Dow Gardens opens new welcome center, marking 125 years of hospitality

The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation announces the opening of the new 22,000-square-foot welcome center at Dow Gardens, a gateway to the 110-acre botanical garden. This new space honors a 125-year legacy of hospitality rooted in the story of Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow, who built their home and raised their family on this property.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Dow Gardens welcome center will take place Friday, June 19, from 11a.m. to noon at 1809 Eastman Avenue in Midland. The event is open to the public, and guests are welcome to explore the Welcome Center’s public spaces, including the gift shop and café.

“For more than a century, Dow Gardens has been a place of welcome, reflection, and discovery,” says Elizabeth Lumbert, Executive Director of Dow Gardens. “Our new welcome center allows us to greet guests in a way that is comfortable, intuitive, and grounded in the values Herbert and Grace Dow established over 125 years ago. From enhanced accessibility to improved amenities, every detail was designed with our guests’ experience in mind.”

A key component of the redesign includes replacing diseased crabapples with new, disease-resistant cultivars better suited for the parking lot’s challenging conditions. These selections aim to inspire home gardeners and community landscapes by showcasing resilient and beautiful varieties.

Designed to welcome between 200,000 and 250,000 guests annually, the welcome center offers an inviting arrival experience. With expanded parking, a convenient drop-off lane, and thoughtfully designed traffic flow, guests move from arrival to exploration. Expansive windows frame sweeping garden views, ensuring that the landscape remains the focal point from the very first moment.

Beyond the center, the landscape unfolds in layers. A curated collection of annuals and perennials, dwarf conifers, ornamental trees, grasses, and shrubs shifts with the seasons, drawing the eye toward the Fern Leaf Beech atop a berm, where new growth continues the gardens Herbert Dow first planted. In his words, “The garden does not pretend to be a finished idea.”

The opening of the welcome center aligns with the position of Dow Gardens as both a regional and national destination. “This new facility supports the visitor experience from the moment guests arrive,” says Ann Bruzewski, President and CEO of the Great Lakes Bay Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau. “It encourages tourism growth, economic vitality, and community pride, ensuring that Dow Gardens remains a cherished destination for visitors from across Michigan and beyond.”

Dow Gardens extends its gratitude to the Trustees of The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, whose vision and support made this project possible. Dow Gardens also thanks the Midland community, Spence Brothers, WTA Architects, project partners, and staff whose dedication brought this vision to life.

President and Trustee of The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, Ruth A. Doan, expressed her enthusiasm about the new Welcome Center at Dow Gardens. “For 125 years, Dow Gardens has been a place of beauty and tranquility, welcoming guests from near and far. Grace and Herbert Dow were devoted to their family and the community.”

“Our new Welcome Center is a testament to The Foundation’s ongoing commitment to providing an exceptional experience for all of our guests, ensuring the legacy of hospitality established in 1899 by Herbert and Grace Dow continues to thrive. Their compassion and visionary philosophy continue to inspire the Trustees of The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation as we work to serve the people of Midland and Michigan.”

The Welcome Center opens into 110 acres that have never stopped evolving. What began as one family’s home and garden continues to change with every season, every planting, and every guest who explores the property.

Key features of the welcome center include:

• Enhanced restroom facilities, including a family restroom equipped with an adjustable-height universal changing table for adults. With this addition, Dow Gardens joins a growing network of organizations committed to inclusive accessibility.
• A curated gift shop offering botanical-themed gifts, works by local artisans, gardening books, and seasonally available plants grown on-site by the Dow Gardens horticulture team.
• A café with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the gardens, offering a place to gather before or after exploring the grounds.
• Expanded meeting and event spaces ideal for weddings, group gatherings, and educational programming.
• Enhanced traffic flow, parking, and drop-off areas create a smooth arrival experience.
• Architecture grounded in the surrounding landscape, with limestone, weathered Corten steel, and patinaed copper chosen to age and evolve alongside the gardens.