Thornhill Education Center

Located on the site of the original Morton mansion, the Thornhill Education Center hosts many of the Arboretum’s educational programs.

Founder’s Room

When the Thornhill Education Center opened in 1942, it replaced most of Joy Morton’s mansion. Only the original library, now known as the Founder’s Room, remains.

This room, with its English oak paneling, carved stone mantelpiece, and decorative plaster ceiling, looks much as it did when it served as Morton’s private library. It features exhibits of photographs, letters, and other memorabilia pertaining to the Morton family and Arboretum history. (The Sterling Morton Library, located in the Administration and Research Center, opened in 1963 and continues to serve as the Arboretum’s current library.)

Joy Path

The landscape around the Thornhill Education Center contains a mix of plants including original specimens that surrounded the mansion during the days of Morton residence. Notable plants around Thornhill include White Tigress maple (Acer ‘White Tigress’) and Accolade™ elm (Ulmus ‘Morton’).

Joy Path, which begins between the Thornhill Education Center and the Fragrance Garden, is a popular starting spot for short hikes or all-day adventures. Mr. Morton wrote that every evening after work, still wearing his suit and hat, he would walk the path to connect with the sights and sounds of country life. In 1924, he wrote in a letter, “We have made quite extensive plans for the Arboretum … We are going to have fine specimen trees and shrubs all along the path; shall make a particular effort to grow the broad-leafed maples along the path, which is well protected on all sides and I think will ultimately become one of the prettiest parts of the Arboretum.”

Each year as many as 10,000 children may travel the path as part of a field trip, camp program, or early childhood program that advances their understanding of natural science in a hands-on setting. Look for the beautiful spreading canopy of the Miyabe “State Street” maple at the south end of Joy Path, and ponder the number of guests who have enjoyed its shade since it was planted in 1929.

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West Side, Parking Lot 21
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