Become a Member

Thornhill Society

Unlimited visits and guests. Thornhill Society members, the Arboretum’s annual leadership giving society, elevate the impact of the Arboretum to create a greener, healthier, more beautiful world where people and trees thrive together.

Thornhill Society

$1,500 per year

One-year membership

Level Benefits

In addition to the member benefits
listed below.

Access to the Arboretum

without purchasing general admission tickets

Unlimited access

for friends and family when entering with you

Free and unlimited

Acorn Express tram tour vouchers

10% discount

at the Ginkgo Restaurant and Café

Free dog admission during

Tails on the Trails and Dog Admission Days

Two double-discount days

in The Arboretum Store

Priority registration

for Summer Science Camps and education classes

Exclusive Thornhill Society

free and ticketed event opportunities

Recognition of your support

in the Perennial Report and on the Visitor Center donor panel

Subscription

to Greenmatters, the exclusive donor newsletter

Option to maximize support

by giving monthly

Membership Benefits

All memberships also enjoy the following benefits:

Free admission and parking

including at electric charging stations

Visit any day without purchasing general admission tickets

by showing your physical or digital membership card at the gatehouse

Access to a dedicated membership hotline

630-719-2453

Discounted $5 add-on admission

for those visiting with a member (limit 2)

Free subscription

to ArbConnect and More Than A Walk In The Woods e-newsletters

10% discount

at The Arboretum Store

15% discount

on education programs

Best pricing on all ticketed events

Including Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum

Borrowing privileges

at the Sterling Morton Library

Reciprocal admission privileges

at more than 360 arboreta and botanical gardens across North America

Discounted rentals

on snowshoe and cross-country skis (subject to availability)

Members-only access

from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. daily, members have exclusive access to the grounds

Frequent Visitor Reward Program

Earn points toward a free small drink or pastry with every visit

Make a Bigger Impact

By joining the Thornhill Society, the Arboretum’s annual leadership giving society, you elevate the impact of the Arboretum to create a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world where people and trees thrive together.

Join now

Frequently Asked
Questions

See more questions
  • Becoming a member of The Morton Arboretum offers many benefits in addition to supporting its nonprofit mission.

    Members enter free every day, including during special member-only hours.

    Different levels of membership admit different numbers of people. For example, a Morton 1-level membership admits only the member, while a Morton 4-level membership admits four individuals a day, including the member.

    For additional friends and family who visit with them, members may purchase up to two $5 discounted add-on admission tickets per day beyond their admission benefit. The discounted $5 add-on admission tickets and additional full-priced general admission tickets, may be purchased online or at the gatehouse upon arriving. They must be purchased by the member.

    Members also get special opportunities and discounts in The Arboretum Store, when buying event tickets, and when registering for classes. Join today.

    Because The Morton Arboretum is a member of the American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Garden Network, Arboretum members enjoy free or discounted admission and other privileges at more than 360 botanical gardens and horticultural organizations across North America.

  • To renew your membership online, you will need both your membership number (found on your membership card) and the last name of the primary cardholder on your membership account. Sign in to the portal, click the “renew” button, and follow the prompts.

  • To purchase a gift membership online, select a membership level for your gift recipient. Then follow the prompts and complete your transaction. You may also purchase a gift membership on-site by visiting the Member Services Desk in the Arboretum’s Visitor Center, or by calling the Membership Hotline at 630-719-2453, which is available daily from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

  • The cost of membership to The Morton Arboretum is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. The value of benefits received is insubstantial and the cost of membership is fully deductible. Please consult your tax advisor.

  • Membership at The Morton Arboretum includes reciprocal admission to gardens that are part of the American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Garden Network. The Reciprocal Garden Network allows members of public gardens to visit other participating gardens free of charge.

    Those who are members of participating public gardens and who have one name on their membership cards are eligible to be reimbursed for up to two general admission tickets each time they visit The Morton Arboretum (for one member and one other person). Those with two or more names on their membership cards for other public gardens will be reimbursed only for those named on the card. Reciprocal benefits do not extend to special event tickets.

    To receive the benefit, purchase general admission tickets in advance online and then bring your receipt and membership card or other membership identification to the Visitor Services desk in the Visitor Center between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. for a refund. If you have questions, please email tickets@mortonarb.org or call 630-725-2066 between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Check to see if your garden membership is part of the program.

    Please note that The Morton Arboretum does not honor reciprocal admission for members of gardens with 90 miles, other than the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Make a Gift

Your support has an impact for trees—locally and globally.

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