Viles Arboretum

Augusta, Maine, United States

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The Viles Arboretum in Augusta, Maine, spans 224 acres and offers a vast botanical garden experience with miles of trails through diverse habitats.

The land has a rich history, once part of farms in the early 1800s and later the State Hospital farm, where patients engaged in agriculture as therapy. Today, the arboretum contains over 300 species of trees and shrubs, including many native to Maine, organized into various thematic collections such as conifers and historic gardens.

Visitors can explore remnants of its past like old wells, a granite quarry, and water infrastructure from its days as a hospital farm. The arboretum also features art installations and seasonal events, provides educational programs, and invites visitors to enjoy its natural beauty year-round free of charge. It stands as a community resource fostering conservation, recreation, and learning within Maine's capital city.