The Matthaei Botanical Gardens

Ann Arbor’s Peaceful Gardens

By Robert Hwang

A bonsai garden alongside a collection of cacti and over four miles of trails. These are all part of the experience at The University of Michigan’s Frederick C. Matthaei Sr. Botanical Gardens. Now among the most prominent in the state, the gardens have bloomed from humble beginnings over the past century thanks to the man they are named after (“Matthaei Botanical Gardens Trail”).

The Matthaei Botanical Gardens include “a Michigan woodland wildflower garden and shade, perennial, and rose gardens,” a garden that “features medicinal and culinary herbs,” and greenhouses and conservatories with “tropical, warm temperature, and desert plant species” (“Matthaei Botanical Gardens”).

“Conservatory at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens.” Photo courtesy: mbgna.umich.edu

This makes them an essential location for UM botanical research, as well as lectures and field trips for local students and the general public (“A Century of Growing”). Additionally, they provide more than gardens, including “nature trails, woodlands, wetlands, ponds, [and] a tall grass prairie” (“Matthaei Botanical Gardens”).

In 1957, Frederick C. Matthaei Sr. donated two hundred acres of his land to add to the university’s eighty-acre gardens that were created in 1907 (“A Century of Growing;” “Strategic Plan”). According to an article celebrating a century of gardens on UM’s campus, the donation, plus additional funding and smaller land grants, permitted a significant developmental project from 1959-1965 to build a “complex of greenhouses, laboratories, classrooms, and offices,” as well as the parking lot, Willow Pond, and trails along Fleming Creek. The gardens could then “provide a diverse array of ecosystems for field study with nearly one thousand species of higher plants” for University courses, researchers, and local botany organizations. By 1969, UM Regents decided to name the much-developed gardens after their most essential donor, and in the 1990s, as visitation increased, specialized gardens were added (“A Century of Growing”).

Frederick Carl Matthaei. Photo courtesy: michigansportshof.org

The name behind the gardens is Frederick Carl Matthaei Sr., who has dedicated considerable time and wealth to help his hometown community and alma mater. According to a New York Times obituary, he was born in Detroit and attended UM, going on to found the American Metals Products Company in 1917 and retiring in 1958. For his alma mater, he endowed two scholarships, constructed a chapel at the University Hospital, and donated eight hundred acres of land- two hundred for the gardens, six hundred for a golf course (“Frederick Carl Matthaei”). Additionally, he served as a Michigan Regent from 1960-1967 (“Regent of the University of Michigan”). For his hometown, he spearheaded the construction of the Matthaei Physical Education and Recreation Building at Wayne State University, representing “the first major step in Wayne State's physical education building program” (Weiss). Also, according to the NYT obituary, he was the director of Detroit Bank, trustee of the Evangelical Home for Children and the Aged, and chairman of the Detroit Olympic Committee (“Frederick Carl Matthaei”). He passed away on March 26, 1973, at eighty years old.

The Matthaei Botanical Gardens represent what Frederick and Matthaei mean as names. According to The Bump, Frederick has German origins, means “peaceful ruler,” and comes from Friedrich, where frid means “peace” and ric means “ruler.” This fits Frederick Matthaei Sr., who “ruled” as a founder, regent, and chairman, and through his donation to the gardens, has allowed for the creation of the most peaceful spot at UM. According to The Internet Surname Database, the Matthaei name is rare today but was more common in medieval times in different forms. It’s believed to derive “from the Hebrew male given name ‘Mattathiah’ meaning ‘gift of the Lord’” (“Last Name: Matthai”). This definition indicates someone who benefits a large number of people, and this accurately represents Frederick Matthaei. His company created jobs, his donations and endowments have supported generations of UM students, and his estate gifted for the gardens has spread joy and knowledge to students, faculty, and the public for over a century.

The Matthaei Botanical Gardens have transformed since its humble beginning over a century ago through donations and development projects. Now, they provide everything anyone could need for research, internships, or enjoyment, largely thanks to Frederick Matthaei Sr.’s donation seven decades ago (“Strategic Plan”). In a college city like Ann Arbor, it’s a relief to have such an extensive, naturally beautiful attraction nearby.

Works Cited

“Conservatory at Matthaei Botanical Gardens.” Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, https://mbgna.umich.edu/matthaei-

botanical-gardens/conservatory/. Accessed 5 Apr. 2023.

“Frederick Carl Matthaei.” Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, https://michigansportshof.org/inductee/frederick-carl-matthaei/. Accessed 5 Apr.

2023.

“Frederick Matthaei Sr. Dies.” New York Times, 27 Mar. 1973, p. 50.

“Gardens & Displays at Matthaei.” Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, https://mbgna.umich.edu/matthaei-botanical-

gardens/gardens/.

“Last Name: Matthai.” The Internet Surname Database, https://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Matthai.

Lawler, Emma. “Frederick.” The Bump, 31 Mar. 2023, https://www.thebump.com/b/frederick-baby-name.

"Matthaei Botanical Gardens." The Michigan Companion: A Guide to the Arts, Entertainment, Festivals, Food, Geography, Geology,

Government, History, Holidays, Industry, Institutions, Media, People, Philanthropy, Religion, and Sports of the Great State of Michigan, edited by Arthur M. Woodford, Omnigraphics, 2012, p. 439. Gale eBooks, link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX2769400744/GVRL?u=umuser&sid=bookmark-GVRL&xid=93e4b4a. Accessed 3 Apr. 2023.

“Perennial Garden.” Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, https://mbgna.umich.edu/matthaei-botanical-gardens/gardens/.

Accessed 5 Apr. 2023.

“Strategic Plan.” Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, https://mbgna.umich.edu/strategic-plan/.

Weiss, Jeff. “On This Date - Construction Began on the Matthaei Building.” Wayne State University Athletics, 15 June 2020. https://wsuathletics.com/news/2020/6/15/general- on-this-date-construction-began-on-the-matthaei-building.aspx.

“We're Turning 100.” 2007.

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