- Wilma Jozwiak A few years ago, my husband and I spent a couple of weeks in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. While we were there, we spent two days at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, an amazing place with 295 acres of tidal shoreland. Along with masterfully designed gardens, including a magical Children’s Garden, acres of woodlands include areas where visitors are encouraged to build fairy houses. Admission is normally $16 for adults, but because we are members of the Landis Arboretum, we received reciprocal admission. When we visited the Garden’s Gift Shop, our Landis membership card granted us a 10% discount. Altogether, reciprocal admission and discounts at this beautiful garden easily offset the cost of our Landis membership – all this because Landis is a member of the American Horticultural Society. We are far from the only Landis members who have taken advantage of this benefit. Member and volunteer Steve Whitesell saved $14 admission when he visited the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois. Its 1,700 acres hold more than 222,000 live plants representing nearly 4,300 taxa from around the world, planned and planted to nurture and display trees and shrubs in environments conducive to their growth. Steve told us “it’s a fantastic public garden, large and very well maintained with a lavish education building and nice cafe. Very nice collection, with a prairie, forests and riparian landscapes.” In Columbus, Ohio, Landis Board member Nolan Marciniec visited the arboretum at Ohio State and the Franklin Conservatory, where he saved $14 on an adult admission and 10% at the gift shop. The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens showcase artfully designed gardens, exotic plant collections, and a renowned collection of bonsai. The Franklin boasts glass ceilings by Dale Chihuly and provides a unique opportunity to observe glass blowing at the “Hot Shop.” Thinking about his visit, Nolan said, “Perhaps the best thing was the smile on the faces and the warm welcome of those who admitted me at both places. That Landis membership opens doors -- and hearts.” Board Member Louise Polli and her family visited Winterthur in Delaware, during the Christmas holidays. “Admission to the Yule show would have cost $20 per person, but with our Arboretum membership, we paid nothing for a wonderful winter day”, Louise enthused. “The $50 we spent on our Landis family membership saved us $60, in addition to all the discounts we receive here in Esperance on plant sale purchases, educational programming, etc.” Louise believes the Reciprocal Admissions benefit has other advantages as well: “A gift of membership at the Arboretum is perfect for friends and families all over the United States, whether they take day trips with the kids or grandkids, travel seasonally as snowbirds, or vacation any time of year. It’s easy to check the listings of participating public gardens and arboreta to plan your next adventure, all while supporting the Landis Arboretum here at home.” We often hear from Landis members who deeply appreciate their Reciprocal Admissions benefit, including some who admit they first joined Landis Arboretum expressly for this benefit! If you are not a member, or have never used your Reciprocal Admissions benefit, you owe it to yourself to check it out. (Landis Volunteer Coordinator Anne Donnelly reminds us to keep our Landis membership cards tucked in our wallets. On more than one occasion, her family made unexpected visits to member gardens and Anne had forgotten her card!) The Reciprocal Admissions Program entitles you to admission privileges and discounts at 300 arboreta and gardens throughout North America and the Cayman Islands! Please visit the American Horticultural Society’s website at www.ahsgardening.org/gardening-programs/rap for more information. Next issue: look for an interview with horticulturist and longtime Arboretum member Amy Howansky, who has made frequent use of RAP in her many travels.
2 Comments
Anne Donnelly
10/19/2017 09:58:33 pm
And this weekend I'm going to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden where there is a Dale Chihuly exhibit and you can be I'll have my card!!!
Reply
CommComm Team
10/20/2017 05:16:20 am
We will look forward to pictures, Anne!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |