Celebrating 150 years of the K-State Gardens
Here at the K-State Alumni Association, we had a wonderful time in 2024 celebrating
our 150th anniversary with a year of special events, from a birthday bash on the field
at World War I Memorial Stadium, to sharing special stories commemorating our history
and highlighting our alumni and friends.
And now, in 2025, it’s our turn to pass along the celebration to help the K-State
Gardens kick off their own 150th anniversary festivities.
The K-State Gardens, located near the intersection of Denison Avenue and Claflin Road in Manhattan,
have long been a special spot on campus for K-Staters to enjoy a quiet moment and
admire the beauty of nature.
According to director Scott McElwain ’96, the Gardens not only serve a practical purpose
— functioning as an outdoor living laboratory for students and faculty — they also
are open to the public, and community members are invited to come and enjoy the space
free of charge.
McElwain said that the Gardens have seen plenty of change over the past 150 years.
In 1871, Kansas State University (which was then known as Kansas State Agricultural
College) purchased the Gale farmstead (formerly a plant nursery), which eventually
became the site for the K-State Gardens. When the formal gardens were eliminated in
1978 to make way for Bluemont Hall, the K-State Gardens were relocated to their current
site. (Source: https://www.k-state.edu/gardens/about/history.html)
The Gardens will kick off their 150th anniversary celebration in January 2025 with
a luncheon at the K-State Alumni Center, followed by an evening of “Wine and Roses”
with First Lady Sally Linton in February. Other events will include a high tea, garden
party, travel opportunities, and more. View the full schedule of events: k-state.edu/gardens/150
Here’s what members of the Friends of the Gardens Board of Directors had to share
about the 150th anniversary:
"The Gardens at Kansas State University are a place I love to visit. The Gardens are so serene and beautiful. We all need a place in our lives where we can go to get away from the hustle and bustle of life. The K-State Gardens provide this type of atmosphere." — Cheryl Yunk ’72, ’79, board president
"The K-State Gardens are a true gem, for not only the university but for the Manhattan community and beyond. They are a place where one can sit and relax or take a pleasant walk, all the while being up-close to a beautiful and expressive show of nature. At the same time, it is a living, learning lab for students. The public can learn there, too, seeing what plants and flowers thrive in this region that they would want to plant in their own gardens." — Jan Stewart, board member
Want to learn more about the history and future of the K-State Gardens? Be sure to check out our full-length article in the upcoming spring 2025 issue of our member-exclusive K-Stater magazine. Not a member? Don’t miss out — JOIN NOW