Connie Abbey has an enduring connection to nature—a swirl of happy memories of bird-watching and leaf collecting with her father, R. Henry Norweb Jr., and exploring the lush landscapes around her grandparents’ Bratenahl home.

Henry Norweb initially ran the organization on a shoestring, working with a modest staff that included Elizabeth, who set up a library system at the arboretum. Before his 1983 retirement, Henry Norweb expanded the site by another 1,500 acres—a symbol of a rocky start that smoothed once he began networking with horticulturists and other experts.

Spigelia marilandica The idea took shape in 1931 when Holden’s sister, Roberta Holden Bole, donated its first 100 acres. In later years, this work carried on to Abbey’s father, the first paid director of The Holden Arboretum, who filled that role from 1958 to 1983.

In March, the Abbeys donated $1 million toward enhancing the visitor experience at The Holden Arboretum, which now operates under the parent company name, Holden Forests & Gardens, which also includes Cleveland Botanical Garden.

“This extraordinary gift from Connie and Paul Abbey will help strengthen how people experience Holden for generations to come,” said Ed Moydell, president and CEO of Holden Forests & Gardens, in a press release. “Their support advances our efforts to create more accessible, engaging, and inspiring experiences across our campuses, ensuring that more people can connect with the beauty of our landscapes, explore our collections, and understand the essential role trees and plants play in healthy communities.”

Located in Lake County, Holden Arboretum encompasses more than 3,600 acres with 22,000 member households. As a child, Abbey had only a vague understanding of her family’s deep footprint within the self-named conservation space—all she knew was her personal love of trees, plants and animals.

“There was a lasting peace and beauty which I always understood,” says Abbey. “I knew the importance of conserving land, but the health benefits didn’t register as much.”

Holden Forests & Gardens board leaders Connie and Paul Abbey.Learning on the fast track
The family’s generational ties to the institution began a century ago with an unrealized vision to convert their Bratenahl estate into a public green space. After settling on a location in Kirtland, the site grew from its original 100 acres to 1,000, largely due to the 1956 acquisition of the 556-acre Shadybook farm.

Holden became a not-for-profit organization in 1952, following years of oversight by The Cleveland Museum of Natural History. R. Henry Norweb Jr. took the reins a few years later. Though initially reluctant to take the position, the former Harvard history major eventually grew to love the work, his daughter says.

“My grandmother [Emery May Holden Norweb] saw it as a mantle of responsibility when she passed it onto my dad,” Abbey says. “You may not want this job, but we need someone to direct this organization. As the oldest son and a Clevelander, you’re expected to run it. But Dad made friendships and connections he never dreamed of. It became a source of great joy for him and my mom [Elizabeth Gardener Norweb].”

Henry Norweb initially ran the organization on a shoestring, working with a modest staff that included Elizabeth, who set up a library system at the arboretum. Before his 1983 retirement, Henry Norweb expanded the site by another 1,500 acres—a symbol of a rocky start that smoothed once he began networking with horticulturists and other experts.

“Dad had to learn on the fast track, but he was a quick study,” recalls Abbey. “All these people he met had so much passion, and the work just caught fire by the early ‘60s. He was all in.”

A history of visionary leadership
Connie Abbey, previously a volunteer and committee member with Holden, joined the arboretum board upon her father’s death in 1995. Since then, she’s led the organization through numerous milestones, including a merger of the arboretum with Cleveland Botanical Garden. Paul Abbey became the first chair of Holden Forests & Gardens post-merger, later acting as interim CEO.

Long Center for Plant & Environmental Science at Holden Arboretum.Education and advocacy remain at the forefront of the duo’s day-to-day duties. For his part, Paul is eager to remind visitors that the Arboretum complex houses the research-oriented Long Center for Plant & Environmental Science.

“Education and research have taken hold over the years, and that’s something we all benefit from,” says Paul.

Holden president and CEO Moydell says the Abbeys’ impact is unsurprising, given the visionary leadership in their DNA.

“Family ties mean the world—we are lucky to have multiple founding families, including the Cornings and others,” Moydell said in an interview with FreshWater. “This provides continuity and context, while reinforcing the long-term view of our work. Having people know where we come from and can be going is really vital.”

Holden welcomes about 350,000 guests annually, with half visiting the arboretum. Though details are to come, the Abbeys’ $1 million gift will elevate an experience already boasting a canopy walk and breathtaking views of the surrounding area, adds Moydell.

Reflecting on her roots with the organization, Connie Abbey simply wants more people to discover this historic Cleveland gem.

“My dad used to say that the core of Holden is its collections, trails, and paths, but its essence goes way beyond that,” says Abbey. “There’s something new to see daily, and there’s that special multigenerational connection, too. I get to think about my family and how this work has shaped my life.”