Missouri Botanical Garden · Landscapes of Hope

Title: Missouri Botanical Garden
Description: Historically once known as Shaw’s Garden, established by English immigrant Henry Shaw in 1859, the Missouri Botanical Garden is now one of the most important botanical research institutions west of the Mississippi. Shaw dedicated the land that is now Tower Grove Park, and his garden conservancy to the city upon his death. Historically of the Victorian era, the botanical institution was not without its wrongs. Records indicate that Shaw owned slaves, and in 1855, 4 African Americans escaped his house with the help of a woman named Mary Meechum. The garden accounts for this terrible history, and while no action beyond reparations can indeed make up for the enslavement of people, there is on display, public information about the people who were enslaved and the site is listed on the Underground Railroad register. What gives me hope about this institution is the dedication to culture, the community and the greater city within this garden. One of my fondest memories of my first summer living here was the Whitaker Music Festival, a free music concert offered on Wednesday nights inside the garden walls. Unlike regular admission, Whitaker nights are free and open to everyone. You can bring camp chairs, wagons, your own picnic dinner, and even alcohol and enjoy the company of your neighbors, friends and family in a world class botanical garden. Those types of events really solidify a feeling of community, in a naturally beautiful and clean environment. While admission to the park has changed over the years, the garden does offer free admission to city residents on many days throughout the year. It would be excellent if the garden was funded the same way as the St. Louis Art Museum and Zoo, which could provide free admission to all, but due to the history of the institution, its funding and financial structures are built differently. The garden does offer a Member Appreciation Week, where yearlong memberships to the garden are a certain percentage, 15% off. My mom and I go in on a membership each year for Christmas, usually re-applying during the member appreciation week, which makes it slightly more affordable to access this amazing place. While the botanical garden has evolved over the years, it remains one of the most popular places of the city, and has remained culturally relevant and impactful for over a century.
Semester: Fall 2025
Address: 4344 Shaw Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63110
Date: 1859-present
Source: Kathleen Jochman (photo)
Contributor: Kathleen Jochman

Item sets: Landscapes of Hope; Historical Site: Landscapes of Hope

Site pages: About

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