Hidden Lake Gardens Records
UA.4.2.4

Summary Information

Repository
Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections
Title
Hidden Lake Gardens records
ID
UA.4.2.4
Date [inclusive]
1926-2003
Extent
0.8 Cubic feet
Language
English

Preferred Citation note

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: "Item title, Collection title, Collection Identifier, Michigan State University Archives & Historical Collections, East Lansing,Michigan".

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Historical Note

In 1926, Harry A. Fee (1868 – 1955) purchased 226 acres of farmland near Tipton, Michigan for retirement. The land was too rocky for farming so he turned to gardening instead. Fee frequently consulted the MSU extension service for gardening advice. As a result in 1945, he donated the estate and an endowment fund to Michigan State University to create a public garden and grounds for horticultural study. Fee remained involved with Hidden Lake Garden until his death.

After Fee’s death Fred Freeman became the horticulturist for the Garden, he served from 1945- 1986. Clarence E. Hoxie served as the first director of the Gardens, from 1946 – January 1949. Earl I. Wilde supervised from January to September of 1949. F.L.S. O’Rourke was director from 1950 – 1950. In the 1960s Hidden Lake Garden was placed under the direction of Campus Park and Planning.

MSU gradually bought the farmland surrounding the Garden to create a buffer from urbanization resulting in the 755 acre garden that exists today. In 1986 Jack Wolf, Fred Freeman’s assistant, became acting curator and manager. The grounds contain a visitors’ center, conservatory, arboretum, the Harper Collection of Dwarf and Rare Conifers, Hosta Display, and the Elsie MacCready Memorial Bonsai Collection.

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Scope and Contents note

The Hidden Lake Gardens collection contains Chronological History files consisting of newspaper clippings and photocopies of photos. The majority of the photographs are in the collection’s photo files. The majority of the collection is made up of correspondence, starting with Fee’s correspondence, and a drawing for a garden. The General Correspondence is arranged chronologically and relates to the running of the Garden. The photo files are arranged alphabetically by subject and contain black and white and some color pictures of the grounds. In addition, there are a few photos of the buildings and staff. The majority of the photos are from the 1960 s.

The cd-rom contains 11 images of Hidden Lake Gardens from 2003. The images are mainly outdoor views of the gardens and one of the conservatory.

There are also unpublished annual reports for 1961-71.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections

Conrad Hall
888 Wilson Road, Room 101
East Lansing , MI, 48824
517-355-2330
archives@msu.edu

Revision Description

  August 2003

Conditions Governing Access note

Collection is open for research.

Legal Status note

Copyright: Michigan State University Property Rights: Michigan State University

Conditions Governing Use note

Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.

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Controlled Access Headings

Personal Name(s)

  • Fee, Harry A.

Subject(s)

  • Horticulture

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Collection Inventory

Papers 1926-2000 

Chronological History 
Box Folder

 1926 – 1965 

 1753H 1

 1966 – 1997 

 1753H 2
Box Folder

Fee Correspondence 1928 – 1937 

 1753H 3

Fee’s Plans, Drawing, Notes Circa 1930 

 1753H 4

General Correspondence 
Box Folder

 1946 – 1949 

 1753H 5

Address and Plant list 1949 

 1753H 6

 Circa 1950 – 1955 

 1753H 7

 1956 

 1753H 8

 1957 

 1753H 9

 1958 – 1959 

 1753H 10

 1960 – 1969 

 1753H 11

 1970 – 1972 

 Box
1754H		 Folder
1

 1973 – 1979 

 1754H 2

 1980 – 1989 

 1754H 3

 1995 – 2000 

 1754H 4
Box Folder

Non-credit Courses for the Public 1977-1988 

 1754H 24

"Hidden Lake Gardens" Dream of One, Work and Vision of Many" October 1995 

 1754H 25

Newsletter Spring/Summer 2004 

 1754H 26

Guides and brochures Undated 

 1754H 27

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Photographs Circa 1930-2003 
Box Folder

Arboretum 1969, 1972, ca. 1980 – 1982, Undated 

 1754H 5

Arid Conservatory 1969 – Circa 1990 

 1754H 6

Conservatory Exterior 1967 – 1969, Circa 1980 

 1754H 7

Demonstration Gardens Circa 1950 - 1996 

 1754H 8

Entrance Area Circa 1940 – 1969, Circa 1980 

 1754H 9

Fee, Harold Circa 1930  

 1754H 10

Harper Collection Circa 1970, 1981 – 1997 

 1754H 11

Hidden Lake Circa 1950 – Circa 1990 

 1754H 12

Hosta Hillside, 1995, former Rock Garden, 1965, 1968 

 1754H 13

Old Greenhouse and Early Buildings 1926, Circa 1950 – 1982 

 1754H 14

Pond and surrounding area Circa 1940, Circa 1960, Circa 1980, 1994 

 1754H 15

Raised bed gardens Undated 

 1754H 16

Roads and trails Circa 1960 – 1969, 1982 – 1997 

 1754H 17

Special Events Circa 1970, 1987, 1990 – 1995 

 1754H 18

Staff 1969 – 1997 

 1754H 19

Temperate House and Bonsai Collection 1969 – Circa 1980 

 1754H 20

Tropic Dome Conservatory 1969 – 1970, Circa 1980 

 1754H 21

Visitor Center 1938 – 1996 

 1754H 22

Cd-rom 2003 

 1754H 23
Box

Oversized Photos 1963–1967, 1984-1986  

 OS 13

Administrative Building (glossy of architect drawing) 1963 – 1965 

Arboretum 1986 

Conservatory Exterior (glossy of architect drawing) 1966 – 1967 

Harper Collection (photo and brochure mockup) 1984 - 1985 

Staff. Wilke, Jack 1968 

Tropic Dome Conservatory 1968 

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Annual Reports 
Box

Unpublished 

 Annual Reports

1961-1962 

1962-1963 

1964-1965 

1965-1966 

1966-1967 

1967-1968 

1968-1969 

1969-1970 

1970-1971 

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