Our Mission:
The Dawes Arboretum is dedicated to increasing the love and knowledge of trees, history and the natural world. Founded in 1929 by Beman and Bertie Dawes, The Arboretum was inspired by the couple’s love of trees and nature. Today we remain dedicated to our mission through providing exceptional educational programs and events as well as maintaining incredible horticulture collections on over 1,800 acres of beautiful grounds.

Our Founders Purpose
The Dawes Arboretum was founded: to encourage the planting of forest and ornamental trees and to demonstrate the value of the different varieties of trees for these purposes; for practical and scientific research in horticulture and agriculture, but particularly in the growth and culture of trees and shrubs able to support the climate of the State of Ohio; in order to give pleasure to the public and education to the youth; and to increase the general knowledge and love of trees and shrubs and bring about an increase and improvement in their growth and culture.

In time there is to be erected in said Arboretum a building, or buildings, for the purpose of housing a reference library and laboratory for the study of trees and other plants, for the accumulation of data and relics pertaining to The Arboretum, as well as for the collection of historical data with reference to the parties who may have planted trees or been otherwise interested in said Arboretum, and for the dissemination of the knowledge thus obtained.