Alcatraz Historic Gardens

The Alcatraz Historic Gardens with the Power Plant seen in the background.
Alcatraz Historic Gardens Volunteer Docent Training

As a garden docent, you would welcome visitors into the gardens, share the stories of those who created and tended the gardens, and share the garden preservation work that was done.

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Flowers at the Alcatraz Gardens
Survivor plants on Alcatraz Island

Among the surviving ornmental plants are daffodils, fuchsias, agapanthus, pelargoniums, various succulents, fig trees, apple trees, walnut trees, artichokes, scented bearded iris and roses.

Cover image of the "Gardener of Alcatraz" storybook available for sale.
The Gardener of Alcatraz

A prisoner gardens his way to freedom in this inspiring picture-book biography.

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Alcatraz historic gardens
Alcatraz Gardens Virtual Tour

Take a virtual tour of the Alcatraz Historic Gardens

Gardens at Alcatraz
Visit the Alcatraz Historic Gardens

Learn more about visiting the historic gardens of Alcatraz.

Plants in the sunshine on Alcatraz Island.
Plants of Alcatraz Historic Gardens

Alcatraz gardeners needed tough plants that could survive with little water or care. The first ornamental plants that arrived to Alcatraz in the mid 1860s were typically favorite garden plants brought by soldier's families that called Alcatraz home.

Parks Conservancy staff shoveling compost at the Alcatraz Historic Gardens
Sustainable Gardening at Alcatraz Historic Gardens

Learn more about our sustainable gardening practices at Alcatraz Historic Gardens.

Mugshot of Alcatraz inmate and gardener Albert Smith
Incarcerated Gardeners: Albert Smith

Albert Smith, found guilty of four counts of robbery, was sentenced to serve 10 to 24 years in prison. He was sent to Alcatraz in 1945 after an attempted escape, and began work duties as a gardener the following year.

Historical mugshot of Richard Franseen, Alcatraz Inmate and gardener.
Incarcerated Gardeners: Richard Franseen

Richard Franseen was sentenced to Alcatraz from 1937 to 1946 for counterfeiting. By 1940, he was assigned to yard duties, tending to a greenhouse and a little garden.

A historical photo of an incarcerated gardener watering plants in the gardens of Alcatraz.
Alcatraz Incarcerated Gardeners

Learn about the stories of Alcatraz Island's incarcerated gardeners.

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