GARDEN HISTORY 
HUNDREDS OF YEARS IN THE MAKING
The vision for The Garden began in the early 1940s. Now, The Oregon Garden is one of Oregon's premier attractions welcoming visitors from all over the world. It is the setting for a summer concert series, educational programs and a favorite place for all types of events and weddings.
Why we're here - Water, water everywhere
The real story of The Oregon Garden reaches back 400 years, when the first white 
oaks took root on the verdant hillside overlooking the Willamette Valley. Since then, land has served the people of the valley well, from the Native Americans to the settlers, farmers and ranchers.
In the mid-1990's, when the Oregon Association of Nurserymen was looking for a 
site for the organization's planned botanical garden, the City of Silverton purchased the hillside south of downtown. Its acreage offered unmatched views and the promise of a unique setting for The Garden.
The city needed to find a use for its reclaimed water. The OAN needed a reliable source of water for its garden. The marriage of those two needs became the basis for 
the partnership that is now known as The Oregon Garden. The wetlands provide a natural filtration system for the recycled water, and the fresh-water fountains and other features make The Garden an anthem to the use and reuse of that most precious resource.
From that marriage has grown a garden whose collections are the basis for education and research - a living museum to be studied and enjoyed for generations to come.
Here's how it all happened:
Circa 1600 — The Signature Oak, centerpiece in the Oak Grove that would become part of The Oregon Garden, takes root on a hillside overlooking the Willamette Valley.
1940s — The Oregon Association of Nurseries (OAN) explores the idea of developing a botanical garden.
1980s — City of Salem contacts OAN about building a botanical display garden.
1990 — The garden idea is listed as part of OAN's first long-range plan.
1993 — A task force is formed to create a conceptual plan and goals.
1994 — The newly formed Oregon Nurserymen's Garden Foundation holds its first meeting. Art Anderson is elected president. Rick Gustafson joins the project, later to be named executive director.
1995 — Site selected as the City of Silverton and The Garden Foundation form the historic public/private agreement paving the way for creation of The Oregon Garden. The partnership includes the development of a wetland system to recycle the city's treated wastewater and irrigate ornamental plantings. Silverton Citizen Advisory, Master Plan and Technical Advisory Committees are formed. A public forum is held in October to review and critique design concepts.
1996 — The Master Plan is developed during a collaborative design process involving landscape and building architects plus technical support people.
1997 — Former U.S. Senator Mark O. Hatfield keynotes the June 27 groundbreaking. Garden President Art Anderson, U.S. Representative Darlene Hooley and Silverton Mayor Ken Hector turn the first soil.
1999 — The inaugural season of The Garden's summer concert season features the Oregon Symphony. Dedications: J. Frank Schmidt Jr. Pavilion on April 17, Native Oak Grove on Oct. 1, and Wetlands on Oct. 13.
2000 — Dedications: Conifer Garden on April 27, Jackson & Perkins Rose Garden on June 25, Children's Garden on July 1, Hughes Water Garden on July 15, Northwest Garden on Aug. 12, The Bosque on Sept. 10, Chez Garden on Oct. 25.
2001 — The Gordon House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, moves to The Garden in March and renovation begins. The Garden Patch is dedicated on June 21. The Grand Opening Celebration is held June 29-July 3, culminating with the dedication of the Silverton Market Garden, a showcase for Oregon agriculture.
2002 — Dedications: Gordon House on March 2, Rediscovery Forest and Natural Resources Education Center on June 7.
2003 — Pet Friendly Garden completed; site of the new Axis Fountain offers Willamette Valley vistas.
2004 — Visitor Center, Sensory Garden, Lewis & Clark Garden and Honor Garden completed.
