Voices of the Arboretum is a gallery of audio recordings and supplemental materials available on ACORN, the library’s digital collections database. Scroll through this online exhibit to listen to stories of how the Arboretum has grown and changed over the past century. Some of the speakers in these interviews and presentations include the individuals listed below.

To listen to the audio from the gallery, click on the speaker symbol or “View Record” to be directed to the ACORN record. Then click play to hear the recording. Click on the arrows below the black box to access more audio content and/or transcripts. Scroll through the menu below the black box to skip to featured clips.

Clarence Godshalk, superintendent and director of The Morton Arboretum, served from 1921-1966. He witnessed the Arboretum’s earliest development.

Click play to hear Godshalk recount what a typical day at the Arboretum in 1922 was like.

Suzette Morton Davidson, Joy Morton’s granddaughter and board member, was instrumental in the establishment of the Sterling Morton Library and the original Visitor Center.

Click play to listen to her reminiscences of the Morton family.

Ray Schulenberg, namesake of the Schulenberg Prairie, retired in 1987 as the curator of plant collections.

Click play to learn about the restoration of the prairie that was named for him.