In April 2001, Governor Johanns unveiled a life-sized bronze sculpture of former Gov. Robert W.
Furnas. Furnas, a Brownville native became Nebraska's second governor
in 1872.
The Governor Furnas Arboretum became an affiliate site of the
Nebraska Statewide Arboretum (NSA) in 1996. The NSA is a
horticultural organization headquartered at the University of
Nebraska's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Over 100 species, including European Beech, Sweetgum, Blackgum,
Willow Oak, Fringe Tree, Balkan Pine and Japanese Kerria, have been
tried in the Arboretum.
The Governor Furnas Arboretum was planted in 1992 - 93 as a part
of a major arboretum development project designed and partially
funded by the Nebraska State Wide Arboretum's Community Landscape
Improvement Program.
Together with J. Morton Sterling, Furnas helped promote the
planting of trees across Nebraska and in 1874 while Furnas was
governor, he signed a proclamation declaring a day of tree planting
as Arbor Day. Today Arbor Day is celebrated on April
22.
For more information: John Lauber, Curator, P.O. Box 68,
Brownville, NE 68321, (402) 825-6637.
