Temple Ambler Kicks Off Celebration of 100 Years This Weekend

The area’s latest centenarian is … Temple University Ambler.

The campus, founded in 1911 as the Pennsylvania School of Horticulture for Women by Jane Bowne Haines, who thought horticulture should occupy a place in American education, merged with Temple University in 1958 and became Ambler Junior College of Temple University.

In 1961, in a show of solidarity, it was renamed to The Ambler Campus of Temple University.

The school did not admit the first male student until 1952.

Throughout its 100 years, the campus has collected a cultural heritage and historical significance.

“Temple University Ambler is an important location for women’s history in the United States,” said Jenny Rose Carey, director of the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University, “with our blue and gold state historic marker that signifies the campus as the site of the Pennsylvania School of Horticulture for Women, and the site of the founding of the Woman’s National Farm and Garden Association in 1914.”

In celebration of a century of academic excellence, the Ambler campus has had a yearlong slate of events planned, including:

• , June 5, 12:30 to 2 p.m.: School of Environmental Design alumni, dating back to the Pennsylvania School of Horticulture for Women, will return to campus for special reunions, tours of the gardens and more. The 2011 June Homecoming will include the Alumni Association annual meeting and luncheon. Homecoming is open to alumni only.

• , June 5, 2 p.m.: One of the earliest students of the Pennsylvania School of Horticulture for Women, Louise Carter Bush-Brown returned to the school in 1924 as director, and remained in the position into the 1950s, boosting enrollment and establishing degree-bearing programs. During the program, Campus Executive William Parshall will welcome guests, Ambler Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey will speak about the Bush-Browns and the history of the garden, and an official ribbon cutting will be held for the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Garden. Following the ribbon cutting, guests are invited to tour the gardens, which will wend their way to the Campus Greenhouse for the School of Environmental Design's annual Plant Auction.

• , June 12, noon to 5 p.m.: Ambler Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey invites you to tour her personal garden oasis right in Ambler. Northview Garden includes ponds, a sunset garden, a shade garden, an herb garden, a stumpery, a cutting garden, a castle garden and much more. The 4.5-acre Victorian property is a tour de force in garden design. Visitors will have the opportunity to take self-guided tours throughout the many gardens, where experts will answer questions about the various designs. The Ambler Keystone Chapter of the Women's National Farm and Garden Association will provide tea and refreshments. All proceeds benefit the Ambler Arboretum. The cost is $15 in advance, and $20 at the door.

• Ambler Arboretum Tours with Director Carey, June 21, 6-7:30 p.m.; July 20, 6-7:30 p.m.; Aug. 25, 6-7:30 p.m.; Sept. 20, 5:30-7 p.m.; Oct. 9, 2-3:30 p.m.: Ambler Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey will lead personal themed tours through the gardens. There will be something for everyone! The cost is $10 per person.

• Rhapsody in Bloom, Sept 10, 4 to 7 p.m.:  Enjoy merriment and mingling in honor of the campus’ 100^th anniversary, with a return trip to Northiew, the 4.5-acre Victorian home and lush gardens of Ambler Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey. The event will include cocktails, garden tours, music and a seated dinner. Ticket prices TBA.

• Temple Ambler Campus Alumni fourth annual Family Picnic, Sept. 24, 1 to 4 p.m.; Alumni and their families are invited to a picnic featuring a beer tasting, refreshments, games and activities, memorabilia, slideshows, raffles and giveaways. The event will highlight 100 years in music, food, images and more. The cost is $5 per person.

• Hilda Justice Artifacts Collection Dedication, Nov. 6, 1 to 3 p.m.: The Hilda Justice Building has been an important part of the campus for 60 years. The final event in the yearlong anniversary celebration is the dedication of the Hilda Justice Artifacts Collection, a rich overview of the campus’ early history in yearbooks, photos, tools, diaries, documents and more. Donations to the Ambler Arboretum will be accepted.

For more information about Temple University Ambler and its history, visit www.temple.edu/ambler. For information about the 100^th anniversary and events, click here, or contact Judy Shatz at judy.shatz@temple.edu or call 267-468-8001.