Some organizations celebrate a milestone. Others use it to set the course for the future.
As The Dawes Arboretum approached its 100th anniversary, the organization found itself at a turning point: a new executive director, growing staff, a major new visitor center on the horizon, and a renewed sense of purpose around what makes Dawes unique.
The team came to 19 Ideas to help shape how that moment would be introduced to the public, beginning with a centennial identity and communications platform that honored the past while looking forward to the next hundred years.
Preparing for the Next Century
Founded in 1929, The Dawes Arboretum is a nationally accredited Level IV arboretum located outside Columbus, Ohio. Spanning more than 2,000 acres and welcoming over 110,000 visitors annually, the organization is dedicated to enriching lives through the conservation of trees, nature, and history.
Unlike many arboreta, Dawes also preserves the history of the Dawes family and the land itself, operating as both a living tree museum and a cultural archive.
As the organization approached its centennial, leadership saw an opportunity to align communications, celebrate its legacy, and introduce a forward-looking vision for the next century.
19 Ideas was engaged to develop a centennial logo, supporting communications materials, digital assets, and social media content to launch the celebration and frame the milestone for visitors, donors, and the broader community.
Understanding the Moment
Before beginning design work, we worked with Dawes’ leadership to understand the broader organizational context surrounding the centennial.
Several major shifts were underway:
- The organization had recently transitioned from a family foundation to a public charity
- A new executive director had taken the helm
- Staff had nearly doubled in size since 2020
- Plans were underway for a new visitor center and expanded programming
At the same time, the organization was navigating public perception around admission fees and evolving visitor expectations.
Designing a Centennial Identity
Our creative work began with the development of a 100th anniversary logo to complement Dawes’ existing brand.
The arboretum’s bur oak leaf logo has long served as an iconic symbol for the organization, representing one of the first species planted on the property and a tree beloved by the founding family.
Rather than reinventing that identity, the centennial mark celebrates it.
The final design incorporates the bur oak motif into a commemorative seal, paired with the phrase “Growing Together 100 Years” — a message that speaks to both community and conservation.
The identity was designed to work seamlessly across digital platforms, print materials, and environmental graphics throughout the multi-year celebration.
Building a Communications Platform
Beyond the visual identity, we helped Dawes articulate how the centennial would be introduced and discussed publicly.
Deliverables included:
- Executive director announcement messaging
- Anniversary talking points for staff and leadership
- Email launch communications
- Website copy updates
These tools ensured the organization could speak consistently about the milestone across media interviews, donor communications, and visitor outreach.
Clear messaging turns a moment into a movement.
Launching the Celebration
To support the public announcement, we developed organic social media content designed to build anticipation, reveal the centennial identity, and continue the conversation.
Posts included:
- A teaser post to introduce the upcoming milestone
- A launch announcement unveiling the centennial identity
- A follow-up message celebrating the beginning of the anniversary year
The content balanced history, optimism, and visual storytelling — helping audiences connect the arboretum’s legacy with its future.
Because when you’re celebrating a century, the announcement should feel like the beginning, not the conclusion.
Conclusion
For nearly a century, The Dawes Arboretum has preserved land, protected trees, and connected people to the natural world.
The centennial celebration offered a chance to reflect on that legacy and to introduce a new chapter for the organization.
We were proud to help mark the moment.
After all, the best way to celebrate 100 years of conservation is to start planning for the next hundred.
