Celebrating Arbor Day at Arbor Day Farms

Did you know?

Arbor Day, the nation’s tree-planting holiday, was first celebrated in 1872. The Arbor Day Foundation was created 100 years later to carry out its mission on a year-round basis.

Since that time, and with help from its members, supporters, and partners, the Foundation has planted nearly 500 million trees in neighborhoods, communities, cities, and forests around the globe.

Conservation, sustainability, and environmental stewardship is our year-round commitment.

When is Arbor Day?

National Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April, which this year, falls on April 28.

Nebraska City, NE resident J. Sterling Morton proposed the idea for a tree planting holiday called "Arbor Day" at a meeting of the State Board of Agriculture in 1872. It was estimated that more than 1 million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day.

Now, more than 150 years later, Arbor Day is celebrated in all 50 states.

Revisit History

The original estate of J. Sterling Morton, Arbor Lodge State Historical Park features a 52-room mansion filled with artifacts belonging to the Morton Family. It was here that the idea for the first Arbor Day began!

At Arbor Lodge, you can:

Explore the 52-room estate and learn about the history of Arbor Day. Admission to the mansion is free on April 28.
See the Women of Arbor Lodge display in a recently opened area of the mansion.
Tour the park grounds, experience the whispering bench, and view historic trees.
Visit the Carriage House and Italian terraced garden.

Learn More

Come celebrate Arbor Day Weekend with us!

April 29–30

Located in Nebraska City, the 260-acre Arbor Day Farm is also home to Lied Lodge, the Tree Adventure including the one-of-a-kind Treetop Village®, the Apple House Market, and miles of beautifully forested hiking trails. It’s fun for everyone and the perfect place to learn about trees. Special Arbor Day Weekend activities include: