What is Goodell Gardens and Homestead?
Goodell Gardens & Homestead is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to create an education-oriented botanical garden and arboretum on the 78-acre Goodell family farm within the borough of Edinboro, Pennsylvania by emulating the Goodell family passion for gardening and horticulture.

Goodell Gardens & Homestead was begun initially by the sole-remaining heirs to the Goodell family estate, Carrie and Margaret Goodell. The Goodell Sisters arranged for the creation of a small endowment, to be held at the Erie Community Foundation, which would afford the initial budget whereby the newly-formed Goodell Gardens would implement the sister's wish that the site become a public garden. Eventually Goodell Gardens & Homestead attained non-profit status and has since operated as a stand-alone entity, with no formal ties to either the Erie Community Foundation or Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

The Garden's historic relevance is derived from the farmstead property belonging to the Goodell family since 1876 (originally purchased by the sister’s grandfather George Goodell). The Goodell family itself is also interlaced with the early beginnings of Edinboro as a town, as they were involved in the early business, political and educational developments. From a horticultural perspective, Carrie's Heritage Garden is historically significant in the diversity of cultivated plant species held, along with its being representative of American old-fashioned or heirloom gardening in general.

Our Mission
To hold and maintain botanical and historical collections for exhibition and interpretation in order to encourage public understanding and appreciation of plants, their relationship to humanity, and the heritage of the Goodell family. This mission is accomplished through educational programming and the adaptive reuse of the buildings, land, and artifacts of the Goodell homestead and farm.