A Mid-America Arboretum and Public Gardens
Arguably the most well-known feature of Shelter's corporate office is Shelter Insurance Gardens. Just beyond the beautiful stone-and-wrought-iron gates are five acres containing over 300 varieties of trees and shrubs and more than 15,000 annuals and perennials.
The gardens are open to the public daily between 8 a.m. and dusk (except Christmas Day, when the gardens are closed).
Anyone is welcome to visit, including students, scientists and school groups—even small weddings. Visitors use the gardens as a picnic spot, a space for relaxation, and an ideal place to take a stroll.
Shelter Gardens are frequented by horticulture and forestry students from schools and universities in the Columbia area. Elementary students also visit on class trips to gather specimens for leaf collections. A representative of every variety of plant life in the gardens has botanical information listed for the species, including its scientific and common names.
The Shelter Gardens contain 14 features, including a waterfall, rock garden, Vietnam veterans' memorial, replica 19th century one-room school house, and garden for the blind.
The Shelter Insurance® corporate offices and gardens are located at 1817 West Broadway in Columbia, Missouri. For more information about the gardens or to schedule a wedding, please call 573-445-8441.