Beman Dawes, co-founder of The Dawes Arboretum, shared a great love for the outdoors alongside his wife, Bertie Dawes. Beman was taught by his father, Rufus R. Dawes, at a young age to size up a tree, calculate its age and determine the lumber value. He soon became aware of every tree he came into contact with. Due to his father owning a wholesale lumber company in Marietta, Ohio, Beman would be saddened when he would come into contact with a tree that had been growing for many years and would soon need to be cut down.
The purpose of The Dawes Arboretum, Beman’s vision, is to encourage the planting of forest and ornamental trees, for practical and scientific research in horticulture and agriculture, to give pleasure to the public and educate the youth and to grow the public knowledge and love of trees.
Beman’s goal was to pay all expenses of The Arboretum himself and allow the endowment to grow. In future planning, he urged that it be the State legislature that would allow The Arboretum to be tax exempt in benefiting the public. He believed that any past, present or future funds for The Arboretum should largely be used for the gathering of rare trees and the expansion of grounds. With over 2,000 acres of land today that houses many rare and ornamental trees, Beman’s legacy has continued for nearly 100 years. Our Science & Conservation team currently monitors approximately 16,000 species of labeled specimens in living collections to inform the public and guide future plantings. The Arboretum is a resource for researchers at other institutions where plant material from around the world can be collected in a single location, with extensive, accurate and in-depth records. These records allow for studies of disparate species in time sequence that would otherwise not be possible.
The Dawes family set their roots deep in the soil of The Arboretum with a great legacy that future generations would need to uphold. Beman desired for this to be a sanctuary of learning, but also of community involvement. Tree dedications were introduced by Beman himself and originated from one of Beman and Bertie’s trips to England. There, they became interested in a big chestnut tree that had been planted upon the return of the house from the Battle of Waterloo. From this trip, the idea was born and Beman wrote to two of his personal friends and his brother: Governor James M. Cox, General John J. Pershing and General Charles G. Dawes. Each distinguished guest was brought out to The Arboretum and a tree was planted in their name. This traditional event continued throughout the years and was able to allow for prominent individuals as well as organizations to hear about The Arboretum and support the mission.
Beman had a deep connection to the outdoors and a great love for trees. His ideas sparked so much creativity and has allowed for The Arboretum to transform into what it is today. Since 1929, we have become home to more than 100 acres of restored wetlands, support to nearly 100 acres of prairie and meadow habitat, lead the charge in saving plants from extinction, and host to four Nationally Accredited Plant Collections just to name a few milestones: Maples, Witch-hazels, Dawn redwoods, Buckeye and Horse-chestnuts. All of the discoveries, events, memories and achievements would not have been made possible without you, the community. Your generosity as well as your undying urge for exploration and education of nature has kept The Arboretum’s mission alive and has offered so many forms of expansion. From the brilliant mind of Beman himself, “May this Arboretum live long and be a continual pleasure and benefit to the public.”