Call Number:

RG6.S001

Repository:

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

Extent:

26 linear ft. (56 boxes (plus oversized items and photographs, plant cards))

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item or series here], Scott Arboretum Records, RG6/S-001, Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

Date:

1925-2025 (inclusive)

Creator:

Wister, John C. (John Caspar), 1887-1982, Zuk, Judith, Swarthmore College. Scott Arboretum, Sawyers, Claire, Oppe, Joseph, and Arthur Hoyt Scott Horticultural Foundation

Abstract:

The Arthur Hoyt Scott Horticultural Foundation was established at Swarthmore College in 1929 as a memorial to Arthur Hoyt Scott (1874-1927). The intention of the Foundation was to focus on plantings appropriate to Eastern Pennsylvania, creating a practical "garden of ideas" for amateur gardeners while at the same time improving the campus. The name changed to Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College in 1986. The collection contains records of the Scott Arboretum from the proposal for its formation to the present. Of special interest is the correspondence concerning the controversy in the planning of Interstate 476, "The Blue Route," as well as John C. Wister's mimeographed Swarthmore Plant Notes, plant records, and landscape plans.

The Arthur Hoyt Scott Horticultural Foundation was established at Swarthmore College in 1929 as a memorial to Arthur Hoyt Scott (1874-1927). He was a member of the Swarthmore College Class of 1895, president of the Scott Paper Company, and an avid amateur gardener. Interest in establishing a horticultural center on the Swarthmore campus which focused on planting appropriate to Eastern Pennsylvania began in the mid 1920s with discussions between Scott and John C. Wister, a prominent local horticulturist. In 1925, Samuel C. Palmer , a classmate of Wister in the Class of 1895 and professor of botany at the College, submitted a plan to the Board of Managers to establish an arboretum on the campus, Discussions with Swarthmore College President Frank Aydelotte resulted in Aydelotte's approval of the plan in November 1925, but the project was delayed by lack of funding. Arthur Scott died in 1927 at the age of 52, and in 1929, the Arthur Hoyt Scott Horticultural Foundation was established by Edith Wilder Scott (Mrs. Arthur Hoyt Scott and Class of 1896) and Owen (Class of 1894) and Margaret Moon (sister of Arthur Scott). The intention of the Foundation was to focus on plantings appropriate to Eastern Pennsylvania, creating a practical "garden of ideas" for amateur gardeners while at the same time improving the campus.

John C. Wister (1887-1982) became director of the Scott Foundation on January 1, 1930. He was a graduate of Harvard University and Harvard's School of Landscape Architecture and a noted horticulturist, writing books on irises and lilacs and editing many others. He was succeed in 1969 by Joseph Oppe. Judith Zuk served as director from 1983-1990. She was succeeded as Executive Director by Claire Sawyers who directed the Arboretum for thirty-five years. Claire Sawyers retired in 2025 and is succeeded by Jeff Jabco.

Plant acquisitions were accessioned with consecutive numbers through 1950. In 1951, plants were catalogued by the year followed by a consecutive number beginning with the number one each year. This system continued until 1957. Gifts were numbered consecutively up through #1432 in 1968. The last plant order placed by John C. Wister were 914 for the Upper Campus and 921 for Harvard Avenue. In 1969, the system was changed when Joseph Oppe became director of the Foundation.

In 1986 the name was changed to Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College to reflect that the foundation is actually an operating arboretum. In 2025 the name was changed to Scott Arboretum and Gardens which coincided with the merger of the Arboretum, a department of the College, and the College's Grounds Department into one unified entity.

Contains the records of the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College from the proposal for its formation to the present. Of special interest is the correspondence concerning the controversy concerning the planning of Interstate 476, "The Blue Route," as well as plant records and landscape plans. The Introduction to John Wister's typescript manuscript Swarthmore Plant Notes, 3rd version, 1954-1955 (Series 3), presents a history of the Arboretum as well as a more general history of horticulture and plant collecting.

Organized into six series.

1. Scott Office and administrative records
2. Plant records and landscape plans
3. Publications
4. Clippings and press releases
5. Scott Associates
6. John C. and Gertrude Wister