BGCI > Garden
United States Botanic Garden
United States of America - District of Columbia - Washington
Institution Code: USBG
International Agenda Registrant: Yes
Current BGCI member: Yes
About the United States Botanic Garden
The United States Botanic Garden traces its beginning to 1816, when the constitution of the Columbian Institute for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences in Washington, D.C., proposed the creation of a botanic garden to collect, grow, and distribute plants of this and other countries that might contribute to the welfare of the American people. The Institute's garden was established by Congress in 1820 to the west of the Capitol Grounds, extending from First Street to Third Street between Pennsylvania and Maryland Avenues. This facility functioned until shortly after the organization stopped holding meetings in 1837.
In 1842, the idea of a national botanic garden was reestablished when the return of the United States Exploring Expedition to the South Seas (the Wilkes Expedition) brought to Washington a collection of living plants from around the globe. Placed initially in a specially constructed greenhouse behind the Old Patent Office Building, the plants were moved in late 1850 into a new structure on the site previously occupied by the Columbian Institute's garden.
The Garden was moved to its present location in 1933. The complex is bordered by First Street and Third Streets, S.W., and located along the north and south sides of Independence Avenue. The Garden includes the Conservatory and two acres of surrounding exterior grounds, the outdoor display gardens in Frederic Auguste Bartholdi Park surrounding Bartholdi Fountain and the three acre National Garden directly west of the Conservatory. A plant production and support facility moved to the present location in 1993 and includes 25 acres of growing space, 85,000 sg ft of greenhouses and maintenance shops.
Under the direction of the Joint Committee on the Library (Legislative Branch of the US Federal Government), which is charged by law with control over the USBG, the Architect of the Capitol is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the Garden.
Main Address:
United States Botanic Garden
245 First Street, SW
Washington
District of Columbia 20024 United States of America
Telephone Number: (202) 226-8333
Fax Number: (202) 225-1561
Web Site: www.usbg.gov
Institution Email Address: rmims@aoc.gov
Show all data
- Staff Details
-
Director: Holly H. Shimizu, Director
Curator: Ray Mims, Plant Conservation & Sustainability
Plant Records Officer: Jaclyn Leahy, Plant Records
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Total Staff:
Number of Horticultural Staff: 31
Number of Educational Staff: 15
Number of Research Staff:
Number of Administration Staff: 5
- About this Garden
- Institution Type: Botanic Garden
- Status
-
State: Yes
Educational Establishment: Yes
Municipal: No
Trust Administered: No
- Date Founded: 1816
- Physical Data
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Natural Vegetation Area (inside BG): Yes
Size of Area: 3 hectares
-
Landscaped Area: Yes
Size of Area: 6 hectares
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Total Area (in Hectares): 14 hectares
Latitude: 38.8881320
Longitude: -77.0129140
Annual Rainfall: 100 mm
Altitude: 8.00 metres
Total Area Under Glass: 5760 metres
- Additional Locations
- Satellite Garden Names (including exteral arboreta): USBG Production Facility & Nursery 25 acres & 85,000 sqft under glass
4700 Shepherd Parkway SW
WDC 20032
- Local Information
- Garden Name: United States Botanic Garden
- Address: 245 First Street SW
Washington D.C. 20024-3201
- City: Washington
- State: District of Columbia
- Features and Facilities
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Herbarium: No
Arboretum: No
-
Micropropagation/Tissue Culture Facilities: No
Seed Bank: Yes
Published Plant Catalogue: Yes
Computer Plant Record System: Yes
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Open to the Public: Yes
Society of Friends: Yes
Retail Outlet (shop): No
Retail Outlet (plant sales): No
Disabled Access: Yes
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Number of Visitors: 1000000
Number of Volunteers: 200
- Plant Collections
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Number of Living Plant Accessions: 12286
Number of Taxa in Cultivation: 7842
- Special Collections:Araceae,Bromeliaceae,Orchidaceae,Cactaceae,Arecaceae,Zingiberales, cycads, ferns, Medicinal plants, Hawaiian plants, native Mid-Atlantic plant material.
- Conservation Programmes
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Conservation Programme: Yes
Medicinal Plant Programme: Yes
Ex Situ Conservation Programme: Yes
Reintroduction Programme: Yes
- Research Programmes
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Plant Breeding: Yes
Conservation - Biology: Yes
Data Management Systems and Information Technology: Yes
Ecology: Yes
Ecosystem Conservation: Yes
Education: Yes
Ethnobotany: Yes
Exploration: Yes
Invasive Species Biology and Control: Yes
Pollination Biology: Yes
Restoration Ecology: Yes
Sustainability: Yes
Pharmacology: Yes
Land Restoration: Yes
Urban Environments: Yes
- Education Programmes
-
Visitor/Education Centre: Yes
Education Signs in Garden: Yes
Public Lectures/Talks: Yes
Education Booklets/Leaflets: Yes
Guided Tours: Yes
Permanent Public Displays: Yes
Special Exhibitions: Yes
Courses for School Children: Yes
Courses for University/College Students: No
Courses for General Public: Yes
Education Programme: Yes
