The Archbishop's Lilac

 March 22, 2021

By Seth McFarland

Saturday, March 20^th marked the official first day of Spring.   For the last few weeks, early signs of spring have been appearing with the green buds poking out, the arrival of various insects, and the birds beginning their migration north.   

In front of the Escue Chapel at the Santa Fe Trail Center is a small, almost inconspicuous shrub only a few feet tall.  The branches are beginning to produce buds, and I recently came to learn of the origins of this particular plant.    Although, it was relocated from where it was initially planted by the L’Dora School on the museum grounds, this particular plant has a very remarkable story.   

Many years ago, noted historian Marc Simmons donated a clipping of a lilac to the Santa Fe Trail Center from the original plant in Santa Fe, New Mexico.   That parent plant was in the private garden of French Archbishop John B. Lamy who was Santa Fe’s first bishop in 1853.  In 1875 he was promoted to archbishop.    Archbishop Lamy often retreated to secluded gardens near the St. Francis Cathedral, and another just north of Santa Fe in what is today known as Bishop’s Lodge.  

On one of the archbishop’s travels to his native France, he returned with a variety of plants including lilacs.  He traveled with these plants back across the Santa Fe Trail to his home in Santa Fe.   These lilacs were a special treat for the arid village of Santa Fe.  Today lilacs, lavender and fruit trees can still be found throughout the city.

After his death, the Archbishop’s gardens fell into disrepair.   Eventually, with the ever expanding city, his gardens were turned into parking lots.   It was through the efforts of Dr. Simmons that cuttings were preserved, and redistributed throughout the country to keep the Archbishop’s legacy alive. 

The next time you visit the Santa Fe Trail Center, be sure to look for the lilac.    With time and care, we hope to preserve it for future generations.