| 1881 |
|
Michael B. Olbrich is born in Illinois. |
| 1905 |
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Michael Olbrich graduates from U.W.-Madison Law School. |
| 1916 |
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Michael Olbrich envisions a sweeping park and flower garden on land adjacent to Lake Monona. |
| 1920 |
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At Michael Olbrich's invitation, Prairie School designer and landscape architect O.C. Simonds creates a plan for the development of the park. |
| 1921 |
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Michael Olbrich purchases 3,500 feet of Lake Monona shoreline. The City of Madison takes title of the land destined to become Olbrich Park. |
| 1922 |
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The Madison Parks Foundation is formed to raise money for the park. |
| 1929 |
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Michael Olbrich dies. The City votes to name the park in his honor. |
| 1931 |
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The City of Madison takes over the park system designed by John Olin. |
| 1933 |
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The first flower plantings in Olbrich Park appear, planted by volunteers of the Madison
Garden Club. |
| 1935 |
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The first Master Plan for Olbrich Park outlines a botanical gardens within its boundaries and includes the design of the Sunken Garden. |
| 1952 |
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Olbrich Botanical Gardens is born! The Madison Park Commission allocates $22,000 to begin construction of the "Olbrich Park Gardens." The Sunken Garden shelters are the first structures built on the property. |
| 1955 |
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Stan Hill becomes Olbrich Gardens' first horticulturist. |
| 1962 |
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The Olbrich Garden Center Club (now the Olbrich Garden Club) is formed. |
| 1965 |
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The Olin Fountain is constructed. |
| 1971 |
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Madison architect Stu Gallaher designs the Olbrich Garden Center building, now called the Atrium. |
| 1975 |
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A second Master Plan is adopted for Olbrich Gardens. The Great Lawn is created. |
| 1978 |
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The Garden Center building, now called the Atrium, is built with help from the Olbrich Garden Center Club for $380,000. |
| 1979 |
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The Olbrich Botanical Society is founded to support the Gardens. |
| 1982 |
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The Herb and Rock Gardens are developed. |
| 1986 |
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Stu Gallaher designs the new Botanical Center building and conservatory. |
| 1987 |
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Parks Department Landscape Architect Nancy Ragland becomes Olbrich's first director. |
| 1991 |
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The Botanical Center and Bolz Conservatory are completed with three-fourths of the $4,600,000 raised from private donations. |
| 1992 |
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The Wildflower Garden is developed. |
| 1993 |
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A third Master Plan by Ken Saiki Design, Inc. of Madison and Sasaki and Associates of Massachusetts includes the Sunken Garden, Perennial Garden, and Donor's Arbor. |
| 1997 |
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The Sunken Garden is completed. The five-acre Garver property and 17 adjoining acres behind the Gardens are acquired by Olbrich Gardens for future garden expansion. |
| 1999 |
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The Perennial Garden is completed. |
| 2000 |
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Fourth Master Plan by Ken Saiki Design, Inc. includes the Garver property and new Rose Garden. The Thai Garden and Pavilion are developed. |
| 2001 |
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Construction of Olbrich's Thai Pavilion and Garden. |
| 2002 |
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Olbrich Botanical Gardens celebrates its 50th Anniversary. |
| 2005 |
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New Rose Garden is developed. |
