Polly Hill Arboretum

CONTACT:

PO Box 561
West Tisbury, MA 02575
(508) 693-9426
pollyhillarboretum.org

Stephen A. Sponberg, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

In 1957, Mary Louisa “Polly” Hill, an expert amateur horticulturist, began experimentally to plant seeds of interesting trees and shrubs from all over the world (e.g., magnolias, stewartias, camellias, dogwoods) on her 60-acre former sheep farm on Martha’s Vineyard. Hers was pioneering work, extending the growing zones of various taxa to the benefit of our region’s horticulture. Some of her successes, the most famous of which are the “North Tisbury” azaleas, were introduced to the nursery industry, and Polly acquired a world-wide reputation, winning many horticultural awards and honors.

Dr. David H. Smith, whose research led to the creation of the Hib vaccine against Hepatitis B virus in children, realized that Polly’s magnificent arboretum must be preserved for educational and horticultural research purposes, and with the help of his own private foundation it was, as conservation land. The Arboretum was incorporated in 1996 and opened to the public in 1998. You can help with financial support to develop a full range of educational programs, for children and adults alike.

(2000: NATURE: Environmental Education)