When referring to the Morris Arboretum & Gardens’ Garden Railway, Radclyffe “Mike” Thompson, C’67, says, “It is very, very cleverly done.”
On the Right Track
Garden Railway Gift to Establish a New “Chestnut Hill Station” at Morris Arboretum & Gardens
Published: November 15, 2023
Longtime Morris members Mike and his wife Maria, Gr’80, have recently made a $300,000 commitment to build a new train station at the Garden Railway that will serve as the hub for the staff and volunteers who keep the trains running. Their gift will also establish an endowment to ensure ongoing upkeep and maintenance for the new structure that will replace the tent where visitors often find the trainmaster answering visitors’ questions or replacing parts on trains to keep them running.
The 2023 season marks the 25th anniversary of the Garden Railway. What was originally envisioned as a temporary exhibit has turned into one of the most-visited areas of the garden. Having a new building to support this exhibit and the people who make it possible is intended to ensure another quarter-century of delight for visitors of all ages.
Maria, who is an architectural historian, remarked on the Morris Arboretum & Gardens’ engagement of multiple generations. She mentioned the Out on a Limb tree canopy walk and the Garden Railway as key opportunities for two—often three—generations to equally enjoy the experience.
Mike names a key ingredient for this effect. “The buildings (in the exhibit) were designed and made to be accurate but only accurate to a point—a point of whimsy.” The couple agrees that the new train station that will be human-scale (not G-scale like the Garden Railway display) will add to the whimsy with a playful design that is inspired by the landmark Chestnut Hill West Station newsstand on Germantown Avenue.
The Thompsons have been friends of Morris Arboretum & Gardens since the late 1970s. Maria was first to become involved through her garden club, The Weeders, and through her service as treasurer for the Herb Society. Mike enjoyed sharing walks with Maria early on, and his affiliation grew over the years by taking courses at Morris, including Rose Pruning and Lawn Maintenance. In more recent years, the two have traveled to Scotland and New Zealand on Morris-sponsored trips. Both are current members of the Directors’ Guild and Mike serves on the Development Committee and Maria serves on the Horticulture Committee.
Visitors of all ages will find great joy in this new feature that will take the Garden Railway operations to a new level.
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This story originally appeared in the Fall/Winter 2023 edition of Seasons magazine.
