Frank Skinner collected, developed and introduced many plants at Skinner’s Nursery the home of Dropmore Hardy Plants.  From the 1920’s through to 1967 so many people, immigrants and locals (as employees) and horticulturalists from many countries, helped Frank to realize his visions.  We have so many fond memories and stories of the people of Skinner’s Nursery that we hope to record on this site.

Frank died 54 years ago.  One would think that in 54 years his plantings would have been become part of the soil that grows the food crops of the prairies.  But somehow, some of them have quietly survived so that today we can still find the peaceful energies of the big trees and green spaces that connect us to nature and recharge us.

They would not have survived without the dedicated efforts of many.  In 1967 Helen Skinner became a widow, a single mother of 5 children.  Her resources were limited but she did not give up the historical Skinner’s Nursery.  In 1974, Hugh Skinner (Frank’s second son) became a nurseryman at the original site and joined Helen in her efforts to maintain and preserve some of the original Skinner collections.

Over time it became more and more difficult to maintain these plantings and garden spaces in order to continue providing access to the public.   In 1995, through the concentrate and focused efforts of Hugh Skinner, Elaine Gauer, Edna Russett, Boyd Solnes, Jim Ritchie, Elaine Digby, Marlene Shearer and Marilyn Simpson the Arboretum at Skinner’s Nursery was designated a Provincial Heritage Site and a not-for profit corporation (Frank Skinner Arboretum Corp.) was formed to look after the Arboretum and develop a Skinner Introductions Garden and a Rose Garden.  In 2005 Frank Leith Skinner was named a person of National Historical significance.

So many people have contributed to the preservation of this prairie park through fund raising programs, personal donations and volunteer hours.  We would like to express our gratitude to these people as we as a board of directors, a community and a family work to revitalize the Arboretum. Truly they are individuals with a community spirit that enhances our lives.

Thank you! Helen Skinner, Hugh Skinner, Elaine Gauer, Jim Ritchie, Edna and Gordon Russett, Boyd Solnes,  Marilyn Simpson, Elaine Digby, Marlene Shearer, John Skinner, Jo-Anne Hamilton, Dave and Lana McGimpsey, Lori Radford, Calvin Nerbas, Brad Galatiuk, Louise Spurway, Joan Clement, Norma Schmidt, Brenda Neuhofer, Dave Sinclair, Cornelia and Francois Squirra, Devron Kobluk, Charlene Gulak, Grant Ross, the extended Skinner family and all of the visitors to the Arboretum over the years.