After a certain age, many of us would rather forget our birthdays than commemorate the occasion. Hopefully Henry Shaw doesn’t share this sentiment because the Missouri Botanical Garden is throwing the world-famous botanist a bash of historical proportions. Don’t worry about getting the birthday boy a present. In fact, the MoBot is giving you the gift of free Garden and Children’s Garden admission all day long on July 24!

Besides enjoying the Garden for free, your family can celebrate Shaw’s 211^th birthday with some old-fashioned fun.

Dressed in his familiar black top hat, “Henry Shaw” and other actors decked out in vintage Victorian costumes will be strolling the grounds greeting guests. Remember the day by having your silhouette portrait drawn by an artist, witness the agility of a stilt walker and listen to whimsical tunes performed by an organ grinder. Bob Kramer’s Marionettes will be holding three special outdoor performances on Spoehrer Plaza at 10:30 a.m., noon and 1:30 p.m.

Shaw’s original country estate, the Tower Grove House, will be open for touring from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Take a stroll through the Lichtenstein Victorian District to see the bountiful summer blooms of the Kresko Victorian Garden, wind through the Kaeser Maze and visit Shaw’s mausoleum. In celebration of STAGES ST. LOUIS’ 25^th anniversary season, the historic Museum Building will be open for tours on July 24. Normally closed to the public, the 1859 Museum Building originally housed the Garden’s mounted herbarium plant specimens and library. Gardeners won’t want to miss the Henry Shaw Cactus Society show and sale inside the Orthwein Floral Display Hall. Browse a wide array of cacti and succulents, enjoy expert demonstrations and get plant care advice.

Of course the kids will want to visit the Doris I. Schnuck Children’s Garden: A Missouri Adventure. And why not? It’s free! Occupying nearly two acres, the Children’s Garden brings botany and 19th-century history to life for kids and adults through interactive themes and fun features. Venture into a limestone cave, glide down Spelunker's Slide, explore the wetlands, board a steamboat, climb to new heights in the tree house visit a Midwestern prairie village and more.

Henry Shaw’s 211^th Birthday Celebration is taking place at the Missouri Botanical Garden from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 24. Special family-friendly activities are taking place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, contact the Gardens at 314-577‑5100 or toll-free at 1-800-642‑8842.

By Andrea Wilson, Events Blogger for SmartParenting

 

 P.S. – Don’t forget to check out the TREEmendous Extreme Tree House displays located around the Garden. 

Photo courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden