History

The Mary May Binney Wakefield Arboretum lies within the Davenport Estate Historic District,
which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. John Davenport was the first of ten
generations to live on this land. In 1707, he purchased 49 acres and built the original
farmhouse, which now serves as the arboretum’s staff offices, between 1710 and 1730. Isaac
Davenport, John’s great-grandson, became involved in the Asia trade and built the mansion
house in 1794. The carriage barn was added in 1864. Over these 300 years, land use reflected
the evolution of Milton from small-scale farming to 20 th -century suburbs. Beginning in the
middle of the 20 th century. Mary May Binney Wakefield, the last family resident, designed and
created the gardens and arboretum that exist today.