The Secret Treasures of Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens!

Описание: Hello Family and welcome back to OUR WILD OHIO!

If you're looking for a way to beat the winter blues, well come with us as we explore The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in downtown Columbus Ohio!

The history stretches back to 1852 when the land was a county fairground, evolving into a public park and a world-class horticultural institution known for its historic glasshouse and art collections.
Early History and the Palm House (1852-1895)
Fairgrounds: In 1852, the Franklin County Agriculture Society purchased 88 acres two miles east of downtown Columbus for the first Franklin County Fair. The site later became the official grounds for the Ohio State Fair from 1874 to 1884.
Public Park: The Ohio Legislature declared the site as Franklin Park for public use in 1884, inspired by the "City Beautiful" movement.
The Palm House: Inspired by Victorian glasshouses and Chicago's 1893 World's Fair, the city built a grand Victorian-style glass greenhouse, known today as the John F. Wolfe Palm House. It opened to the public in 1895. This structure is one of five remaining Victorian glasshouses in the United States and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
Growth and Transformation (1989-Present)
AmeriFlora '92: The park and Conservatory were selected as the host site for AmeriFlora '92, a six-month international horticulture exposition celebrating Columbus' bicentennial. This led to a significant $14 million renovation and expansion of the facility, which added 58,000 square feet of space including new plant biomes, classrooms, and a gift shop.
Independent Management: After AmeriFlora, the Ohio Legislature created the Franklin Park Conservatory Joint Recreation District, a nonprofit entity, for the Conservatory's long-term management, separating it from the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department.
Art and Exhibitions: The Conservatory gained national recognition with its "Blooms & Butterflies" exhibition, the first seasonal butterfly show in the U.S., which debuted in 1994. In 2003, it hosted a popular exhibition of Dale Chihuly's glass artwork, many pieces of which were subsequently purchased to become a permanent collection. The Conservatory now owns the largest privately held collection of Chihuly glass in a botanical garden.
Expansion of Gardens and Programs: The institution rebranded as the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in 2008 to reflect an expanded focus on outdoor gardens and educational initiatives. Later additions include the four-acre ScottsMiracle-Gro Community Garden Campus and the ScottsMiracle-Gro Foundation Children's Garden, which opened in 2018.
Today, the Franklin Park Conservatory remains a vital cultural and educational hub in Columbus, offering diverse plant collections, world-class art installations, and a range of community programs.
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