History of the Dallas Arboretum & Dallas Blooms

Visit DFW’s premiere spring garden exhibit and discover the rich history of the Dallas Arboretum.

DFW boasts some of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the country. Voted as one of USA Today’s Top Ten Best Botanical Gardens, the Dallas Arboretum is one of the youngest, yet most celebrated nature displays and active horticultural organizations. Discover the unique stories behind the development of their fabulous floral gardens and dig into the details of their 40th Dallas Blooms event as we delve into the enchanting history of the Dallas Arboretum.

History of the Dallas Arboretum

The expansive history of the Dallas Arboretum began long before the acclaimed gardens were ever established. Now nestled against the southeast bank of White Rock Lake, a sprawling 66 acres of gardens surround what used to be home to two families in the late 1930s.

Architect John Staub designed a hillside 8,500-square-foot home on 22 acres overlooking majestic views of White Rock Lake. Completed in 1938 for prominent Dallasites, Alex Camp and Roberta Coke Camp, the architecture embraced a marriage of Latin Colonial, English Regency, and Art Deco styles. Active in the arts and philanthropic pursuits, Roberta supported local civic and charitable organizations including the symphony, art museum, ballet, and her church. It’s easy to speculate that she would be quite pleased with the repurposed use of her home today.

A year later, architects Denman Scott and Burton Schutt designed an adjacent 21,000-square-foot Latin Colonial Revival home for Everette DeGolyer and Nell Goodrich DeGolyer. Previously a 44-acre dairy farm, the DeGolyer House is now a landmark on the National Register of Historic Places and the Texas Register of Historic Places.

In 1940, landscape architects Arthur and Marie Berger designed the 4.5-acre DeGolyer Gardens for the family’s enjoyment. Numerous of these original garden features can still be viewed today, including the Octagonal Fountain, McCasland Sunken Garden, and Magnolia Allee.

The Formation of the DABS Nonprofit Organization

Fast forward to 1974, when several visionaries passionate about preserving nature and history formed the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Society, Inc. (DABS). They adopted bylaws, elected officers, and incorporated as a nonprofit organization. Over the next few years, this philanthropic group raised awareness of the organization and recruited members. Meanwhile, Southern Methodist University, which had previously acquired the DeGoyer estate, sold it to the city of Dallas Park Board, who recommended it as the new location for the botanical garden. By 1980, through over a million dollars raised by DABS, they were able to purchase the adjacent Alex Camp House. The official gardens opened to the public in 1984.

Today’s Dallas Arboretum

Since then, DABS has expanded the gardens substantially, including the popular Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden, aimed to teach little ones about the importance of nature and immerse them in education. These 8 acres delight children, parents, and teachers alike.

Events and Activities

Renowned for its seasonal events, the Dallas Arboretum is a popular tourist attraction to visitors and locals alike. From spring’s Dallas Blooms to fall’s Pumpkin Village, and the illustrious 12 Days of Christmas, seasonal events at the gardens have become a wondrous display of artistic talent and a celebrated tradition for many. Over the years, the gardens have also become host to various food and wine festivals, weddings, and concerts.

The beloved Cool Thursday Concert Series attracts neighbors and friends to an evening of music overlooking breathtaking views of the sunset over the lake. Members and visitors can pack a picnic or sample the delicious fare from local food trucks while reclining in lawn chairs or on blankets with friends and loved ones.

Growth & Innovation

The mission of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is “to build and maintain a public venue that promotes the art, enjoyment, and knowledge of horticulture while providing opportunities for education and research.” Their inclusive programs cultivate sustainable relationships within our community and promote diversity, equity, and family through enrichment activities and local partnerships.

Today, the Dallas Arboretum has grown into an extraordinarily active organization with a 75-member Board of Directors, 220+ paid staff members, and over 400 active volunteers. Continuously one of the top-ranked Dallas destinations by Trip Advisor, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden’s 66 acres of finely manicured grounds provide breathtaking views for residents and tourists year-round. With over 45,000 members, 90% of its traffic is still from the DFW area, according to 2022 statistics.

The Dallas Arboretum continues to stay on the cutting edge through expansion and important contributions. Their Trial Gardens and life science laboratory also contribute to a vast regional and national knowledge base through their innovative horticultural research. The next phase of their master plan includes a complete tram loop around the entire gardens, especially beneficial after a long day of walking.

Visit the Dallas Arboretum today and consider a membership to take full advantage of its wide array of cultural and educational opportunities. Learn more

Bring the Gardens Home

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Coming in April

Stay tuned for our follow-up feature on the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens…