One of the most interesting rockeries in the Washington Park Arboretum is located just below and north of the now restored Lookout.
Read more »A glimpse into the past - origins of the Holmdahl Rockery
One of more famous locations in the Washington Park Arboretum is known as the Holmdahl Rockery, located along Lake Washington Boulevard E., and now the location of the Gateway to Chile Forest in the Pacific Connections Gardens section.
Read more »A glimpse into the past - new buildings for visitors and crew
The first buildings to be added to the grounds of the Washington Park Arboretum were begun in 1985, as defined in the Jones and Jones Master Plan Update for the Washington Park Arboretum. It took almost ten years for the building plans to be finalized and the funds to be raised.
Read more »A glimpse into the past - Joe Witt in the "pit house"
This photograph taken in April 1976, shows Joseph A. Witt inspecting seed flats and cuttings in the “pit houses” of the University of Washington Greenhouses at Washington Park Arboretum.
Read more »A glimpse into the past - a view of MOHAI before SR 520
By John A. Wott, Director Emeritus This photo of the Montlake Section in the Washington Park Arboretum was taken September 10, 1953. The label states that you are “looking NE down the site of the canal fill, with the Museum of History and Industry in the background.” It is suspected that the small trees on the right are Japanese Cherry trees, which were later moved into the Quad on the University of Washington campus.
Read more »A glimpse into the past: a 1950's view from the lookout
By John A. Wott, Director Emeritus This photograph, taken on April 4, 1950, is located somewhere to the left of the location of the Lookout Shelter. It points southwest. Originally, the hillside held a large collection of Ceanothus, but they were killed during severe winters and never replaced. If one looks closely you can see “tracks” on Azalea Way, the outline of Arboretum Creek, and East Lake Washington Boulevard.
Read more »A glimpse into the past: the early years of FlorAbundance
The first major plant sale in Seattle (now called FlorAbundance) was sponsored by the Arboretum Foundation as a fund raiser for what was then the University of Washington Arboretum. The sales were originally held in a small building called Floral Hall, which later burned down.
Read more »A glimpse into the past: A view of Azalea Way 70 years prior
By John A. Wott, Director Emeritus This view looks from Lake Washington Boulevard toward the southern end of Azalea Way. The photo was taken by H. G. Ihrig in May, 1944. It shows the opening of Arboretum Creek along Azalea Way as it flows north from the culvert under Lake Washington Boulevard. Note the large weeping willow trees as well as the large open grass path we all know as Azalea Way.
Read more »A glimpse into the past - Rhododendron Glen before the canopy filled in
Today it is difficult to find much open space when you walk about the Washington Park Arboretum. Often you have trouble seeing the sky. More than 60 years ago the canopy was open in Rhododendron Glen.
Read more »A Glimpse into the past: Dedicating the Douglas Research Conservatory
On June 29, 1988, the Douglas Research Conservatory was dedicated. It was a state-of-the-art facility for plant propagation, research, and horticultural education.
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