Gardening and the Agricultural Course

Boys enrolled in the Agricultural Course at Loomis studied kitchen gardening, greenhouse vegetable gardening, field crops, and market gardening as part of their required curriculum. This photograph from 1916 shows students at work in the field south of the William H. Loomis Dining Hall, possibly on independent projects they undertook for credit.

 

Community Garden Plots

Faculty and staff put their green thumbs to work this summer in community garden plots near the Hubbard Music Center. In 1941, faculty gardens flourished nearby, just south of the theater. The Alumni Bulletin of that summer announced, “Messrs. Whitehead, Hoskins, and Fowles [are] vying for the agricultural crown.”

 

The Plantation Reforestation Group

The Plantation Reforestation Group planted and cared for trees in many parts of the Island under the enthusiastic leadership of science teacher Howard Norris. Begun in the months just before America entered World War II, the group is responsible for many of the trees seen on campus today including the stand of pines west of Sellers Field.

 

“Spring” by Evelyn Longman

Evelyn Longman designed this stone medallion, “Spring” for the garden between Palmer and Mason Halls. A companion medallion on Palmer’s north side features winter-themed pinecones. Gardens designed to complement each medallion were planted for Palmer’s opening in 1938.

 

Arnold’s Garden Design

This 1917 view of the Headmaster’s Garden features noted landscape architect Sheffield A. Arnold’s original design. Dense plantings of roses and other perennials, and small hedgerows grew within rigid geometric lines of the formal garden plan.

 

The Japanese Garden

The Japanese Garden, tucked into the west side of the Clark Science Center, serves as a peaceful respite from busy campus life. Installed in 2009, the garden, its stepped waterfall, a pond stocked with fish, and a pergola are hidden treasures on the Island.