Library Archives

The archives of the Suzette Morton Davidson Special Collections are home to papers, photographs, manuscripts and other documents of several significant landscape designers and authors. Included are papers and photographs relating to the Arboretum's founder, Joy Morton, and his family's involvement with the Arboretum. Papers relating to Morton's business endeavors can be found at the Chicago History Museum.

Within the Archives can be found:

• The Arboretum's Institutional Archives including photographs, papers, documents, and letters relating to the creation, founding, and history of The Morton Arboretum
• Papers, documents, photographs, and artwork of May T. Watts, founder of the Arboretum's education program and renowned teacher, author, and naturalist
• Landscape drawings and plans, photographs, and letters of Jens Jensen, noted landscape designer
• Presentation and pen and ink drawings by Marshall Johnson, Jensen's successor
• Drawings and garden photographs by O.C. Simonds, first landscape architect for the Arboretum
• Significant first editions and manuscripts of works by the celebrated nature writer Donald Culross Peattie