MSU Campus Plants Research Guide: Audio & Video Recordings about Beal B. Garden

Keith Bollwahn interviews Harold Lautner (head of the Department of Urban Planning and Landscape Architecture at Michigan State, 1946-1960). Lautner discusses campus planning, reminisces about his days as a student at Michigan State College, and describes the campus during his time as an employee at Michigan State.

Summary: Dr. John Wilbrink, retired Curator of the W. J. Beal Botanical Garden, describes his career at Michigan State University caring for the campus gardens. Wilbrink explains how he arrived in the U.S., came to MSU in early 1957 and went directly to work for the MSU Grounds Department. He recalls his wartime experiences performing forced labor for the NAZIs, surviving allied bombings, returning home to Denmark after the war, and emigrating with his family to the U.S. Wilbrink describes his duties and explains that he planted and cared for significant portions of the beds and gardens on campus. He also discusses the challenges of maintaining the gardens in the face of people stealing plants, rodents, deer, floods, and Michigan weather. Wilbrink is interviewed via telephone by Peter Carrington, Assistant Curator and Frank Telewski, Curator of the W. J. Beal Botanical Gardens. Recorded in the Voice Library Studio in the MSU Main Library.

Summary: Dr. Frank Telewski, Curator of the Michigan State University W. J. Beal Botanical Garden, delivers the keynote address at the 45th Annual Conference of the Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries. Telewski explains how Beal created the garden to preserve species and enhance research creating partnerships with Harvard University and other gardens around the country. He shows a number of photographs showing the evolution of the campus garden over 150 years and describes how Beal influenced the look of campus. Telewski is introduced by MSU Librarian Suzanne Teghtmeyer. Held at the MSU Main Library.

Frank Telewski, professor of Plant Biology and curator of the W.J. Beal Botanical Garden and Campus Arboretum at Michigan State University, delivers a talk entitled, "Keeping MSU green! Replenishing the campus arboretum." Telewski describes the campus as an arboretum containing over 48,000 trees and shrubs and discusses the many historic trees on campus and the more recently planted trees and how all are used in research, teaching, and outreach. Telewski says that trees don't live forever and talks about the program to grow and plant new trees and shrubs on campus. He answers questions from the audience. The event is convened by MSU Librarian Susan Kendall.

[2014] Dr. Frank Telewski, Curator of the W.J. Beal Botanical Garden and Campus Arboretum at Michigan State University, delivers a talk entitled, "Tradition through the trees: trees on the MSU campus." Telewski discusses the many historic trees, such as the Ginko planted in 1863 on the hill where historic Beaumont Tower now stands, more recently planted trees, and how these trees are used in research, teaching, and outreach. Telewski answers questions from the audience. The event is convened by MSU Librarian Heidi Schroeder. Part of the Michigan State University Libraries' Environmental Series, held at the MSU Main Library.

Summary: Floyd Wright, great nephew of Michigan Agricultural College botany professor William James Beal, and other Beal relatives reminisce about Dr. Beal and their familial connections while gathered for the Centennial celebration of the W.J. Beal Botanical Garden on the Michigan State University campus. MSU President Dr. Clifton Wharton joins the conversation and later addresses those gathered for the celebration. Beal Gardens curator Dr. George W. Parmelee hosts the event. Dr. Dale Harpstead talks about Beal's contributions to agriculture then unveils the commemorative plaque which is accepted by Dr. Roger Baker, grandson of W.J. Beal. Baker recalls walking the campus with his grandfather and learning about plants at the scholar's knee. Senator Philip Pittenger (Republican, Lansing) reads a proclamation from Michigan Governor William Milliken declaring the second week of May 1973 as "William James Beal Week." He also reads the joint legislative resolution. Floyd Wright talks with an unidentified female relative as they walk to the indoor events. Jerry Roe from the Michigan Historical Commission, presents the recognition of the Beal Garden as a Michigan Historical Place. Dr. John Carew from the Department of Horticulture takes over as Master of Ceremonies. Dr. William Drew, Chair of the Department of Botany, reviews the many botanical accomplishments of W.J. Beal.

Summary: Milton Baron speaks with Elaine Chittenden and Frank Telewski about the origins and essence of MSU's Beal Botanical Gardens.