Generations of Love and Care

Member, John Amoroso has witnessed the evolution of the Worcester County Horticultural Society from holding plant shows at Horticultural Hall in Worcester to moving to Boylston in 1984 to create Tower Hill Garden to today's 200-acre New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill. John's mother was an avid gardener and first brought him to Horticultural Hall at the age of four. He remembers their home was always surrounded by beautiful gardens.

John and his wife, Betty, raised their two daughters in Westborough, MA. It was a busy and full life and visits to Tower Hill fulfilled their need for a respite in nature. Later in life, they traveled frequently. New Zealand, with its natural beauty, became a favorite destination for them. That same passion for natural beauty drew them to New England Botanic Garden over and over again.

Thankfully, 80 years later, John is still enamored with the gardens here. He appreciates the simplicity, the ever-changing landscapes, and the serenity. He is thrilled that over 5,000 children a year get to explore nature's bounty and enjoy the outdoors. He likes the beauty in the winter as much as other times of the year. He appreciates the range of educational topics offered to help us all become better stewards of the natural world.

Last summer, John was able to share this passion with his granddaughter Isabella. She was curious about this garden that John talked about and supported. She was surprised by the scale of the Garden and intrigued by the beauty and variety of plants and trees.

We are grateful for John's friendship, his support, and for planting the seeds for the third generation of the Amoroso Family to love and care for New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill.