Arbor Lodge State Historical Park

Nebraska City, Nebraska, United States

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Arbor Lodge State Historical Park in Nebraska City, Nebraska, is the former home of J. Sterling Morton, the founder of Arbor Day, and is situated on a 72-acre estate that includes a 52-room mansion with authentic Victorian and Empire furnishings.

Beginning as a modest four-room house in 1855, the mansion expanded significantly through various remodels, especially under Morton's son Joy Morton, who used it as a summer residence. The estate features an arboretum with more than 200 varieties of lilacs, an Italian terraced garden, a historic log cabin, carriage house, walking trails, and a tree-themed playground.

The park serves as a museum, preserving Nebraska’s early history, offering tours, hosting living history events, and providing a beautiful space for outdoor exploration. Managed by the Arbor Day Foundation since 2014, Arbor Lodge is a celebrated site that honors the legacy of Morton’s conservation efforts and his vision for tree planting and environmental stewardship.​