Each year, The Arboretum debuts a new exhibit with antique and vintage items from The Archives. The Arboretum has had many interesting exhibits over the years that have featured arboretum staff, clothing, art and more that aim to curate thoughtful historical experiences for visitors. The best part: this experience is included within admission.
- The History Center is open Thursday - Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm.
Our 2026 History Center exhibit is Fueling a Legacy: The Pure Oil Company and Beman Dawes. Learn more about the exhibit here.
Interested in our past exhibits? Find those online below:
- 2025 Exhibit - Dedicated: Arboretum Staff
- 2024 Exhibit - Arboretum Blueprints & Drawings
- 2023 Exhibit - The Dawes Family Homes
- 2022 Exhibit - Beman and Bertie Dawes Clothing and Accessories
- 2021 Exhibit - Ohio Artist Sala Bosworth, The Dawes Family Collection
- 2020 Exhibit - Arboretum Art
- 2019 Exhibit - The Dawes Arboretum Then and Now: Arboretum Firsts
- 2018 Exhibit - Forestry at The Dawes Arboretum: Edmund Secrest, Reforestation, Beman and Bertie's wood artifacts, and Bur Oak logo
- 2017 Exhibit - Tree Dedications at The Dawes Arboretum
- 2016 Exhibit - Education at The Dawes Arboretum: Brumback Schoolhouse, Scouts, and the Lakewood 5th Grade Program
- 2015 Exhibit - The Dawes Arboretum's Japanese Garden, Johnny Clem, Rufus and Ephraim Dawes and Bertie Dawes' Heise Glassware
- 2014 Exhibit - History of The Dawes Arboretum, Beman and Bertie Dawes, The Pure Oil Company, and Tree Dedications