Arboretum History
Arboretum History
A concrete building with large glass windows sits built into the side of a hill. A large open lawn rests in front of the building. Some small conifer saplings are planted into the lawn at the base of the picture.

The O.A.C. Centennial Arboretum Centre

Header image: Sheridan Teaching Collection of Evergreens in front of the Arboretum Centre, 1974

The O.A.C. Centennial Arboretum Centre was opened in 1974 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Ontario Agricultural College. Staying true to the vision of The Arboretum, Architect Raymond Moriyama designed The Arboretum Centre to blend into its surroundings to allow visitors’ attention to be drawn to nature. Yet this building is constantly full of activity because it is the administrative headquarters of The Arboretum. This building holds Arboretum staff offices, a large auditorium, meeting rooms, a private garden nook and much more.

A concrete building with large glass windows sits built into the side of a hill. A large open lawn rests in front of the building. Some small conifer saplings are planted into the lawn at the base of the picture.

The Sheridan Teaching Collection of Evergreens, now part of the O.A.C. ’56 Park in the Garden, in front of the O.A.C. Centennial Arboretum Centre, 1974.

A concrete and wood building is built sunken into a hillside. The side of the hill is dotted with saplings.

The Arboretum Centre as seen from the Centre Forest, 1974.

Four tables with chairs are spaced around a room. On the back wall, a wall-to-wall bookshelf is filled with books. A large plant sits in the back right corner of the room.

Office in the Arboretum Centre, 1974 (Photo by At Guelph Vol. 6, Issue 1).

O.A.C. Centennial Arboretum Centre

O.A.C. Centennial Arboretum Centre seen from the West Lawn, looking northeast.

A group of people sit and stand in a large room for a program or event. There are adults and young children mixing about the room.

People gather in the Arboretum Centre.

In front of a concrete building with large windows is a pond covered with lilypads and reeds. The pond is surrounded by a wooden fence with hanging baskets of pink flowers.

Reflecting pond in front of the Arboretum Centre, 1997.

A concrete building with large windows has a small pond in front of it. The pond is surrounded by concrete. Two stones and a metal statue of a bird are placed near the pond.

Front entrance of the Arboretum Centre.

A pond sits in front of a concrete building with large windows. Wooden benches sit along the sit of the pond.

Autumn, 1998 (Photo by Bob Liptrap).

A concrete building with large windows sits to the right of a large green lawn. Green plants climb up the awning of the building. A forest with tall green trees sits behind the building.

Autumn, 1998 by (Photo by Bob Liptrap).

A group of adults and children stand at the edge of a pond in front of a concrete building with large glass windows. The three children kneel, looking closely at the pond. The adults stand nearby, watching the children and the pond's surface.

People outside of the Arboretum Centre, 1983.

This is a sampling of some of the many photos that have been taken and people that have been a part of The Arboretum’s 50 years of operations. Do you have some photos you would like to share? Upload them to our Arboretum History Kudoboard.

The land where The Arboretum now grows has been home to plants and animals for thousands of years. It was home to Indigenous peoples before settlers arrived. We recognize the Dish with One Spoon territory, the treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Between the Lakes Treaty 3 lands on which the University of Guelph and The Arboretum now sit. We are honoured to work on and care for this land.