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. In addition, the gardens will close when there's inclement weather.
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.