Call Number:

02

Repository:

Tyler Arboretum

Extent:

15.0 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

1944-2014 (inclusive)

Creator:

John J. Tyler Arboretum (Lima, Pa.)

Abstract:

Tyler Arboretum, in Media (Delaware County), Pennsylvania, sits on land that was owned for over 250 years by members of the Minshall, Painter, and Tyler families, who used it as a working farm and summer residence. During the mid 19th century, brothers Minshall and Jacob Painter planted over 1,000 types of trees and shrubs, many of them exotic, on the property. In 1944, Tyler Arboretum was established through a bequest of Laura Hoopes Tyler (1859-1944), named for her husband. The John J. Tyler Arboretum records, 1944-2014, consist of administrative records, correspondence, financial papers, historical research and other materials relating to Tyler Arboretum.

"In 1681 Thomas Minshall, an English Quaker, purchased property in Pennsylvania from William Penn that contained the site now occupied by the [Tyler] Arboretum. Between 1681 and 1944, the property was owned by eight generations of the...Minshall/Painter/Tyler family. Until 1944, it was a working farm and served as a summer residence for the Tyler family.

"The Arboretum itself began as the private collection of two brothers, Jacob and Minshall Painter. The brothers were fascinated by the popular 19th century study of natural history. During their lifetimes, they managed to amass large collections of dried plants, rocks, and other specimens. In 1825, the brothers set aside some of their land to begin the systematic planting of more than 1,000 varieties of trees and shrubs.

"In 1944, Laura Tyler, a direct descendant of Thomas Minshall, bequeathed the property to a board of Trustees that had been established to direct and oversee the land as an arboretum. Dr. John Casper Wister, Tyler Arboretum's first director, was considered by many to be one of the great American horticultural figures of the 20th century. He set out to build upon the Painter legacy, whereupon he created comprehensive collections representing conifers, magnolias, lilacs, hollies, narcissus, peonies and rhododendrons.

"Today Tyler Arboretum is a non-profit organization...[whose] mission is to preserve, develop and share...[its] diverse horticultural, historic and natural site resources in order to stimulate stewardship and an understanding of our living world. Tyler fulfills its mission through high quality educational programs, extensive horticultural collections and displays, preservation of its historic buildings and stewardship of 650 acres of woodlands, meadows and stream valleys."

Bibliography:

Quoted text from: Tyler Arboretum. "History." Accessed March, 21, 2014. https://www.tylerarboretum.org/about-us-2/history/.

This collection contains administrative records, correspondence, financial papers, historical research and other materials relating to Tyler Arboretum.

The administrative records consist of various reports (annual reports, reports on aspects of the park, park programming, and historical status); master plans and plans for developing the park; and files for the Board of Trustees, committees, and staff members, including John C. Wister. Dr. John Caspar Wister (1887-1982) was the first director of Tyler Arboretum from 1946 to 1968, and considered to be one of the premier horticulturalists of the 20th century.

Financial papers (such tax documents, insurance materials) are also present.

Additionally, the collection has photographs of Tyler Arboretum's property and buildings, and research files on the history of the Arboretum, the Painter brothers, and the Minshall/Painter/Tyler family.

Other materials available in the collection include information about the park trails and features, a letter from Helen Keller showing support for the Arboretum (1950), deeds and wills relating to the Arboretum property, maps, and press clippings (2005-2014).