Genevieve Green Gardens at Ewing Manor, Illinois State University Foundations

The Genevieve Green Gardens are a collaborative project involving the Illinois State University Foundation, Illinois State University, and the Fell Arboretum.

The gardens are named in honor of Genevieve Carlock Green, who died in 1995. Her devoted husband, Bruce V. Green, bequeathed $5.9 million to build a garden in tribute to his wife, who had a profound love of flowers and nature.

The four objectives for the Genevieve Green Gardens at Ewing Cultural Center are:

To create a memorable and aesthetically appealing landscape.
To create and enhance a landscape that supports the mission and use of the Ewing Cultural Center.
To create opportunities for student, faculty, and community involvement in cultivating plants and designing floral displays.
To continue to grow the garden, broaden its scope, and enhance the image and resources of Illinois State University.

The gardens in many ways are an outdoor classroom and laboratory that University faculty use to support instruction for the benefit of students. The gardens are used by Illinois State’s College of Applied Science and Technology (particularly the horticulture program), the College of Arts and Sciences, the Fell Arboretum, and local gardening groups. They also support Illinois State’s educational mission by creating learning and employment opportunities for student workers, graduate assistants, and interns.

View an artist rendering of the Master Plan for the Gardens.