Nathaniel L. Britton, Elmer D. Merrill, and Marshall A. Howe records

The history of the New York Botanical Garden begins with the honeymoon of Nathaniel Lord Britton and Elizabeth G. Britton. Nathaniel, a professor of Botany at Columbia College, and Elizabeth, who taught at Normal College, decided to use their honeymoon as an opportunity visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, England, in 1888. The Britton’s were impressed by the beauty and importance of Kew and returned to the United States with the goal of establishing a similar institution in New York. Previous attempts had been made to establish a botanical garden in New York City. Some examples are the Elgin Botanic Garden (also called the Hosack Garden) of 1801, which was the first public botanical garden in the United States, and the abortive attempt to establish a botanical garden adjacent to Central Park in 1877.

The need for a botanic garden was supported by the Torrey Botanical Club following its meeting of October 24, 1888, where Elizabeth Britton reported on the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew. The records indicate that Britton’s report provided the stimulus needed for the Torrey Botanical Club to support an “Appeal for a Public Garden in New York City.” The Torrey Botanical Club took on the responsibility of fundraising and increasing public consciousness to the need for a botanical garden in the city.

In April 1891, an official Act of Incorporation was passed by the State of New York for the Commissioner of Parks to set aside 250 acres of Bronx Park for NYBG. The original charter states that the “purpose of establishing and maintaining a botanical garden and museum and arboretum therein the State of New York for the collection and culture of plants, flowers, shrubs, and trees, the advancement of botanical science, … and kindred subjects… for affording instruction… for the prosecution of and exhibition of ornamental and decorative horticulture and gardening, and for the entertainment, recreation, and instruction of the people.”

Among the first benefactors were 48 public spirited citizens whose names were preserved on a bronze plaque attached to the wall adjacent the founder room. However, there were many other individuals connected with the founding of NYBG. The first officers of the NYBG included Cornelius Vanderbilt, President of the Board of Managers; Andrew Carnegie, Vice President; and J. Pierpont Morgan, Treasurer.

In 1896, Nathaniel Lord Britton was named the first NYBG Director. Under his administration, NYBG established its basic plantings, the landmark Conservatory was erected, and Columbia College’s herbarium and botanical book collections were deposited in NYBG’s library. Additionally, NYBG’s scientific exploration, research, and education programs began to take shape. In 1897, ground was broken for the construction of the Museum Building, which is now the LuEsther T. Mertz Library. A year later, excavation and construction began under the direction of architect Robert W. Gibson. By 1900, staff were working in the Museum Building, eight houses in the conservatory were opened, a permanent librarian was authorized, and an official education program that included a series of public lectures was inaugurated.

Throughout the early twentieth century, NYBG continued to grow. Amongst some of the major developments that took place during this time period are the following: All NYBG buildings were linked by telephones (1901), Tefft’s “Fountain of Life” was installed in front of the Museum Building (1905), NYBG acquired an additional 400 acres of land (1915), the Lorillard Mansion was renovated (1915), the Iris Garden was begun (1915), ground was broken for the Rose Garden (1915), Thomas A. Edison investigated rubber producing plants (late 1920s), ground was broken for the Thompson Memorial Rock Garden (1932), and the Act of Incorporation was amended (1933). During this time period, NYBG also initiated several of its own scientific publications. In 1929, Britton resigned as Director in Chief, but he remained active until his death in 1934. Elmer Drew Merrill followed Britton as Director, and held office from 1930-1934. In 1935, Marshall A. Howe was elected NYBG Director. Howe was replaced by William J. Robbins in 1937, with Henry A. Gleason serving at acting director during the transition in 1937-1938.

Britton’s Directorship (1896-1929) marks NYBG’s founding years. The following six years, under Directors Merrill and Howe, was a relatively quiet period, with few major events documented in the records. Merrill’s and Howe’s NYBG contributions were for the most part in the area of botanical research. However, the administrative careers of Merrill and Howe, linked with the early NYBG career of Director William J. Robbins, marks a period of transition for NYBG. This transition period included the unionization of garden employees, the great depression, and World War II.