Since its official opening twenty years ago, the Arboretum has grown into an inspirational living landscape where families, friends and comrades can celebrate lives lived and remember lives lost. Much has changed since 2001, however our purpose remains the same: to be the Nation’s year-round place to remember, an inspirational, world-class setting freely open to all.
This year, we are celebrating our history and laying out our plans and ambitions for the future. We are making three pledges in which we commit to continue to engage people in Remembrance, adopt and advocate for sustainable practices, and nurture a space that is inclusive and accessible to all. As we look towards the future, we commit to uphold these pledges as we cultivate a time and place where people can reunite, rejoice and remember.
Since planting began at the Arboretum over 20 years ago many people have contributed to our story, from our founders with a germ of an idea, to each of the 300,000 visitors we now welcome to site each year.
To mark the 20th Anniversary of our official opening we are sharing the stories of just some of those connected with our 150-acre site.
