Kingsville
Missouri
Powell Gardens
About Us:
Powell Gardens is a private, not-for-profit organization located just east of Kansas City, Missouri, with the mission of inspiring people to appreciate, beautify and conserve our natural environment. The Gardens' peaceful setting on 915 acres provides opportunities for learning and reflection through a year-round education program, research and special events. The Gardens receive support from foundations, corporations, individuals, the Friends of Powell Gardens and income generated through admissions, gift shop sales and rentals.
Powell Gardens is known for its spectacular garden displays incorporating native plantings and its contemporary architecture by the architectural firm originally established by Fay Jones, now Maurice Jennings and David McKee Architects. The Gardens can be rented for weddings, receptions, ceremonies and other private events.
History:Powell Gardens' history begins in 1948, when George E. Powell, Sr., a prominent Kansas City businessman, acquired the beautiful tract of land that is now Powell Gardens. Mr. Powell had learned firsthand about the sometimes harsh and unpredictable life of farming during his childhood on the family farm. In 1917, he left to pursue a business career in Kansas City. He, along with his son George Powell Jr., and others, took over ownership of Yellow Transit Freight Lines, now Yellow Transportation, in 1952. Throughout his successful business career, Mr. Powell never lost interest in the lands of Missouri. He and his family and friends enjoyed many weekends on his Johnson County, Missouri, farm.
In 1969, in keeping with his stewardship philosophy, Mr. Powell donated the 640-acre farm to the Kansas City Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, who used it as a regional camp until 1984. In 1984, with the University of Missouri's School of Agriculture as a catalyst and partner, the Powell Family Foundation began developing a horticultural and natural resource facility called Powell Center.
As a part of this development, Powell Center retained Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based Environmental Planning and Design, the leading U.S. consultants for botanical gardens. The firm recognized that the site would be ideal for development as a botanical garden. In 1988, official ties with the University of Missouri ended and Powell Gardens Inc., a not-for-profit organization, was established. A 19-member board of directors, in which several Powell family members serve, governs Powell Gardens. Friends of Powell Gardens, a separate organization, is made up of more than 5,000 members. Staffing at the Gardens fluctuates between 35 employees during off-season and close to 70 in peak season. Powell Gardens is supported through private donations and admission, gift shop and rental revenues.
Recent News
International Union for Conservation of Nature Acknowledges Contributions of Botanical Gardens in Wildlife Conservation
Kingsville, MO - On October 10, 2024, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) released a statement acknowledging the vital contributions of botanical gardens, zoos, and aquariums in plant and wildlife conservation. IUCN is a…
Read More »Powell Gardens Midwest Foraging Exhibit Inspires Natural Joy
Foraging has grown in popularity since the COVID-19 pandemic. With its roots in local Native American communities, the rich tradition of foraging (the wild searching for food or supplies) has a long history in the Midwest. Powell Gardens, Kansas…
Read More »Festival Of Butterflies Lands At Powell Gardens
Kingsville, MO - On July 20, Festival of Butterflies (July 20 – August 6) invites nature enthusiasts of all ages to celebrate the Midwest’s most whimsical pollinator at Powell Gardens. In 2023, we invite you to celebrate butterflies…
Read More »Powell Gardens is a 2023 Blue Star Museum
POWELL GARDENS IS A 2023 BLUE STAR MUSEUM Powell Gardens to offer free admission to military personnel and their families this summer KINGSVILLE, MO – Powell Gardens announced it will join museums nationwide in the Blue Star Museums…
Read More »Fortopia Returns to Bring Family Fun and Forts to Powell Gardens
Kingsville, MO - On May 25, unleash your imagination in a city of multiple forts with Fortopia (May 25-September 4) at Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s Botanical Garden. This outdoor exhibition, comprised of brand new and returning life-sized…
Read More »Powell Gardens Announces Jolliff As Its New Chief Executive Officer
KINGSVILLE, MO –Powell Gardens has named Cody Jolliff its new chief executive officer. The Board of Directors’ selection committee led the search initiative through a national executive search firm specializing in non-profit leadership.…
Read More »Powell Gardens Cheerfully Welcomes Spring in Partnership with Rachel Hayes and Summit Art
POWELL GARDENS CHEERFULLY WELCOMES SPRING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH RACHEL HAYES AND SUMMIT ART The Gardens become a gallery as local artists showcase works of art at Powell Gardens Kingsville, MO - After a long winter, Powell Gardens welcomes…
Read More »Powell Gardens Announces Plans for 2023 Season
POWELL GARDENS ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR 2023 SEASON Returning favorites and new experiences are coming to Powell Gardens in 2023 Taking cues from the winter season, January and February signal the annual hibernation period for Powell Gardens.…
Read More »Evergy Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens Brings Cheer to the New Year
EVERGY FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS AT POWELL GARDENS BRINGS CHEER TO THE NEW YEAR Powell Gardens extends Evergy Festival of Lights to include January 5-8, 2023! Ring in the new year with the Evergy Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens, now extended…
Read More »Powell Gardens And Evergy Partner To Bring Favorite Festival Back For Its Sixth Year
Evergy Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens features new installations, a featured artist, and plenty of holiday cheer. On November 10, Evergy Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens (Nov. 10 – Dec. 30) will open its doors for the sixth…
Read More »Powell Gardens Partners With Quixotic To Bring An Immersive Multimedia Walk-Through Installation Back To Kansas City’s Fall Lineup
This fall, Kansas City’s Botanical Garden partners with Quixotic to bring Dark Forest, a unique and immersive outdoor experience tied to the magic and mystery of unknown forest spaces, back to Powell Gardens. This signature event is open…
Read More »Powell Gardens Announces Interim Ceo And 30-Year Master Plan
The Powell Gardens Board of Directors announced that CEO Tabitha Schmidt will depart Powell Gardens on August 26, 2022, to become Executive Director of the Museum of Arts & Sciences in Daytona Beach, Florida. Chief Operations Officer Mark…
Read More »Fortopia, A Life-Size Fort Exhibition, Breaks Ground At Powell Gardens
Kingsville, MO – Fortopia opens to the public at Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s Botanical Garden. This playful outdoor exhibition, comprised of eight awe-inspiring forts, encourages outdoor discovery and adventure. The eight fort designs…
Read More »