40th Anniversary Throwback Tour

Building Up

Forty years ago in 1976, Dr. J. C. Raulston started developing the NCSU Arboretum at the 30-acre NCSU Research Farm Unit 4's (now the Horticultural Field Lab) north end. Predating the Arboretum, an old brick house, was relied upon to provide a classroom for students, office space, restrooms, and shelter from the weather. In the early years of the Arboretum, it was used as the volunteer office and visitor center. It was located near the Southall Garden facing Beryl Road and was eventually demolished in 2006.

Today's Ruby C. McSwain Education Center was dedicated in 2002, providing the long needed facilities for education, community events, and staff offices. Its sustainable design was far ahead of its time and included environmentally sound features such as, geothermal wells, native wood siding, energy-efficient windows, and poured-concrete walls. On the top of the McSwain Center is NC State's first green roof.

Early Facilities

Entrance view in 1982 from Beryl Road driveway looking at Arboretum's sweet potato shed staff offices (second building). Valerie Tyson in 2001 working in the sweet potato shed office.

Will Hooker's landscape design class in July 1989 cooling down in the carport adjoining the Brick House. Horticulture students propagating plants behind Brick House classroom in 1979.

Ruby C. McSwain Education Center and Bobby G. Wilder Visitor Center Construction

Construction site of the Ruby C. McSwain Education Center and the Bobby G. Wilder Visitor Center in May 2002.

Construction near Ruby C. McSwain Education Center near the District X Garden Club of North Carolina Wall Garden beds in spring 2002 (facing east).

A. E. Finley Rooftop Terrace garden construction in May 2002.

Ruby C. McSwain Education Center and Bobby G. Wilder Visitor Center construction nearly completed in August 2002.

New Facilities

The Bobby G. Wilder Visitor Center and the Staff Offices were also opened in 2002.