Dear President’s Circle Member,

Read Sophia's letter on the new Kraft Foods Garden, a sustainably grown garden created and managed by the Garden's Windy City Harvest program. The collaboration addresses two critical needs of our community: fighting hunger and creating jobs.



You're invited!

Gardens of Distinction:
On the Road with Craig Bergmann

Underwritten by The PrivateBank
Tuesday, July 19 SOLD OUT
Bus departs from the Chicago Botanic Garden at 9 a.m. and returns at 5 p.m. $100 per person


Urban Harvest Tour:
North Lawndale, Chicago

Tuesday, July 26
Bus departs from the Chicago Botanic Garden at 9 a.m. and returns at 5 p.m. $100 per person

Join Angela Mason, the Garden’s director of community gardening, to go behind the scenes at urban farms managed by the Chicago Botanic Garden. Llearn the definition of popular jargon such as “green job,” “locavore,” and “food desert.” As part of the 2011 Bus Tour Series, the tour includes stops at the Chicago Center for Green Technology, North Lawndale Green Youth Farm, Windy City Harvest, and Cook County Sheriff’s Boot Camp. Guests will enjoy a fresh hot lunch prepared by Green Youth Farm students using the produce they grow on site. Reservations are required, as space is limited. Please call (847) 835-6925 for more information.


save the date

Happy Hour in the Bernice E. Lavin Evaluation Garden

Thursday, August 25
5 to 7 p.m.
$10 per person

Celebrate summer and the new Trellis Bridge connecting Evening Island to the Plant Science Center while enjoying refreshments, good company, and warm evening air in the redesigned Bernice E. Lavin Plant Evaluation Garden!

Register online or call the President’s Circle hotline, (847) 835-6925, today.

Farm Dinner

September 7
5 to 8 p.m.
$150 per President’s Circle member

The Garden invites you to celebrate food as we bring together local farmers, winemakers, breweries, and our own Green Youth Farm for a spectacular multicourse meal. Our talented chef, Cleetus Friedman, will wow your palate as we explore the relationship between the earth and the food you will enjoy. The summer Farm Dinner series is generously supported by Harris Private Bank.

To register for the Farm Dinner on September 7, please call (847) 835-6925. If you cannot attend in September but would like to attend in July or August, please register online.


photo album

An Evening with Andrea Wulf

On May 18, President’s Circle members enjoyed a fantastic lecture on The Founding Gardeners presented by noted design historian and author Andrea Wulf. After a reception and tour of the exhibition Plants in Print: The Age of Botanical Discovery, guests were invited to a three-course dinner, hosted by Cindy and Ben Lenhardt. A special thank-you to Cindy and Ben for making this event such a magical evening for everyone in attendance.

View photographs from past President’s Circle events (the password is “circle”).

Upcoming Garden Events

Chicago Botanic Garden Art Festival

Friday – Sunday, July 1 – 3
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Esplanade

The Art Festival returns! Shop among 80 juried artists selling photography, paintings, ceramics, cement, metal, fiber, wood, jewelry, and much more.

Farmers’ Market

First and third Sundays
June 5 through October 16
9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Esplanade

The Garden welcomes local, sustainable farmers and producers to the Chicago Botanic Garden Farmers’ Market’s fourth season. New this year, vendor talks regarding sustainable practices and other topics. Join Wind Ridge Herb Farm on June 19 for “Companion Planting with Herbs and Vegetables: A Sustainable-Gardening Technique."

Tuesday Morning Music

Tuesday Mornings
June 21, July 5 & 19, August 2 & 16
10 to 11 a.m., McGinley Pavilion

This summer, visitors seeking new ways to enjoy summer won’t want to miss our new Tuesday Morning Music series. These free one-hour performances offer a chance to pause and reflect on the beauty in your life while listening to relaxing music.





Please click on each of the photos above for information on these fun ways to enjoy the Garden.



Summer Evenings at the Chicago Botanic Garden are a wonderful opportunity to relax with my family and friends while enjoying gorgeous Garden views and concerts by some of our area’s most talented musicians. We go to Carillon Concerts on Mondays, Music on the Esplanade on Tuesdays, and Hot Summer Nights on Thursdays. On Wednesday evenings, Dancin’ Sprouts gets my youngest guests into the action.

I anticipate the pleasure of seeing you at a Summer Evenings concert (or two!) this summer.

Enjoy the beauty of the season!

Sophia Siskel
President & CEO
Chicago Botanic Garden