Lockerly Arboretum
In 1965, E.J. Grassmann, an amateur horticulturalist and self-taught naturalist, founded Lockerly Arboretum in Milledgeville, Georgia. Mr. Grassman loved Baldwin County, and created the Arboretum as a gift to the community that he loved so much.
Today, Lockerly continues to honor this gift by keeping the Arboretum free and open to the public. On 50 beautiful acres, this nonprofit establishment provides a serene environment for appreciation and learning. As a Level II Accredited Arboretum, Lockerly has established the Woods museum, which features a 301-year-old section of bald cypress and a variety of State Champion trees. Along with 50 acres of stunning gardens, a pond, and multiple walking trails, there is a 1-mile nature trail that shows off a stunning array of flora.
Lockerly Arboretum is also home to Rose Hill, an 1852 Greek Revival mansion that has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 2017. The antebellum structure was built as the home of Judge Daniel Tucker when Milledgeville was still Georgia’s state capital.
Lockerly’s educational programs include workshops for all ages, as well as programs for adults with intellectual disabilities from Baldwin County’s Life Enrichment Center. All student programs comply with requirements for Eagle Scout badges, Georgia Performance Standards, and Master Gardener certifications. Over 5,000 students studying soil science, water ecology, biology, and more are served annually, both on site and at a 200-acre tract of land in Putnam County called the Oliver N. Worley Outdoor Education Center.
Today and into the future, Lockerly Arboretum will persist in its mission to inspire appreciation and understanding of nature, horticulture, and heritage.
