2006 Liff Spirit Award Honoree

Henry Lee

Founder, Friends of the Public Garden

Henry-Lee Henry Lee is a Bostonian whose name is synonymous with the Friends of the Public Garden. He has guided that organization since its founding in 1970 and he has worked tirelessly to protect, enhance and restore the portion of the Emerald Necklace that includes the Boston Common, the Public Garden and the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. People respectfully remark that Henry knows every square inch of these parks and can identify the provenance of virtually every tree planted therein.

Over the years, Henry Lee’s efforts have led to increasing public awareness of the importance of green space to the quality of life in the great metropolitan area. He embodies the best in parks advocacy, and his commitment, dedication and grace inspire all in both the public and private sector. Henry, who served for many years on the board of the Massachusetts Olmsted Parks Association and on the Visiting Committee of the Arnold Arboretum, was one of Justine Mee Liff’s mentors and friends.

Past Recipients

2022
Kathy Abbott
President and CEO, Boston Harbor Now

2019
Kathryn Ott Lovell
Commissioner, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation

2018
Kelsey Wirth
Founder, Mothers Out Front

2017
Whitney Hatch
Chairman, DCR Stewardship Council

2016
Ropes & Gray
Celebrating 150 Year Anniversary

2015
Mark Volpe
Managing Director, Boston Symphony Orchestra

2014
Elizabeth Barlow Rogers
Founder, Central Park Conservancy

2013
Thomas M. and Angela Menino
Mayor and First Lady, City of Boston

2012
Malcolm Rogers
Ann and Graham Gund Director,
Museum of Fine Arts Boston

2011
Valerie Burns
President, Boston Natural Areas Network

2010
Charles Ansbacher
Conductor and Founder,
Boston Landmark Orchestra

2009
Michael and Kitty Dukakis
Former Governor and First Lady,
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

2008
Joan and Ted Cutler
Philanthropists

2007
Agnes “Diddy” Cullinane
Founder, Black and White Boston

2006
Henry Lee
Founder, Friends of the Public Garden

2005
Eugenie Beal
Founding Chair, Boston Conservation Commission
Founding Member, Emerald Necklace Conservancy

Norman Leventhal
Founder, The Beacon Companies