Unearthing a Legacy: The Restoration of Hadwen's Arboretum

Obadiah Brown Hadwen was born on August 2nd in Providence, Rhode Island to Charles Hadwen, and Amy Brownell. He moved to Worcester in 1835.

Aged 19, Obadiah Hadwen acquired "Magnolia Farm", from his parents. The land was described as a "bleak and bare hillside, over which the winds swept unobstructed", though would later become a "beautiful country homestead, surrounded by heavy belts of evergreen and other trees on the exposed sides". Over the course of his sixty-four years there, he planted over 100 tree species and plants; including 15 species of Magnolia.

Hadwen marries his wife, Harriet L. Page, and they live together in Magnolia Farm. She passed away in November 1901 at the age of 76. Together, they have three children; Amie, Charles, and William.

Hadwen used the farm to open "Elmwood Nurseries" from at least 1858-1868, cultivating a range plants including ornamental trees, shrubs, grape vines, gooseberries, asparagus, and "a few good cows"! Hadwen used the property for nursery management, arboriculture, and commercial dairying. For many years, he was amongst the leading milk producers in Worcester.

At the fifty-sixth annual Cattle and Horse Fair, Hadwen brings thirty-seven plates of apples, and thirteen plates of pears of various varieties grown at the arboretum. Remnants of the orchard can still be found today, located in from the road, half way along the property boundary with May street.

"The following list (image above) is arranged alphabetically for convenience of reference and for economy of space. The names are those given in the last edition of Gray’s Manual, although several of them have been changed since the last revision of that work; e. g., rhodora Canadensis should now be rhododendron rhodora, though its pretty common name is still retained, and the azaleas are both put into the genus rhododendron also. Several other changes have been made, but the old names are those which are to be found as yet in most of the books. Some of our list have come from the far north, e. g., the paper birth, the snowberry, &c. Others are more abundant further south. Within our small limits many genera are very well represented, as the oaks, the cornels, viburnums, &c. They are worth looking at as they pass by.”

-Hadwen in an article in the Worcester Natural History Society

Millbury, Oct. 20, 1882.

Having been a member of the Worcester County Horticultural Society, Hadwen is elected to serve as president of the society. He retains this position until his death in 1907.

Hadwen lectures at the Massachusetts Horticultural Society on his arboreal work at Magnolia Farm; "A Half-Century's Experience with Ornamental Tree Planting". He talks of his connection to the trees he planted on the estate and his dreams that they may "outlive generations of men, and remain prominent landmarks as time goes on".

In his lecture, he reflects on the changes his estate underwent. Initially, most of the land was used for pasture, but as ornamental tree planting increased in popularity in the last half-century, he started planting a variety of trees. Popular trees for ornamental planting were elm and maple; Hadwen planted around 20 species of maple including Sugar, Japanese and Norwegian. He considered Magnolias to be one of the most "magnificent trees for ornamental planting" and had about 15 varieties on the farm. Some other species he planted were tulip, beech, fir, the sweetgum tree, yellowood, black walnut, oak, hickory, and spruce.

Hadwen passes away at the age of 83, bequeathing Magnolia Farm to Clark University, as well as $1,000 for continued “arboreal and agricultural education". Upon his death, he was trustee to the Worcester County Agricultural Society, chairman of the Board of the Agricultural College at Amherst, commissioner of Public Parks in Worcester, and member of Massachusetts Agricultural Club and the American Pomological Society.

Clark University President Hall entrusts Dr. Hodge to conduct a study on the space, who finds the estate has one of the "finest collection of trees, native and exotic, that exists in New England", including horticultural shrubs and vines, as well as perennial flowers. He notes that "probably the finest specimens of Actinidia arguta (The hardy kiwi, a perennial vine native to East Asia) on the American Continent exist here". He also writes the whole collection can be made "a most valuable center of information and instruction in the practice of horticulture and arboriculture."

The board of trustees vote to allow Dr. Porter, a Clark faculty member from the biology department, to live in Magnolia Farm and re-roof and paint the property. Over the course of the next decade, the farm houses many animals for Dr. Porter's research on Animal Behavior. These included pigeons, parrots, spiders, squirrels, bees, quail, and a pair of alligators that, unfortunately, didn't make it through the New England winter. In 1909, The board of trustees voted to appropriate $150 for maintenance of the Arboretum for Dr. Porter's continued studies on animal behavior.

A porcupine, that had been "trained to do a number of tricks and stunts" by Professor Potter escapes from the Arboretum!

Upon the request of Dr. Porter, and recommendation of Arthur Estabrook, Clark University employs a caretaker to look after the arboretum to manage the trails, trees, and fences. The caretaker lives in the Arboretum, at 198 Lovell St. In a letter to President Hall, Arthur Estabrook writes that the trustees "have decided to develop the place and have engaged a good man as gardener and have told him to have the old barn removed." This is the last known record of the barn opposite Hadwen's home on Magnolia Farm. Meanwhile, letters between Dr. Porter and President Hall document roof leaks, plumbing repairs, window and door repairs, and a leaking basement in Hadwen's original home.

Upon finding that the university was losing around 50% of the money annually invested in the Arboretum, Arthur Estabrook proposed that the university lease a portion of the Arboretum to the City of Worcester for use as a park, and retain the two properties to rent to students and faculty. There is no further documentation on this proposal after 1913.

In a letter to Mr Dewey, Louis Wilson documents the use of the Arboretum as a farm for use by Clark's cafeteria over the past decade. Produce included Apples, Rhubarb, Potatoes, Onions, Beets, Tomatoes, Cabbages, Carrots, Cauliflower, Squash, Parsnips, and Turnips.

Upon the request of President Atwood, the Clark Biology Department submits a proposal for improvements to the Arboretum. Among other recommendations, they include a full tree inventory, undergrowth clearing, and the reinstatement of a full-time caretaker. In October, the Board of Trustees vote in favor of labelling every tree and shrub to "increase the usefulness of the Hadwen Arboretum."

Professors Potter and Cowles submit a reiteration of the recommendations made by the Biology department. This recommendation adds that new plantings should be made in the Arboretum.

Amie Coes, daughter of Obadiah Hadwen bequeathes an additional eight acres of land abutting the Arboretum to Clark. This links Hadwen's original tract of land to Englewood Avenue, thus connecting the property to a network of trails by Coes reservoir. Amie was married to John Coes, of the Coes Wrench Company.

The Hadwen Botanical Club is founded, presided by Dr. David Potter. The purpose of the club was to study and collect local flora, discuss subjects of botanical interest, and develop the Hadwen Arboretum. Over the course of The Hadwen Botanical Club's twenty year lifespan, the club hosted field trips, lectures and workshops.

The Hadwen Botanical Club hosts an anniversary dinner. The menu was written with the latin names for all the food and included a lecture from Dr. Walter Hodge, a local botanist.

Clark trustees approved the loan of a five acre plot on Hadwen Hill to the Worcester Victory Garden Committee, in aid of rationing efforts during World War II.

President Jefferson asks Drs Potter, Warman, and Roope to form a committee assessing the value of the land. Their report emphasized the importance of the Arboretum land and, among other things, proposed constructing dormitories, restoring and maintaining prominent trees and plants, and mutually beneficial collaborations that could be made with nearby Fairlawn Hospital.

Brad Calloway, Susan Gallagher, and Liz Moran publish a preliminary report on the state of the Arboretum, writing that "what was originally an intelligently planted showplace of valuable botanical specimens has become a dense maze of struggling vegetation" with many original trees and shrubs dead or dying. They recommend the entire area be restored to an arboretum using the Arnold Arboretum for inspiration and new specimens.

An evaluation of the Arboretum concerning rare or valuable trees is conducted by Drs. Brigham and Prince. They map 27 acres, and reiterate that the area be restored to an Arboretum status due to its immense potential and intrinsic value.

Hurricane Bob destroyed at least 35 of the Arboretum's trees in 1991. The most significant loss was the Red Oak, pictured, seven feet in diameter.

A study is conducted on community use of the Hadwen Arboretum by Clark University students Jane Allegra Heye, Sam Morrison, Rachel Sensenig, and Lechuan Wang. The study included a community survey, and highlighted the Hadwen Arboretum's transition from a scientific research base, to its current perception as a community park. Results showed that community use of the Arboretum was limited to the occasional dog walker. Authors recommend re-building trails, and reinvestment in the space from Clark, adding that this would also improve Clark's relationship with the surrounding community.

Clark Hadwen Arboretum Society Trees Club (HAS Trees) is established to "speak for the trees of the Hadwen Arboretum" by planning walks, and programs in the arboretum to help create value for the space. In 2013, the club is renamed "The Arboretum Advocates". The club's activity support leads to the installation of information kiosks at the top of Hadwen Hill and corner of May and Lovell Street in 2017.

Sam Mix, who helped write the study on community use in the Arboretum in 2011 documents a strategic plan for the Arboretum which includes a need for basic maintenance, and the continued generation of value in the space. In 2014, he wrote a supplemental paper recommending maintenance and removal of dead, dying, and invasive tree species.

Having been re-roofed in 2013, 198 Lovell Street, in the corner of the Hadwen Arboretum, is demolished due to insurmountable maintenance costs.

Clark student Galen Oettel conducts a study on the impacts of mowing groundcover in the Arboretum, finding species diversity and prevalence of native cover was significantly lower after mowing. Recommendations include preserving understory health through the designation of undisturbed areas and restricting mowing to winter dormancy. He notes that planting efforts remain crucial to provide the next generation of trees.

An article,  Heroes of the Hadwen , was published in February 2024 in Clark University's Magazine, ClarkNOW. It delves into the role Clark students and faculty have diligently played over the last few years to make it more known, walkable, and an important part of the local community.

In early March 2025, Eagle Scout Alfonso Huaman upgraded the Outdoor Classroom. The classroom has ten benches, with a rope enclosing the classroom and a sign to denote the Outdoor Classroom (see image above).