This exhibition commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, at which prominent local horticulturist, Bertrand Farr (1863-1924), was awarded a gold medal of honor for his irises.

The show explores the Exposition and Farr's work in the area of hybridization. You'll see fascinating memorabilia including an expo gold medal, tickets, postcards, pennants, historic photographs, examples of Farr's catalogs, and images of his most popular irises*.

In the late 1920s, a great number of our Arboretum's specimens were generously donated by Farr from his superb botanical collection of trees, shrubs and flowering plants, gathered from all over the world. They were carefully located throughout the park, and many of the species that you see today are from the original planting.

* On Loan From The Collection of Lori Galletti