Peeking through the glass walls, a tropical paradise awaits. This is the Lincoln Park Conservatory. It stands as a testament to Chicago’s love for nature.
Let’s step inside this Victorian-era glass house. It was built in the late nineteenth century. The Lincoln Park Conservatory houses four rooms. Each room displays exotic plants from around the world. Rare orchids flourish here. The Moth orchid is a highlight.
The Lincoln Park Conservatory’s history stretches back to 1877. Initially, it was a small greenhouse. But Chicago’s growing population craved more green spaces. City leaders decided to build something grander.
Joseph Lyman Silsbee and M.E. Bell designed this exotic glass conservatory. People called it a paradise under glass. In 1897, even the Egyptian government requested water lily seeds. The Lincoln Park Conservatory’s plants were that popular.
Built between 1890 and 1895, the Lincoln Park Conservatory showcases stunning architecture. Silsbee used ogee arches. This gave the conservatory its unique exotic form.
Inside the Lincoln Park Conservatory, discover the vestibule. Then explore four display halls. There are also fifteen propagating houses. The vestibule and Palm House opened in 1892. Giant palms and rubber trees fill this space.
Look for the 50-foot fiddle-leaf rubber tree. It was planted in 1891. Over twelve palm varieties thrive here. Spot the Dwarf Sugar palm. Admire the Bottle and Fiji Fan palms. Don’t miss the Everglade palms too. You can also see food-producing plants. Banana plants, grapefruit trees, and coffee trees grow here. Even cacao trees can be found.
The Fern Room opened in 1895. It sits five and a half feet below ground. Here, you will find plants of the forest floor. A vast collection of ferns surrounds you. The cycads are among the most historical plants. These plants existed 250 million years ago. They resemble conifers and ginkgo trees more than palms.
The Tropical Room became the Orchid Room. It holds about 25,000 natural species. Hundreds of orchids and bromeliads fill the air. Tropical carnivorous plants also reside here. Like bromeliads, orchids get water from the room’s humidity.
The Show House hosts seasonal flower exhibits. The Spring Flower Show starts in January. It ends in May. The Tropical Summer Show follows. It runs from June to September. The Winter Flower and Train Show concludes the year. It starts in November and ends in January.
Outside, a formal garden enhances the Lincoln Park Conservatory’s beauty. This garden dates back to the 1870s. Sculptures and art adorn the garden. The Bates fountains are famous. So is the Schiller monument.
The Shakespeare monument stands across the street. It’s in the Grandmother’s Garden. The Formal Garden blooms between May and June. The peak viewing time is July and August. The display lasts until mid-October.
The Lincoln Park Conservatory underwent alterations in 1925. The original terrace was removed. The entryway gained a bell-shaped roof. In 1954, the front expanded again. This created public washrooms and a solid entryway.
Before you leave the Lincoln Park Conservatory, remember its purpose. It’s a place for exotic plants. It’s a place to escape. It is a green and lush haven in Chicago. Take a stroll and let yourself be transported.