Oglethorpe recruited botanists from around the world to acquire plants for the project, such as cotton, spices, indigo and medicinal herbs.

The garden was hoped to bring success in the wine and silk industries and was centered on growing mulberry trees.

Hansell Hillyer acquired the Savannah Gas Company in 1945, and he and his wife, Mary, assisted in the preservation of the properties.

[1] Savannah Gas Company had previously purchased a tract of land adjoining Kehoe's iron works in 1923.

[6] An event facility, Kehoe Iron Works at Trustees' Garden, now operates on part of the land.