History of the Garden
Marsh Botanical Garden was established in 1899 by Yale paleontologist Professor Othniel C. Marsh, who envisioned a living collection that could serve both science and education. Originally planted as a teaching resource, the garden steadily grew in scope and importance through the early 20th century, providing faculty and students with access to plants for study in botany, ecology, and horticulture.
Over time, the garden expanded into its current eight acres, with six greenhouses adding nearly a third of an acre under glass. These facilities have supported countless research projects in fields ranging from molecular biology to ecology, while the outdoor plantings evolved to include both curated collections and naturalistic landscapes.
Today, Marsh Botanical Garden remains deeply connected to its origins—supporting Yale’s academic mission—while also serving as a welcoming green space for the New Haven community. Visitors enjoy vibrant seasonal displays, diverse tree specimens, and themed collections that highlight both the beauty and scientific importance of plants.
1899
O.C. Marsh leaves instructions in his will to donate his house as the home of the first forestry school in the United States, with the grounds designated as a botanical garden. Upon his death in 1900, the house and grounds become part of Yale’s campus.
1922
Landscape architect Beatrix Farrand begins her decades-long relationship with Yale and the Garden. Her original design featured systematic plantings, a rockery, a small greenhouse and nursery, and a formal garden patterned after the oldest existing formal garden in Padua, Italy. The garden reached its peak in the 1930s and early 1940s, drawing thousands of visitors each year.
1944 - 1990s
During this time, the garden experienced a decline. In 1986, Mary Helen Goldsmith, Professor Emeritus of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, was appointed director and led the first stages of outdoor garden restoration.
2003 - Present
At the turn of the century, a new approach to all aspects of the Garden began. A master planning process provided a long-term vision, guiding its restoration and growth. New greenhouses were added, research space expanded, and plans continue to restore the gardens while honoring Beatrix Farrand’s legacy.