The area was opened in 1925 when pollution from St. Louis threatened the live plant collection, especially the orchid collection. The orchids were moved in 1926 but the pollution in St. Louis cleared up making it unnecessary to move the rest of the live plant collection.
The nature reserve has several historic homes, a large prairie, and a large wetland blind. Herons can be observed from the wetland blind. Over 10 miles of hiking trails run through the reserve.