The farm acquired by Polly’s family in 1926 may be traced back in the historical record to 1669. The Arboretum’s offices are housed in the renovated Homestead, a building dating from the 1670’s. Other historic structures on the property include the Far Barn, (circa 1850) with its attached Slaughterhouse, the Cow Barn (a private residence), and the adjacent “Gym”. The Far Barn is now used for classes, lectures, exhibits, and special events.

Cowbarn Construction 1933

The Arboretum property was once one of sixteen original “home lots” created in the town. In 1669 four associates, known as the original proprietors, purchased a large parcel of land from Josias, the Indian Sachim of Takemmy. Soon after the initial purchase the parcel was divided into forty acre “home lots”, and sold off. The original settler of this lot was Henry Luce. Although early records are sketchy he most likely settled here by 1674. The Homestead, which may have been constructed prior to his purchase of the land soon became home for his growing family. By the time of his death sometime between 1687 and 1689 he and his wife Remember had ten children. At one point in its history the farm served as an inn for travelers making the long journey between Vineyard Haven and Aquinnah.

Luce’s descendants lived on the farm until 1850. The property then changed hands a few times until Bartlett Smith purchased the farm, and with his partner Albert Littlefield ran it as a sheep farm. Littlefield later married Smith’s sister, eventually inheriting all of Smith’s land.

In 1926 the Littlefield’s sold 40 acres, including the Homestead and other farm buildings to Polly’s parents, Margaret and Howard Butcher, Jr., for a summer home. Based on the history of the land Margaret Butcher wanted to call the farm “Luce Inn Farm.” However feeling that “Luce Inn” might give the wrong impression she named it “Barnard’s Inn Farm”, after the last Luce to live here, Bernard (pronounce Barnard). Margaret Butcher was a gifted architect and decorator and for thirty years she repaired and modernized the farm buildings.

Eventually Polly and her husband Julian inherited the farm. In 1957, at the age of 50, the idea of growing an arboretum first emerged in Polly’s mind. A few courses in botany at the University of Delaware and others at Longwood Gardens gave her the courage to start.

In 1958, Polly planted her first seeds and prepared a small nursery bed. As the years passed an arboretum has gradually emerged from simple elements. Additionally, as seeds arrived from across the North Temperate Zone, Polly experimented with and successfully grew numerous plants that no one would have predicted could grow under the climatic conditions of Martha's Vineyard. Along the way, Polly also selected superior forms of the plants she has grown and has given them cultivar names- many associated with family members - and made them available to the horticultural trade. As a consequence of her generosity and the outstanding nature of her selections, Polly Hill introductions are now cultivated in gardens around the globe! Moreover, through purchase of adjacent land, the property was increased to a total of 70 acres.

Following an introduction by the Vineyard Conservation Society, David H. Smith approached Polly and her family and arranged for the purchase of the property. The non-profit organization, the Polly Hill Arboretum Inc., was created to preserve Polly’s botanical and horticultural legacy, to maintain the property, and continue Polly's ideals of research, education, and conservation. The purchase was accomplished through donations by David H. Smith, the Hill family, and many of Polly's horticultural colleagues. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts joined in preserving the Arboretum property by providing funding for a conservation restriction, which will prevent development of the property in perpetuity.

The Visitor Center, constructed in 1998, consists of two post-and-beam buildings designed by the award-winning architectural firm of Maryann Thompson Architects of Cambridge, Massachusetts. The master plan for the Arboretum, including the design and layout of the parking area, was developed by the well-known, award winning landscape architect and Martha’s Vineyard resident, Michael Van Valkenburgh of Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, also of Cambridge.

Stephen Spongberg, a long associate of Polly’s and a horticultural taxonomistwith the Arnold Arboretum became PHA’s first Executive Director in 1998. Steve’s clear understanding of Polly’s vision for her property, combined with his experience at the Arnold Arboretum resulted in a smooth transition from a private garden to a public arboretum. After six successful years working to build the Arboretum Steve retired in 2004. He remains involved as a volunteer overseeing our extensive library collection.

Tim Boland, who first held position as Curator, became Executive Director in October 2004. Tim is looking forward to many years leading the arboretum in its next stages of development. As Tim say’s, “This is a garden of ideas, a lot of Polly’s ideas and a lot of our ideas…the human element is the focus, connecting plants and people.”