MOBOT Wall Receives Grant Funds

The Missouri Botanical Garden has received a $529,623 grant from the Department of Interior, National Park Service (NPS) through the Save America's Treasures (SAT) grant program. The funds will be used for the preservation and rehabilitation of a section of the Garden's historic stone east perimeter wall.

The Missouri Botanical Garden is a National Historic Landmark and the oldest botanical garden in continuous operation in the nation, founded by Henry Shaw and opened to the public in 1859. The Garden's perimeter wall, portions of which were completed in 1856, follows Shaw's original design and still demarcates the eastern boundary of the Garden along Tower Grove Avenue, where the original 1858 east entrance gate to the Garden is located (today known as Spink Pavilion).

The nine- to 12-foot-tall limestone wall has been compromised and deteriorating due to a combination of age, weather and internal structure failure, along with the impact of traffic vibration, sidewalk work and the growth of 72-year-old pin oak trees. The SAT grant will allow the Garden to restore a portion of the wall as closely as possible to its original condition, so that it may continue to provide site security and historic continuity for years to come.

"We are delighted that the Save America's Treasures grant will help us to protect and preserve a portion of this historic wall," said Dr. Peter Wyse Jackson, president of the Missouri Botanical Garden. "The Missouri Botanical Garden conducts vital work in plant science, conservation, horticulture and education, but safeguarding the unique historic heritage of our buildings, facilities and landscape are also a vital part of our focus and future priorities."

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