Statement of Significance (as of designation - December 8, 1976):
Established in 1859, this is the oldest functioning botanical garden in the country. Its founder, Henry Shaw (1800-1889), intended the 75 acre garden to serve two functions: to provide the public with the ornamental delights of plants as well as educating the average citizen in basic botany and horticulture; and to serve the pure or basic science objective of conducting botanical research according to the highest standards of the discipline.

Condition:
The Henry Shaw townhouse (moved to the property per Shaw's will) was sandblasted to remove paint from the masonry. The SHPO provided NPS Preservation Briefs and technical assistance. The setting of the botanical garden is being compromised through selective purchase and demolition of nearby properties to construct a large research center, an off-site education center and parking lots. Demolition of properties in the neighborhood has removed much of the visual buffer between the residential community surrounding the botanical garden and a nearby highway. Recent actions: The Herb Garden renovation was completed in Fall 2003. Renovation of the Shoenberg Administration Building was completed in March 2004, with tuckpointing, terra cotta repair, window painting, gutter repair, and some roof replacement. The lake outflow structure for the Japanese Garden was replaced in August 2004. The Tower Grove House received a new roof in 2004 and the interior will be restored in the near future. Work began on a two-acre Children's Garden in September 2004. Plans for the construction of an Ottoman and George Washington Carver Garden, slated for 2005, have begun.

The Herb Garden renovation was completed in Fall 2003. Renovation of the Shoenberg Administration Building was completed in March 2004, with tuckpointing, terra cotta repair, window painting, gutter repair, and some roof replacement. The lake outflow structure for the Japanese Garden was replaced in August 2004. The Tower Grove House received a new roof in 2004 and the interior will be restored in the near future. Work began on a two-acre Children's Garden in September 2004. Plans for the construction of an Ottoman and George Washington Carver Garden, slated for 2005, have begun.