The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania

The Gardens & Exhibits

General Information
Plant Collection
Arboretum Features
Horticulture Center
History
Mission and Vision
Tree Adventure
Garden Railway

Garden Buildings

Select a Building

Dorrance H. Hamilton Fernery
Gates Hall
Widener Visitor Center
Greenhouse Complex
Horticulture Center
Log Cabin
Mercury Temple and Grotto
Springhouse
Pumphouse
Horticulture Center
Springfield Mills

George D. Widener Visitor Center

The building that now serves as the Arboretum’s visitor center first served as the gardener’s cottage, carriage house and stables. Built by Theophilus P. Chandler, Jr. in 1888, it was constructed from the same coursed and rusticated granite, irregular plan and roof style as Compton. This structure was renovated and adaptively re-used as the George D. Widener Education Center in the 1980s. The Shop at Morris Arboretum was added to the front of the structure and a seasonal café to the rear for visitors’ enjoyment.