The Dawes Arboretum in Ohio

Inspired by their love for trees and nature, Beman and Bertie Dawes founded The Dawes Arboretum on their Licking County, Ohio, property in 1929.

Beman had worked in the family lumber industry as a young man, and as his passion for and knowledge of trees grew, so did his desire to share what he had learned with the public. As a self-taught naturalist and gardener, Bertie also was eager to educate others about the natural world. Their collaborative efforts inspired the creation of The Dawes Arboretum.

	Family Tree Beman Gates Dawes: (1870-1953) Named after his grandfather, Beman Gates, Beman Dawes was the third of six children born to Rufus R. and Mary Gates Dawes in Marietta, Ohio. Beman Dawes became a leader in the gas and petroleum industry in Central Ohio. In 1914, he was the founding president of The Ohio Cities Gas Co., which was later known as The Pure Oil Co. The Arboretum was established, in large part, with his earnings from Pure Oil. Bertie Burr Dawes: (1872-1958) Bertie was the second of four children of Carlos C. Burr and Mary Smith Burr. She was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska. When she was 18, Bertie saved two women from drowning and was awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal for her heroic deed. On October 3, 1894, she married Beman Dawes. They raised five children who later became founding trustees of The Dawes Arboretum. Bertie, a self-taught naturalist, had many passions, including gardening, fishing, bird-watching, photography and shell and butterfly collecting. *Strong Roots* William Dawes: Beman's great-great grandfather rode with Paul Revere. Rev. Dr. Manasseh Cutler: Beman's great-great grandfather helped draft the Ordinance of 1787 and was one of the founders of Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. Inspired by horticulture, he wrote one of the earliest works on plant life in New England. Rufus R. Dawes: Beman's father and a civil war veteran served with the "Iron Brigade." He operated a wholesale lumber business in Marietta and served one term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Charles Dawes: Beman's oldest brother was co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for 1925. He served as Vice President of the United States under President Calvin Coolidge from 1925-1929. Carlos C. Burr: Bertie's father was an attorney and served as Mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska. He also served as a State Senator.
	Daweswood House Museum The Daweswood House Museum was originally the home of John Brumback, a farmer and blacksmith, and his family. John designed the brick farmhouse in 1866-1867, relying heavily on elements of the then-popular Italianate style of architecture. During 1917-1918, the Dawes Family purchased 140 acres of the Brumback Family property, including the 50-year-old brick farmhouse as their country home. In the late 1920s, they modernized the house and made structural changes to better suit their needs. Today, ten rooms of the Daweswood House Museum display 19th and 20th century antiques and memorabilia from four of the Dawes Family's five homes. The museum reflects the lifestyle and collecting interests of the family, who lived comfortably among the things they enjoyed. Upon returning from a trip to Germany, the family named the lower level of the house the "Rathskeller." That area houses shovels used by 102 notable men and women who dedicated trees at The Arboretum. Early tree dedicators initialed the Rathskeller ceiling with soot from a burning candle. Because of space limitation, more recent dedicators have signed the ceiling with a marking pen. *Living History* Guided tours of the museum are given on Saturdays and Sundays at 3:15pm. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children ages 12 and younger. Tours also are available by appointment; please call the Education Director at 740.323.2355 to schedule. Group tours can be arranged with prior notice. Built in the early 1920s as a parking garage for Beman's automobiles, the History Center is the starting point for Daweswood House Museum tours. The building was enlarged in 1954 and then renovated from 1983-84 by a Licking County Joint Vocational School class. The structure houses The Dawes Arboretum History Department offices.
	Tree Dedication Seeing a century-old tree that was planted at a country estate in England to commemorate the allied victory at the Battle of Waterloo inspired Beman Dawes to develop a tree dedication program at The Dawes Arboretum. Since 1927, there have been 102 tree dedications at The Arboretum. Tree dedicators at Dawes are chosen by The Arboretum Board of Trustees to honor individuals or groups with outstanding achievement in the stream of human history or events of significance to The Arboretum. A bronze plaque located at the base of the selected tree shows dedicated to, dedicated by and accomplishments. Notable dedicators have included: Colonel John H. Glenn Jr., Jesse Owens, Jack Hanna and Orville Wright. Click here to see all tree dedicators.
	Historic Photographs Photographs of our past promote understanding and enjoyment of the present. Enjoy this compilation of pictures which documents points of interest in time, in lives and in families.