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USDA [Department of Agriculture] Agencies: Arboretum
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USDA [Department of Agriculture] Agencies: Arboretum
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Records of the Office of National Service (Clinton Administration)
AmeriCorps Files
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FOIA Number: 2013-0661-F
(3)
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the William J. Clinton
Presidential Library Staff.
Collection/Record Group:
Clinton Presidential Records
Subgroup/Office of Origin:
Americorps
Series/Staff Member:
General Files
Subseries:
OA/ID Number:
24223
FolderID:
Folder Title:
USDA [Department of Agriculture] Agencies: Arboretum
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
S
66
1
4
1
4-10-96
Joel,
It's been a while since I've seen you but the semester
is almost finished so I be attending the weekly meetings again.
Will you put my Name back an the roster of people that gets
faxed the meetings agenda. I also would like to get the
weekly News letter. This letter is to show you a little
bit of media recognition that my team has gotlen. This work
has been done through the NCCC Cimerilorps and DCHA
(District of Columbia Housing Authority). The home is rum
by DCHA for senior citizens and handicapped individuals. I
am in the dark about the trip to Minne apolis and other
things that are going al. I'll be back on 4-21-96 to
attand the meetings. I'll see you then.
Thank You,
Jain D. D. Winston Watton Jr. A1
USNational Cirboretam
CimeriCorps Program Coordinator
07/13/95
23:29
USNA
USNACE
001
United States
Agricultural
Beltsville Area
3501 New York Ave. .N.E.
Department of
Research
United States
Washington, D.C.
Agriculture
Service
National Arboretum
20002
is VSDA, National Arboretum
Gardens Unit
3501 New York Ave., NE
Washington, DC 20002-1958 NO
Date: 7-14-95 Total pages: 5 (including cover)
To: Joel Berg
Company Name: ameriCorps
Fax Number: (202)720-4614
Comments: This is the Third Quarter Report
and the Community Objectives
From: Laurence D. Winston Jr
Phone Number: (202)246-0018
Fax Number: 202-245-5973
If all pages are not received, please call Larry 245-0018
,
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
07/13/95
23:24
USNA
USNACE
003
USDA NATIONAL ARBORETUM QUARTERLY REPORT
THIRD QUARTER
1. Number of Members serving and Number of Hours served:
a. Number of full time members allotted. 5
b. Number remaining: 4 of the original 5.
c. Number of hours served in the second quarter.
average 454 each, totaling 2,270
d. Total of hours served to 7/7/95. 1. 1429
2. 1421
3. 1392
4. 1344
5. 528+391=919
(2 different participants)
e. Total number combined. 6,505
2. Number of Non-AmeriCorps Volunteers and number of Volunteer
hours.
Presently, the National Arboretum has 140 active volunteers.
They were all horticulturally skilled to some degree prior to
volunteering here. Dependent on their skill level, they are
placed in the collection that best suits their strengths.
Occasionally, individuals do not possess the knowledge needed to
work in a collection but if the they are quick learners they are
trained. Last summer, before the pilot AmeriCorps program, the
Arboretum had approximately 100 active volunteers. Our records
show that the number grows by approximately 15 to 20 people a
year and that number doubled since AmeriCorps inception. We
believe that the Americorps' presence has contributed to an
increased active volunteer program at the Arboretum.
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
07/13/95
23:25
USNA
USNACE
004
3. Specific Objectives
The participants will be able to meet and complete the
following objectives:
1. Physically improve the overall appearance of the
grounds.
In an effort to improve the Arboretum's appearance, the
participants have planted more than 750 plants of various sizes
in various collections and areas. They have killed thousands of
weeds by both physical removal as well as spraying them with a
herbicide. Weekly, they cut grass in high visibility areas
equaling approximately seven acres in size. Because of its high
visibility, excellence is a must. The delicate task of moving
Japanese koi (an expensive fish in the carp family) from a very
murky pond to the well manicured administration building pool was
a great success. Another task that is continuously undertaken is
returning areas that are not maintained to a state that meets the
Arboretums level of acceptability. Preparing one of the
collections for the winter was another task that also prevented
it from becoming inundated with insects in the spring. We assist
the Integrated Pest Management team with the removal of gypsy
moths. We also helped them with the construction of japanese
beetle traps and the removal of the actual beetles.
2. Possess enough knowledge about the Arboretum to be
able to provide young people with an educational and enjoyable
tour of the grounds. This includes being able to vary tours to
address specific interests.
Working in the different collections gave the team the
experience and insight into specific points of interests. This
allows them to possess the knowledge needed to provide tours to
groups that are not horticulturally educated. These are people
that probably would not enjoy the regular tour that the Arboretum
provides.
3. Have the ability and knowledge needed to teach
children the value of plants and environmental awareness about
natural systems. This message will be conveyed in a manner that
will be both entertaining and interesting.
The participants now possess the knowledge and are pursuing
opportunities to work with children in the immediate community.
4. Possess enough knowledge about the Arboretum to be
able to answer the most commonly asked questions by the visitors.
They will be able to refer to the visitor to other staff for more
detailed information if necessary.
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
07/13/95
23:30
USNA
USNACE
002
COMMUNITY OBJECTIVES
USDA NATIONAL ARBORETUM
The USDA National Arboretum 94-95 AmeriCorps community objectives are designed to
educate the surrounding community, improve the overall appearance of the Arboretum and make
the visitors experience as pleasant as possible. Due to a lack of funds, it has become is difficult
for the staff to maintain the grounds, provide ample assistance to visitors and continue to conduct
experiments on plant material for the nation as well as the international horticultural society.
Because of this shortage, some areas have been neglected the AmeriCorps has made it possible
to insure and enhance many other areas. The AmeriCorps team assists the staff in maintaining
the Arboretum's grounds. This provides the community with an exceptionally pleasing
environment to come and enjoy. Our staff of volunteers do a great deal of providing
information, giving tours, and doing some physical labor but the AmeriCorps team knows a
great deal about the full spectrum that encompasses the Arboretum and often visitors need
someone of this caliber. In this sense, the AmeriCorps team educates the visitors.
Specific Objectives
The participants will be able to meet and complete the following objectives:
1. Physically improve the overall appearance of the grounds.
2. Possess enough knowledge about the Arboretum to be able to provide young
people with an educational and enjoyable tour of the grounds. This includes
being able to vary tours to address specific interests
3. Have the ability and knowledge needed to teach children the value of plants
and environmental awareness about natural systems. This message will be
conveyed in a manner that will be both entertaining and interesting.
4. Possess enough knowledge about the Arboretum to be able to answer the most
commonly asked questions by the visitors. They will be able to refer to
the visitor to other staff for more detailed information if necessary.
5. The community will have horticulturally educated, college bound, work
experienced individuals that can contribute something positive to their
surroundings. Working at the Arboretum gives an AmeriCorps participant
a overview of the field of horticulture. This can be used in the community
in a variety of ways. The experience provides them with the horticultural
knowledge needed to explain the basics to interested individuals. It also
provides them with the ability to work as a team to reach a common goal,
work with a variety of different people and personality types as well as the
ability to work with the public.
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
07/13/95
23:31
USNA
USNACE
003
USDA NATIONAL ARBORETUM QUARTERLY REPORT
THIRD QUARTER
1. Number of Members Serving and Number of Hours served:
a. Number of full time members allotted. 5
b. Number remaining: 4 of the original 5.
c. Number of hours served in the second quarter.
average 454 each, totaling 2,270
d. Total of hours served to 7/7/95. 1. 1429
2. 1421
3. 1392
4. 1344
5. 528+391=919
(2 different participants)
e. Total number combined. 6,505
2. Number of Non-AmeriCorps Volunteers and number of Volunteer
hours.
Presently, the National Arboretum has 140 active volunteers.
They were all horticulturally skilled to some degree prior to
volunteering here. Dependent on their skill level, they are
placed in the collection that best suits their strengths.
Occasionally, individuals do not possess the knowledge needed to
work in a collection but if the they are quick learners they are
trained. Last summer, before the pilot AmeriCorps program, the
Arboretum had approximately 100 active volunteers. Our records
show that the number grows by approximately 15 to 20 people a
year and that number doubled since AmeriCorps inception. We
believe that the Americorps' presence has contributed to an
increased active volunteer program at the Arboretum.
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
07/13/95
23:32
USNA
USNACE
005
The most commonly asked questions by visitors to the
Arboretum are geared towards directions. During the busy season
the team was asked at lease 5 times a day directions to a
specific garden or how to get to the Administration building or
the duck pond. Occasionally, questions about a specific subject
will be asked and if the team does not know the answer, they
refer the visitor to other sources of information.
5. The community will have horticulturally educated,
college bound, work experienced individuals that can contribute
something positive to their surroundings. Working at the
Arboretum gives an AmeriCorps participant a overview of the field
of horticulture. This can be used in the community in a variety
of ways. The experience provides them with the horticultural
knowledge needed to explain the basics to interested individuals.
It also provides them with the ability to work as a team to reach
a common goal, work with a variety of different people and
personality types as well as the ability to work with the public.
Each participant possess the knowledge required to work in a
number of horticultural fields. They could easily work at a
garden center, for a landscaping company, or in a nursery. They
could also work for an environmental awareness organization,
public garden or most branches of the government that deals with
horticulture. Upon completion of this program, two participants
will enter college, one will participate for a second term, while
the fourth is opting to hold the stipend for a year in hopes of
receiving a one year appointment here at the Arboretum. They all
have a good work ethic and know how to communicate with
supervisors, fellow employees and subordinates. Their
understanding of the horticultural field is broad and covers vast
array of subjects. The subjects range from what makes a weed a
weed, integrated pest management, the impact of exotic invasive
plants in the landscape, aquatic plants and fish life, annuals
and perennials to name a few. They possess the knowledge and the
ability to convey learned material to others that have an
interest. During this session they have worked with a number of
different personality types and in all cases they bond together
to get things done and complete the task. Since the beginning,
they have bonded as a team and even when one member left the
replacement was greeted with open arms. Because this is a public
facility, employment requires that one have the patience and
curtesy to work with the public. Both the community and the
participants gain a great deal through AmeriCorps.
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
07/13/95
23:31
USNA
USNACE
004
3. Specific Objectives
The participants will be able to meet and complete the
following objectives:
1. Physically improve the overall appearance of the
grounds.
In an effort to improve the Arboretum's appearance, the
participants have planted more than 750 plants of various sizes
in various collections and areas. They have killed thousands of
weeds by both physical removal as well as spraying them with a
herbicide. Weekly, they cut grass in high visibility areas
equaling approximately seven acres in size. Because of its high
visibility, excellence is a must. The delicate task of moving
Japanese koi (an expensive fish in the carp family) from a very
murky pond to the well manicured administration building pool was
a great success. Another task that is continuously undertaken is
returning areas that are not maintained to a state that meets the
Arboretums level of acceptability. Preparing one of the
collections for the winter was another task that also prevented
it from becoming inundated with insects in the spring. We assist
the Integrated Pest Management team with the removal of gypsy
moths, We also helped them with the construction of japanese
beetle traps and the removal of the actual beetles.
2. Possess enough knowledge about the Arboretum to be
able to provide young people with an educational and enjoyable
tour of the grounds. This includes being able to vary tours to
address specific interests.
Working in the different collections gave the team the
experience and insight into specific points of interests. This
allows them to possess the knowledge needed to provide tours to
groups that are not horticulturally educated. These are people
that probably would not enjoy the regular tour that the Arboretum
provides.
3. Have the ability and knowledge needed to teach
children the value of plants and environmental awareness about
natural systems. This message will be conveyed in a manner that
will be both entertaining and interesting.
The participants now possess the knowledge and are pursuing
opportunities to work with children in the immediate community.
4. Possess enough knowledge about the Arboretum to be
able to answer the most commonly asked questions by the visitors.
They will be able to refer to the visitor to other staff for more
detailed information if necessary.
PHOTOCOPY
United States
Agricultural
Beltsville Area
3501 New York Ave. ,N.E.
Department of
Research
United States
Washington, D.C.
Agriculture
Service
National Arboretum
20002
July 25, 1995
Dear Joel Berg,
You wanted to have a meeting with Paula Jones, and myself. I got the impression that it was
going to address the concerns you have about the National Arboretum team only receiving
botanical expertise. You were not informed of the joint projects and educational experiences that
the Arboretum team has shared with both the DC Service antihunger team and the Natural
Resources Conservation Service AmeriCorps teams fro D.C. and Beltsvil'e. Since recruitment,
my team and I have kept close communications. Here is a list of the projects and educational
experiences the Arboretum team has shared.
D.C. Service Antihunger
Orientation to learn what each team does
they assisted in cleaning the Boxwoods & Perennial Collections
they assisted in cleaning the Azalea road.
Gleaming
Feed the homeless
Tour of the Arboretum
Orientation with elementary Auction team
D.C. and Beltsville NRCS AmeriCorps Teams
Fire safety and suppression
Food nutrition and safety
Piskataway National Park tour
Project leaning tree (children in touch with nature)
Project wild (children environmental education)
Restore the Chesapeake
Clean up the Anacosita
Stencil storm drains for the Chesapeake 2 times
Team building 3 times.
If these are not the types of projects that you were referred to please let me know and we can
schedule meeting.
Laurence Sincerely Winston Jr. A
COMMUNITY OBJECTIVES
USDA NATIONAL ARBORETUM
The USDA National Arboretum 94-95 AmeriCorps community objectives are designed to
educate the surrounding community, improve the overall appearance of the Arboretum and make
the visitors experience as pleasant as possible. Due to a lack of funds, it has become is difficult
for the staff to maintain the grounds, provide ample assistance to visitors and continue to conduct
experiments on plant material for the nation as well as the international horticultural society.
Because of this shortage, some areas have been neglected the AmeriCorps has made it possible
to insure and enhance many other areas. The AmeriCorps team assists the staff in maintaining
the Arboretum's grounds. This provides the community with an exceptionally pleasing
environment to come and enjoy. Our staff of volunteers do a great deal of providing
information, giving tours, and doing some physical labor but the AmeriCorps team knows a
great deal about the full spectrum that encompasses the Arboretum and often visitors need
someone of this caliber. In this sense, the AmeriCorps team educates the visitors.
Specific Objectives
The participants will be able to meet and complete the following objectives:
1. Physically improve the overall appearance of the grounds.
2. Possess enough knowledge about the Arboretum to be able to provide young
people with an educational and enjoyable tour of the grounds. This includes
being able to vary tours to address specific interests
3. Have the ability and knowledge needed to teach children the value of plants
and environmental awareness about natural systems. This message will be
conveyed in a manner that will be both entertaining and interesting.
4. Possess enough knowledge about the Arboretum to be able to answer the most
commonly asked questions by the visitors. They will be able to refer to
the visitor to other staff for more detailed information if necessary.
5. The community will have horticulturally educated, college bound, work
experienced individuals that can contribute something positive to their
surroundings. Working at the Arboretum gives an AmeriCorps participant
a overview of the field of horticulture. This can be used in the community
in a variety of ways. The experience provides them with the horticultural
knowledge needed to explain the basics to interested individuals. It also
provides them with the ability to work as a team to reach a common goal,
work with a variety of different people and personality types as well as the
ability to work with the public.
08/29/95
18:54
USNA
USNACE
002
CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL SERVICE
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVE
GRANTEE: USDA, National Arboretum
SITE: District of Columbia
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS:
What work will be done? What service activities will your
participants engage in?
They will provide a landscaping service to elderly and
handicapped individuals in surrounding communities that can not
physically perform the work or financially afford to have it
done.
What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described
above?
It will improve the appearance of the communities in which they
live, increase AmeriCorps and the National Arboretum's visibility
and show that we care about them and their community. It will
also allow the team to do some work that they find very
gratifying and rewarding.
How will you measure the quality of your product or impact of
your service?
Pictures will be taken before a job is started to assess what
work needs to be done, what the team can do and approximately
how long it should take. A questionnaire will be used to asses
the individuals needs as well an evaluation of the quality of
work performed.
By what standard will you gauge success?
Success will be measured by the growing number of individuals
interested in becoming participants. Responses to specific
questions located on the questionnaires as well as by any
comments made by community representatives and people in the
neighborhood. The teams self gratification will also be way of
measuring their success.
How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your
participants perform?
The exact number is not known because some properties will need
more work than others. The team will devote 16 hours a mounth to
this outreach project.
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
08/29/95
18:55
USNA
CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL SERVICE
COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVE
GRANTEE: USDA, National Arboretum
SITE: District of Columbia
COMPONENTS OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS:
What work will be done? What service activities will your
participants engage in?
The team will provide an entertaining and educational tour of the
Arboretum grounds. In addition, they will explain the impact
that everyone has on the environment and the importance of a
clean Chesapeake Bay. Tours will be given to children between
the ages of five and twelve.
What is the hoped for result of the work/activities described
above?
Children will understand how they fit into this world of ours as
well as what they can do to help slow and possibly prevent the
degridation that the environment is presently undergoing. They
will also gain an added respect for plants and wildlife.
How will you measure the quality of your produce or impact of
your service?
Three fact finding questionnaires will be administered. The
first will test the childrens knowledge before the event. The
second will be given afterwards to find out what was retained.
The third will be sent to the teacher or someone that directly
supervises the children to get an evaluation on how their time
was spent at the Arboretum.
By what standard will you gauge success?
It will be gauaged by the number of repeat visites by teachers
and educaters alike. Also, by the new educaters that were
recomended to attend the event because they thought that it was
an excellent learning medium for children. The childrens
participation will be another guage.
How many individuals will receive the benefit of the work your
participants perform?
The number of classes that contact the Arboretum to receive a
tour. That number will increase in the spring and fall due to
favorable weather conditions and word of mouth.
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
08/29/95
18:56
USNA
USNACE
004
1996 Recruitment plan United States Department of Agriculture - National Arboretum
Plans for recruiting participants into the AmeriCorps program - National Arboretums plan
will consist of a combination of efforts in order to ensure diversity. Contacts will be made
with vocational high schools and minority organizations. Ward, district and county
representatives will be notified. Unemployment offices and temporary employment agencies
will be contacted. Churches, universities and college career development centers will be
made aware as well as resourceful individuals will be briefed. A list of interested candidates
will be shared between myself and other AmeriCorps programs in this area.
Vocational High Schools
Margy Edsall
Donald Cook
Crossland High School
Gwynn Park High School
ATTN: Joan Nairn
ATTN: Ms. Prapher
6901 Temple Hills rd.
13800 Brandywine rd.
Temple Hills, Md. 20748
Brandywine, Md. 20613
Garland Proctor
Felonese Anderson
Croom Vocational High School
Tall Oaks High School
ATTN: Micheal Stricker
ATTN: Burt Poulis
15100 Mt. Calvert rd.
2112 Church rd.
Upper Marlboro, Md. 20772
Bowie, Md. 29716
Minority Organizations
Asian Heritage
(202) 833-2733
National Council of Laza
Michelle Waldron (202) 289-8173
Quality Education For Minorities
Stacy Kabarn (202) 659-1818
American Association for Higher Education
Judy Corcillo (202) 293-6440
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
USNACE
005
08/29/95
18:57
USNA
cont. Minority Organizations
League of United Latin American Citizens
Clarissa Lara (202) 408-0060
National Coalition of Hispanic Health and Human Services Organization
(202) 387-5000
National Hispanic Leadership Agenda
(202) 785-3314
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
Moora Lenahan and Hellen Marloo
Ward. District and County Representatives
Unemployment Offices
District of Columbia department of employment Services (Youth Program)
Roz Harper (202) 724-7326
Temporary Employment Agencies
Churches
Trinity A.M.E Zion
fax (202) 483-4318
Colleges and Universitles Career Development Centers
University of the District of Columbia
Biology Department (202) 274-7401
Career Plan and Placement (202) 806-7513
University of Maryland at College Park
Institute of Applied Agriculture
2123 Jull Hall
University of Maryland
College Park, Md. 20742-2525
Dr. Maytega (301) 405-4344
Virginia Lerch (301) 405-4691
PHOTOCOPY
USNACE
006
08/29/95
18:57
USNA
cont. Colleges and Universities Career Development Centers
Howard University
Career Planning and Placement (202) 806-7513
Miscellaneous
Steven Syfax United States Park Service Resource Management Specialist
(202) 690-5185
Northern Virginia Nurserymans Association
Byron Waites President (703) 323-0123
Shenandoah valley Nurserymans Association
Jerry Shrecknise President (703) 249-5761
Professional Horticultural Commission of Virginia
(804) 523-4734
A list of local individuals interested in the AmeriCorps program who has called the USDA
and the Corporation for National Service 1-800 toll free telephone numbers has been
obtained. The individuals interested in the Arboretum program will be contacted
Aplications will be accepted until the middle of October.
This list will be updated between now and the date that recruits are chosen. You will be
kept abreast of all updates. If you know of any resources that have not been tapped please
contact Larry Winston Jr. at (202) 245-0018.
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
Clinton Presidential Records
Digital Records Marker
This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative
marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff.
This marker identifies the place of an oversized document(s).
Given our digitization capabilities, we are sometimes unable to
adequately scan such large documents. The title from the original
document is indicated below.
Oversized documents have not been scanned in their entirety for
the purpose of digitization. To see the documents please contact or
visit the Clinton Presidential Library's Research Room.
The National Arboretum
Document Title:
in the Nation's Capital
The National
The Administration Building
National Arboretum Herbarium
The Administration Building was dedicated on April 27,
Accurate identification is essential to all plant research. The
1964. This low but light and airy structure of glass, aluminum,
herbarium is the principal facility that makes this possible. The
and textured concrete was carefully designed to blend with its
National Arboretum herbarium, a worldwide collection of
planted surroundings.
500,000 dried pressed specimens, is essential for the botanical
A glass-walled lobby with central space for living plant
study and identification of cultivated plants and related plant
displays is crossed by a corridor of administrative and research
breeding projects at the Arboretum, and for the support of
offices, an active branch of the National Agricultural Library,
cooperative programs within the Department of Agriculture. The
drafting and plant record rooms, and physiological and cytolog-
herbarium staff also answers technical inquiries, and loans its
ical laboratories.
collections to visiting scientists and others in this country and in
A colonnaded auditorium appears to be entirely surrounded
foreign countries as well.
by water. An illusion of floating is created by the cantilevered pro-
The value of the herbarium increases as its overall collection
jection of its walls over a reflecting pool. The auditorium seats
grows. Additional collections are acquired through active ex-
200 persons and alternatively serves for flower shows and public
change with about 100 institutions, foreign and domestic, and
exhibitions.
through plant exploration, introduction, breeding, and investiga-
A two-story wing houses the herbarium reference collec-
tion programs within the Department of Agriculture. The collec-
tions for taxonomic research, with facilities for the necessary
tion includes a broad representation of the world's cultivated
fumigation, drying, mounting, and accessioning of newly ac-
plants and their wild relatives.
quired materials.
Sizeable reference collections are also available - particu-
While the National Arboretum has received a variety of gifts
larly for the native plants of the United States, China, Tierra del
in the past, perhaps one of the most unique is the donation of
Fuego, and Peru. The collection of commercial nut varieties is ex-
tensive. A collection of willows (Salix), assembled by the late
Carleton R. Ball, is one of the largest in the country. The I.C. Mar-
tindale herbarium, acquired in 1964, includes valuable historic
specimens dating from the late 18th century.
The herbarium inventory includes the den Boer collection of
crabapple materials and a special collection of plants indigenous
to the western United States. The latter forms the basis of the Ar-
boretum's "Medicinal Uses of Plants by Indian Tribes of Nevada"
which has provided leads of considerable medical and industrial
significance. A byproduct of the taxonomic work of the her-
barium was the development of a new method of attaching her-
barium specimens using plastics - a technique that has been
Nishiki Koi
adopted by many of the world's leading herbaria.
Nishiki Koi from the National Aquarium. Nine Koi, or fancy
Japanese Carp as they are better known in this country, may be
Administration Building
seen in the pool outside the Arboretum's Administration Build-
Plant Introduction Station,
ing. The Koi have been developed over a period of many years in
Japan, where they are highly admired. They are particularly
Glenn Dale, Maryland
noted for their beautiful coloration which includes white, yellow,
The Plant Introduction Station at Glenn Dale, Maryland, is
orange, red, purple, blue, green, and black. The colors may be
administered by the National Arboretum. It receives germplasm
solid or in a variety of patterns. Some appear almost metallic.
of fruits, ornamentals, and vegetatively propagated food crops
The Arboretum's Koi range in sizes up to 14 inches in length. In
from all over the world. The Plant Introduction Station also
National Arboretum Herbarium
Japan, documentation has been made of Koi reaching 30 inches,
establishes, propagates, and inspects under strict quarantine
weighing 16 pounds, and living over 200 years.
conditions each of the plant introductions. Items certified free of
The pools around the Administration Building that contain
disease and insects are then distributed to scientists and nursery-
numerous tropical and hardy waterlilies, lotus, and other orna-
men throughout the United States.
mental aquatic plants provide an extra splash or two of color
Research is a major activity at the 70-acre Glenn Dale Sta-
during the summer months.
tion. Numerous introductions from foreign lands have been im-
proved over the years and are available from nursery companies.
The famous Glenn Dale azaleas, featured at the Arboretum, were
developed at the Glenn Dale Station.
Current research is concentrated on breeding better varieties
of woody and herbaceous ornamental plants (such as camellias,
hibiscus, iris, lycoris and other amaryllids, deciduous azaleas,
crapemyrtles, hollies, flowering pears, etc.), and on virus dis-
eases of fruit crops and ornamental plants.
Malus hupehensis - Tea Crab
HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL CAPITOL COLUMNS
In 1958 the east central portico of the United States Capitol was carefully dismantled to make way for a marble clad
addition. First proposed in 1864, the addition was considered necessary to correct the illusion that the cast iron
dome of the Capitol was inadequately supported. Pieces of the original portico-column shafts, capitals, bases,
pedestals, etc., were placed in storage at the Capitol Power Plant and later removed to Poplar Point Nursery, a
facility associated with the Botanic Garden that is operated by the Architect of the Capitol. The columns remained
in storage until 1984 when they were transferred to the Department of Agriculture for display at the National
Arboretum. Under the leadership of Mrs. George A. Garrett, the transfer was fostered by the Friends of the
National Arboretum which raised private funds to finance the removal and reuse of these historic columns. Noted
landscape architect, Russell Page, a personal friend of Mrs. Garrett, selected the site and designed the new, nearly
square configuration enhanced by a fountain, water stair and reflecting pool. After Page's death in 1985, the design
firm EDAW, Inc. oversaw the landscaping aspect of the project. Dedicated on June 14, 1990, the Capitol Columns
at the Arboretum are one of Washington's most memorable sights.
On display at the National Arboretum are twenty-two of the original twenty-four columns that once formed the east
central portico of the Capitol. The original design of the Capitol, prepared by Dr. William Thornton in 1793, called
for only twelve columns for the portico. Subsequently, this number was doubled to twenty-four by architect B. Henry
Latrobe who redesigned the portico in ca. 1806. Construction of the portico began in 1824, the works were directed
by yet another architect, Charles Bulfinch, who completed it in 1826.
Neither Thornton, Latrobe nor Bulfinch may be credited with the design of the noble Corinthian columns used in
building the portico. The design was derived from Sir William Chamber's Treatise on Civil Architecture, first
published in London in 1759. Chambers, in turn, had more or less copied the design from a sixteenth-century Italian
publication on the orders of ancient Roman architecture that combine in its Corinthian order the best features of
two examples surviving from antiquity: the Temple of Jupiter Stator and the Pantheon. By this roundabout route,
it may be said that the Corinthian Columns now displayed at the U.S. National Arboretum were designed in ancient
Rome, refined by the Italian Renaissance and brought to America in an English book.
The quarry that supplied the sandstone for the columns, and indeed for most of the stone for the Capitol and White
House, was located on a government owned island in Aquia Creek, Virginia, forty miles down river from
Washington. When the stones for the columns arrived at the wharf at the foot of Capitol Hill, there was great
excitement and merriment. One eyewitness wrote:
They are taken from the wharf, without aid of horses, upon a strong carriage, with a hundred men
pulling. Sometimes the members of Congress will turn out in the evening to assist 'the big wagon'
and join in all the pleasantry to which the novelty gives rise. When the columns arrive at the
Capitol, it is cheered by loud huzzas (among the workmen) there are perhaps not a half dozen
sober men. They drank scute (as they called whiskey) on the job. When the day's work is ended,
they hie to the grog shops and taverns to spend their earning.
Two highly skilled men were in charge of the stonework at the Capitol. George Blagden, an Englishman, was
foreman of the cutting shop while Giovanni Andrei, a native of Italy, was head of the carving department. Blocks
of sandstone were prepared by Blagden's men before being carved. One Corinthian capital required about six
months in the hands of a single carver who was paid $250 for his skill and labor. Stone cutters were paid $1.371/2
per day in summer but had their wages reduced to $1.25 during the shorter days of winter. During construction
of the portico, cutters were mainly employed to transform huge rough blocks of stone into perfectly smooth column
shafts. Together the carvers and cutters brought the east portico to completion in 1826.
Until it was dismantled in 1958, the east portico was the setting for most presidential inaugurations beginning with
Andrew Jackson on March 4, 1829. It was also the scene of innumerable speeches, demonstrations, protests and
rallies, each a thread in a great national fabric. And thanks to the vision and hard work of the Friends of the U.S.
National Arboretum, the noble Capitol Columns stand together again in a proud testament to a rich heritage.
HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL CAPITOL COLUMNS
In 1958 the east central portico of the United States Capitol was carefully dismantled to make way for a marble clad
addition. First proposed in 1864, the addition was considered necessary to correct the illusion that the cast iron
dome of the Capitol was inadequately supported. Pieces of the original portico-column shafts, capitals, bases,
pedestals, etc., were placed in storage at the Capitol Power Plant and later removed to Poplar Point Nursery, a
facility associated with the Botanic Garden that is operated by the Architect of the Capitol. The columns remained
in storage until 1984 when they were transferred to the Department of Agriculture for display at the National
Arboretum. Under the leadership of Mrs. George A. Garrett, the transfer was fostered by the Friends of the
National Arboretum which raised private funds to finance the removal and reuse of these historic columns. Noted
landscape architect, Russell Page, a personal friend of Mrs. Garrett, selected the site and designed the new, nearly
square configuration enhanced by a fountain, water stair and reflecting pool. After Page's death in 1985, the design
firm EDAW, Inc. oversaw the landscaping aspect of the project. Dedicated on June 14, 1990, the Capitol Columns
at the Arboretum are one of Washington's most memorable sights.
On display at the National Arboretum are twenty-two of the original twenty-four columns that once formed the east
central portico of the Capitol. The original design of the Capitol, prepared by Dr. William Thornton in 1793, called
for only twelve columns for the portico. Subsequently, this number was doubled to twenty-four by architect B. Henry
Latrobe who redesigned the portico in ca. 1806. Construction of the portico began in 1824, the works were directed
by yet another architect, Charles Bulfinch, who completed it in 1826.
Neither Thornton, Latrobe nor Bulfinch may be credited with the design of the noble Corinthian columns used in
building the portico. The design was derived from Sir William Chamber's Treatise on Civil Architecture, first
published in London in 1759. Chambers, in turn, had more or less copied the design from a sixteenth-century Italian
publication on the orders of ancient Roman architecture that combine in its Corinthian order the best features of
two examples surviving from antiquity: the Temple of Jupiter Stator and the Pantheon. By this roundabout route,
it may be said that the Corinthian Columns now displayed at the U.S. National Arboretum were designed in ancient
Rome, refined by the Italian Renaissance and brought to America in an English book.
The quarry that supplied the sandstone for the columns, and indeed for most of the stone for the Capitol and White
House, was located on a government owned island in Aquia Creek, Virginia, forty miles down river from
Washington. When the stones for the columns arrived at the wharf at the foot of Capitol Hill, there was great
excitement and merriment. One eyewitness wrote:
They are taken from the wharf, without aid of horses, upon a strong carriage, with a hundred men
pulling. Sometimes the members of Congress will turn out in the evening to assist 'the big wagon'
and join in all the pleasantry to which the novelty gives rise. When the columns arrive at the
Capitol, it is cheered by loud huzzas (among the workmen) there are perhaps not a half dozen
sober men. They drank scute (as they called whiskey) on the job. When the day's work is ended,
they hie to the grog shops and taverns to spend their earning.
Two highly skilled men were in charge of the stonework at the Capitol. George Blagden, an Englishman, was
foreman of the cutting shop while Giovanni Andrei, a native of Italy, was head of the carving department. Blocks
of sandstone were prepared by Blagden's men before being carved. One Corinthian capital required about six
months in the hands of a single carver who was paid $250 for his skill and labor. Stone cutters were paid $1.371/2
per day in summer but had their wages reduced to $1.25 during the shorter days of winter. During construction
of the portico, cutters were mainly employed to transform huge rough blocks of stone into perfectly smooth column
shafts. Together the carvers and cutters brought the east portico to completion in 1826.
Until it was dismantled in 1958, the east portico was the setting for most presidential inaugurations beginning with
Andrew Jackson on March 4, 1829. It was also the scene of innumerable speeches, demonstrations, protests and
rallies, each a thread in a great national fabric. And thanks to the vision and hard work of the Friends of the U.S.
National Arboretum, the noble Capitol Columns stand together again in a proud testament to a rich heritage.
THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL ARBORETUM
AVERAGE BLOOMING DATES
Of Interest Year Round:
Asian Valley, New American and Friendship Garden, National Bonsai
and Penjing Collections, Boxwood, Gotelli Collection of Dwarf and
Slow Growing Conifers, National Herb Garden-Knot Garden
In bloom January & February:
Witch Hazel, Conifers, Hollies, Japanese Apricot
In bloom the second week of March:
Winter Hazel, Mahonia, Wintersweet
In bloom the third week of March:
Pieris japonica, Winter Jasmine
In bloom the fourth week of March:
Pussy willows
In bloom the first week of April:
Daffodils, Crocus, early magnolias, Rhododendron mucronulatum,
Rhododendron 'PJM', Pieris japonica, Forsythia, Cornus mas,
wildflowers
In bloom the second week of April:
Daffodils, Crocus, early magnolias, Rhododendron mucronulatum,
Pieris japonica, Forsythia, wildflowers, early azaleas
In bloom the third week of April:
Daffodils, magnolias, Pieris japonica, Forsythia, tulips, Callery
pear, Japanese quince, early crabapples, flowering cherries, azaleas,
wildflowers
In bloom the fourth week of April:
Magnolias, crabapples, violets, azaleas, early rhododendrons,
daffodils, Japanese quince, wildflowers
In bloom the fifth week of April:
Early rhododendrons, azaleas, flowering dogwood, crabapples, late
ornamental cherries, Japanese quince, magnolias (Soulangiana
varieties), wildflowers, tree peonies, lilacs, Dove tree
In bloom the first week of May:
Flowering dogwood, azaleas, doublefile viburnum, rhododendrons,
tree peonies, wildflowers, lilacs, Dove tree
In bloom the second week of May:
Late azaleas, rhododendrons, Magnolia virginiana, tulip trees,
black locust, Chinese dogwood, peonies, wildflowers, herbs
In bloom the third week of May:
Late azaleas, rhododendrons, mountain laurel, Magnolia grandiflora,
Magnolia macrophylla, peonies, Chinese dogwood, old roses, iris,
herbs
In bloom the fourth week of May:
Chinese dogwood, mountain laurel, Magnolia grandiflora, Magnolia
virginiana, daylilies, lilies, old roses, iris, herbs, peonies
In bloom the first week of June:
Magnolia grandiflora, Southern catalpa, Viburnum dentatum, lilies,
daylilies, waterlilies, Chinese dogwood, Rhododendrons, Pyracantha,
fringetree, old roses, iris, herbs, annuals, peonies
In bloom the second week of June:
Mountain laurel, Linden viburnum, Rhododendron maximum,
Koelreuteria, daylilies, herbs, annuals, waterlilies
Late June into early July:
Butterfly weed, meadow flowers
Of interest in July:
Waterlilies, Hibiscus, crapemyrtle, conifers, daylilies, boxwood,
herbs, annuals, Sweet Pepper bush, Pepper Collection
Of interest in August:
Waterlilies, Hibiscus, conifers, crapemyrtle, boxwood, herbs,
annuals, Sweet Pepper bush, Pepper Collection
Of interest in September:
Pyracantha, waterlilies, Hibiscus, Viburnum in fruit, Colchicum,
boxwood, crapemyrtle, herbs, annuals, Osmanthus, Pepper Collection
Late September into early October:
Meadow flowers
Of interest in October:
Fall foliage, Pyracantha, Hibiscus, Colchicum, waterlilies,
crapemyrtle, Viburnum in fruit, conifers, dogwood in fruit, boxwood
herbs, annuals, ornamental grasses
Of interest in November:
Conifers, dogwood, Viburnum in fruit, fall foliage, pine cones,
ornamental grasses
Of interest in December:
Holly in fruit, pine cones, Nandina in fruit, conifers, Japanese
apricot
Education Office
1991
U.S. National Arboretum
Washington, D.C. 200002
Phone: 202-475-4815