Part 12/13:
In 1923, Joy Morton generously donated Arbor Lodge and 65 acres of land to the state of Nebraska to be preserved as a public park and historical museum. This act transformed the estate into Nebraska’s first state historic park, dedicated to honoring Julius Morton’s contributions.
Today, the estate remains open to visitors, offering a glimpse into the life of a pioneering family and the origins of Arbor Day. Original furniture, personal artifacts, and even Morton’s experiments with various tree species are displayed, emphasizing the enduring legacy of environmental conservation.