Garden Celebrates Founder's 209th Birthday

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Missouri Botanical Garden founder Henry Shaw’s 209th birthday celebration will take place July 24 at the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Take advantage of the old man’s birthday by getting free admission from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to the Garden and the Doris I. Schnuck Children’s Garden.

Throughout the day a variety of events will take place. In the memory of the era in which Shaw lived, old-fashioned entertainment including music, a silhouette artist, a stilt-walker, a magician, actors in Victorian fashions and children’s games will set up throughout the day. Keep an eye out for "Henry Shaw" who will be strolling the grounds all day talking to guests.

Also the afternoon will include some petal power in the form of the Petal Pedal bike race. For free, travel all or part of the five-mile Bike St. Louis route from the Missouri Botanical Garden to nearby Tower Grove Park. Like the Missouri Botanical Garden, the area of Tower Grove Park was also established by Shaw. The race is open to all ages and registration is between 10 and 11 a.m. in the Garden’s east parking lot.

The Garden's gates will close at 5 p.m. in preparation for the later events. Evening activities will be highlighted by the “Three Stars over the Garden” lawn concert. The event gets its name from the three St. Louis stars it honors; Shaw, the Garden’s president Dr. Peter Raven and “The Father of Rock and Roll” Chuck Berry who is also the concert’s main act.  All three have stars on the St. Louis Walk of Fame.  Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the concert begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are required for the concert and range between $60 and $50 dollars.

photo courtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden