About Us

Founding and Early History

Oasis Greenhouse in 1971


Oasis Greenhouse was founded in 1980 by esteemed biologist and bioengineering expert James L. Hawkley, with funding from the Biological Association of Massachusetts. Hawkley chose his hometown of Eventide Valley not just for sentimental value, as he believed that the climate of the town would be the most suitable for growing specific exotic plants.

In the early years, the greenhouse received all of its revenue from dontations and contracts with schools to provide field trips for students. Money was scarce, and the greenhouse barely had enough space and resources for a few tropical and subtropical plants, far from the local-plantlife-oriented vision of Hawkely. As he stated in his autobiography:

"The state of the Greenhouse [in 1982] was deplorable - a mockery of my scientific vigor. The collection was even smaller than my first lab over in Arizona... with just what is now the Floral Selection, some scattered specimens of Roystonea borinquena and Hedera helix, and no real purpose for the Collection..."

In 1983, the greenhouse received a burst of donations from the Eventide Media Group -- the beginning of a long partnership with the organization, and one that continues to this day. The funding provided the resources to formally launch the Tropical and Subtropical Collection, and build the area with would one day house the Local Collection and the Oasis.

The Oasis Project

Oasis Greenhouse in 1971