Botanical gardens are always a draw for Jon and I when traveling. And Springfield, Missouri’s gardens were so much of a treat, we visited twice. While our daughter was busy helping the grandkids with their school work, we explored Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park on Tuesday, April 4, a gloomy cloudy day, and then again on a sunny Saturday morning April 8, 2023, with the family minus one teen.

Springfield–Greene County Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park

The botanical center is a good place to start a visit. It includes restrooms, a water fountain, a gift shop, and information about the gardens. The Lois K. Boswell Memorial Botanical Reference Library, community rooms, and Wi-Fi are also located here.

Pre-schoolers might like the Garden Story Time, and the Summer Nature School will keep school-aged kids busy with activities and learning experiences. Check the website for daily and seasonal hours open. The grounds and gardens are open every day from sunrise to sunset.

Dedicated in 2001, Lake Drummond is a popular place for people walking or jogging along the 7/10-mile loop trail that encircles the lake. Hidden gardens and lake views guarantee something of interest every few feet or so.

Sit next to the sculpture of Anne Drummond for a few minutes to contemplate the world as birds and pollinating insects fly around the native plant species.

Have a bit of stress to release? The sounds of water flowing and birds chirping may have those tense muscles relaxing in no time.

Gray-Campbell Farmstead

Jon and I missed the Gray-Campbell Farmstead during our first visit, so we wandered over there with Laura, Jackson, and Natty the dog.

The house is one of the oldest still standing in Springfield, Mo. Built in 1856, by James Price Gray. He sold it to his brother-in-law, John Polk Campbell, nephew and name-sake of Springfield’s founder. According to the Gray Campbell Farmstead website, inside furnishings include one room filled with beds adorned with quilts. A table and chairs, photographs, a spinning wheel, fill another room some of which are authentic and others replicas. Another table displays marbles, buttons, bottles, utensils, and nails, found during an archaeological dig at the original site of the home.

The log cabin was built from hand-cut logs and mud chinking during the 1840s in Spring Creek Mill (now named Hurley). It was once used as a family home until a larger home was constructed. Once the family moved to the house, they used the log cabin as a kitchen to protect the main house from fire. Built from hand-cut logs and mud chinking

Laura, Jackson, and Natty found the grape demonstration vineyards where professors and researchers of the viticulture program at Missouri State oversee their maintenance. Another plot of vineyards is east of the Peace through People Pavilion.

The actual family cemetery is in another location. This is a mock-up of where and how the cemetery might have looked.

The barn was donated, dismantled, and rebuilt by Amish workers from Marshfield and completed in the summer of 1991. Inside is a wagon and various historic farm tools.

The Liberty School operated from the mid-1800s until 1951 when it was consolidated with the Fair Grove district. Renovations were made to the structure after it moved to the garden, using the current building and ADA codes. The blackboard, bell tower, and many of the desks are the same as those used during the school’s active life, giving it an air of authenticity.

The house and farm buildings are open from April to October during some weekends and for special events.

Peace through People Pavilion

The pavilion includes pillars with the “Let there be Peace on Earth” inscribed in English, Spanish, Japanese, and Arabic. The benches are adorned with peace symbols such as the universal dove, the turtle of the South Pacific, and the lion and the lamb of the Middle East. Created with Missouri marble from a local quarry, the space offers another place for quiet reflection, tranquility, and connecting with nature.

Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden

In the mood for something even more tranquil? Head over to the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden. The 7.5-acre traditional Japanese garden was established in 1986 as a partnership with Springfield Sister Cities Association and Springfield’s sister city in Isesaki, Japan.

Walk along the winding path through mature landscaping and around three small lakes. Peek in the ceremonial teahouse, cross the moon bridge, and spend time in the meditation garden.

This garden is only open from April through October. There is a fee of $5 for adults and $3 for children aged 3-11 years, as of the blog post publication date.

With so many different gardens to explore, this botanical wonderland will be a delight to visit once a month or even more often to see how the flowers and plants and trees change throughout the seasons.

Next up: We visit Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company and take a tour.

Safe Travels