Founded in 1829, Massachusetts Horticultural Society has helped shape how people understand plants, landscapes, and the public value of horticulture. Our history reflects moments of innovation, resilience, and renewal—each building toward a shared future rooted in the common good.
JUMP TO 1829-1899 | 1900-1929 | 1930-1960 | 1960-1999 | 2000-2009 | 2010-2019 | 2020-Present
Founded in 1829, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society emerged at a time when horticulture was both a science and a civic act. Through exhibitions, publications, and early advocacy for public green spaces, MHS helped shape how Americans learned from—and cared for—the natural world.
Established to advance horticulture as a science, an art, and a public good, MHS becomes one of the earliest horticultural societies in the United States.
Free weekly exhibitions at Faneuil Hall and Quincy Marketplace share knowledge of fruits, flowers, and plants—setting the foundation for what would become the Flower Show tradition.
MHS purchases the Sweet Auburn estate, later developed as Mount Auburn Cemetery—an early example of landscaped public space blending nature, design, and reflection.
First exhibited at an MHS show, the Concord grape becomes one of the most influential fruit cultivars in American horticulture.
1834 – Annual Horticultural Exhibition Established
1845 – First Horticultural Hall Opens
1860 – MHS Endorses the Work of Charles Darwin
1871 – Spring Flower Show Becomes an Annual Tradition
1880s – School Garden Movement Takes Root
As the new century begins, MHS expands its influence through landmark buildings, formal honors, and exhibitions that elevate horticulture on a national scale.
A world-class facility anchors horticultural exhibitions and education in Boston.
MHS begins awarding medals recognizing excellence in horticulture, landscape design, and public service.
The Society’s 100th anniversary show signals a new era in scale, innovation, and public engagement.
1923 – MHS Acquires Horticulture Magazine
During economic hardship and global conflict, MHS emphasizes service—supporting home gardening, food production, and youth engagement.
MHS promotes gardening at the household scale, reinforcing self-sufficiency and resilience.
The Society actively promotes Victory Gardens across the region during World War II.
Young gardeners are celebrated for their role in community food production and learning.
MHS broadens participation by bringing horticulture directly into schools, communities, and public spaces.
Hands-on horticulture enters classrooms, reinforcing plant science education.
A mobile horticultural classroom brings interactive learning to communities throughout Massachusetts.
Discover how Plantmobile brings plants to schoolsMHS helps found the New England Garden History Society, expanding scholarship and preservation.
MHS secures a long-term home for gardens, education, and public engagement.
The move to Elm Bank marks a major transition—shifting from exhibition halls to a living horticultural campus.
The Society relocates to the historic Elm Bank estate in Wellesley, opening a new chapter rooted in place-based learning.
Early efforts focus on rehabilitating historic landscapes, including the Italianate Garden and conservation of the Roman goddess statues.
Late 2000s – Exhibition formats evolve as the Society reassesses programming and long-term sustainability
MHS looks both backward and forward—preserving historic collections while expanding education and engagement.
Photographic glass plates, botanical prints, and archival materials are digitized to broaden public access.
Workshops, lectures, and botanical arts education grow at Elm Bank.
MHS recommits to its founding purpose—commune bonum, for the common good—through renewed mission focus, restored landscapes, and revitalized public programming.
A historic landscape is reimagined as a place for learning, reflection, and cultural appreciation.
Follow the Olmsted Asian Garden restorationThe Manor House undergoes a the start of a stabilization process; the Certificate in Botanical Art & Illustration program is acquired; the Garden at Elm Bank is named Best of Boston: Outdoor Venue.
After a 16-year hiatus, the Flower Show returns as a fall event at Elm Bank—reviving a defining tradition.
Today, Massachusetts Horticultural Society is a public garden, education center, and cultural institution—rooted in nearly 200 years of horticultural leadership.
Through restored landscapes, seasonal festivals, hands-on classes, and community stewardship, MHS continues to grow as a place where people connect with plants, history, and one another.
As we approach our bicentennial in 2029, we look forward to honoring our past while cultivating new possibilities for the future.
Join our mission of changing lives through horticulture by getting involved through membership, volunteering, or visiting!
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