1972
John S. Lehmann Building opens.

John S. Lehmann Building. Exterior. Shoenberg fountain in foreground.

John S. Lehmann Building. Exterior in spring with Tower Grove House in background.

John S. Lehmann Building opens providing the Garden with the first new botanical research facility in over half a century. The construction of the Lehmann Building was due to the efforts and vision of Dr. David Gates who resigned as Garden Director the year prior in 1971. The completion of the building would provide the new Director, Dr. Peter Raven, with a modern research facility that would enable the rapid growth of Research Department that would be seen under his leadership.