a sense of personal peace and growth from unexpected new discoveries each time we visit the Sherman Library & Gardens. It’s a secret treasure that needs to be shared more with our community.”

–Janet Ray, Co-Chair of Campaign Committee and Walkie Ray, Co-Chair of Campaign Committee and Board of Trustees

Leave a lasting legacy and help us Grow the Gardens by pledging your support.

reconfigure, and reimagine the property to better meet the growing need.

Grow the Gardens will benefit the entire community by:

• Creating more efficient and accessible space, allowing the Sherman Library & Gardens to meet the continually growing demand for education and artistic programs and advance the institution as a cultural center and oasis that is inclusive of the entire community.

• Redesigning the entrance into a gorgeous, accessible, and welcoming frontage which allows the community to readily enjoy the beauty of the gardens from both inside and outside the gates; increasing both the charm of the Corona del Mar village and property values within the surrounding neighborhood.

• Expanding opportunities for education and artistic programs, and special events that will provide sustainable revenue to support ongoing operations .

• Increasing the Sherman Library & Gardens’ impact on the lives of Orange County residents and annual tourists.

To Grow the Gardens means welcoming more visitors; offering more community services and educational programs; supporting more local artists, authors, and performers; and celebrating more seasons of life with the families of Orange County.

With your help over the next 3 years, the Sherman Library & Gardens will renovate,

Funding Needs

The Grow the Gardens campaign, totaling $13 million, will include the following improvements:

• New elegant and stately Bell Tower grand entrance on Pacific Coast Highway

• New custom-designed wrought iron fencing providing visibility into the garden along Pacific Coast Highway and Fernleaf Avenue

• Repurposing current garden shop for new Garden-to-Table Restaurant with access from Pacific Coast Highway

• New Visitor Center repurposed from current administrative offices

• New dedicated education space for increased programming, repurposed from the shared Community Building restaurant location

• New administrative offices repurposed from current storage area

• Renovation of the Tropical Conservatory and Specimen Shade Garden

• Restoration of the pathways for greater accessibility and creating a Central Garden Walk for direct access to dedication education space

• Reconfiguration of 4th Avenue parking lot for increased parking and addition of shade canopies with solar panels

Together, we will plant the seeds, grow the garden, and leave a legacy for generations to come.