History

A group of community members began the search for a suitable location to create a botanical garden for the Williamsburg area in 2002. The group formed a Board of Directors and they considered over a dozen sites. 

In September 2003, Hurricane Isabel caused significant damage to Freedom Park. The Williamsburg Botanical Garden Board began discussions with James City County “JCC” regarding the use of an area in the park that the hurricane had opened up and made feasible for a botanical garden.  

An agreement was reached in July 2005 between the Garden Board and the JCC Parks & Recreation Department to create a garden on a two-acre area in the park. Design planning by horticulture professionals and other community leaders began in earnest once the site had been determined.

Commencing in October 2005, work began on clearing the site of debris and laying out the paths.

On November 5, 2005, community volunteers including Big Brothers Big Sisters, high school students, William & Mary students, educators, and landscape specialists installed 1,200 plants. This was a huge effort of planting trees, shrubs and other plantings. Volunteers worked for many planting days in the ensuing months after this initial effort.