Joseph and Marie Schedel purchased a hundred-acre tract of undeveloped land surrounding a charming Victorian mansion on the Portage River, near Elmore, Ohio in 1929. Extensively traveled, the Schedels had acquired many lovely possessions which they wished to display, such as Persian carpets, a world-class Jade collection, hand-wrought teak furniture, prayer rugs, Japanese silkembroidery, and a thousand-year-old Bronze sculpture. Around the mansion they developed an arboretum, planting 25 varieties of Japanese maple, 16 species of pine, including Bristlecone pine, Bald cypress, Golden chain tree, cucumber and umbrella magnolia, Japanese silver bell, various types of beech, bamboo, katsura, Franklin Trees, and nearly 50 lilac varieties. In several separate beds they introduced English-style landscapes, flowering displays, and a Japanese garden. They installed greenhouses, where annuals are prepared; each spring some 15,000 plants are transplantedfrom the greenhouse to the grounds, installed among perennials, trees, and shrubs. The Japanese Garden includes bridges, stone lanterns, and a stupa. Two waterfalls empty into pools or streams which flow into two lakes. The Schedels, who had no children, wished for their effort to continue for the benefit of the entire region. In 1963 they established The Joseph J. & Marie P. Schedel Foundation, with the aim of protecting and preserving their estate for the enjoyment of present and future generations. To that end, the Foundation in 1989 established The Schedel Foundation Arboretum and Gardens, The Schedels died during the 1980s. The first director of the Arboretum Foundation was T. Richard Fisher, who was able to first open the Garden to the public in 1991. Since that time the staff have increased the quantity and diversity of plant offerings on the grounds. Current director of the Arboretum Foundation is Rodney Noble In 2020 the City ofToledo began preparations to move the Blair Lithoplane Museum from the Toledo Botanical Garden to the Arboretum.
Description of the site
The site is located at a bend in the Portage River; about half the site is upland, with the remainder lowland. There is a sharp drop between the two, and this split character allows for a variety of plantings. There are permanent sculpture installations among the plantings, and in addition the Foundation hosts rotating exhibits of sculptures and other artistic works. A Beautiful place to visit. Schedel Arboretum and Gardens are located at 19255 West Portage River South Road, Elmore, Ohio 43416. The gardens are open for "preview" during selected dates in April, and are open to the public from May through October. An admission fee is charged. You may also become a member. A reception center on the site is offered to the public for events such as weddings and large receptions. This large center also houses a gift shop, offices, gallery and more. This opened in 2008.
