Visit the Illustrated History of the Garden for glimpses of our rare, archival images. Cacti along west wall of Agave House, 1890.

Founded in 1859, the Missouri Botanical Garden is the nation's oldest botanical garden in continuous operation and a National Historic Landmark.

The Garden is a center for botanical research and science education, as well as an oasis in the city of St. Louis. The Garden offers 79 acres of beautiful horticultural display, including a 14-acre Japanese strolling garden, Henry Shaw's original 1850 estate home, and one of the world's largest collections of rare and endangered orchids.

The year 2009 marks the Garden’s sesquicentennial anniversary. For over 150 years, the Garden has been an oasis in the city, a place of beauty and family fun—and also a center for education, science, and conservation.

Visit the Garden's illustrated history for glimpses of our rare, archival images.