Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Images
Waterfall, bridge, and pond area in the Botanical Garden
Concert held in the Botanical Garden's gazebo
Watercolor of waterfall and pond area completed during public event.
Daffodils in Botanical Garden
River Birch tree label
Aerial View of Bridge and Waterfall Construction
Purple Coneflowers blooming in Botanical Garden
Decorative Bench in Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden
Art Sculpture near Waterfall and Pond
Decorative flower bed in Botanical Garden
Botanical Garden gazebo
Aerial Photo of Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden (c.1974)
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Trees in Botanical Garden
Entrance to Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
The Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden has evolved over a period of years from a small garden outside the Museum of the Grand Prairie to the eight acres it covers today. In 1974, a major renovation was spearheaded by H.I. Gelvin, the founder of the Forest Preserve District, and the area was named in tribute to his late wife, Mabery.
When planning a trip to the Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden, look for tree and plant labels to learn about what grows in and around the garden. There is no fee to enter Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve or the Botanical Garden. You may access the garden through the Museum of the Grand Prairie, which also has no admission fee, or you may enter the garden by going around the museum to the gate on the east side. The garden is open the same hours as the preserve, generally 7 AM to sundown.
Cite This Entry
Cain, Patrick and INTERN on behalf of Museum of the Grand Prairie. "Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden." Clio: Your Guide to History. July 17, 2020. Accessed March 20, 2025. https://theclio.com/entry/107211