History of the Greenhouse and Collection
The Conservatory was among the earliest major additions to Volunteer Park. The project was proposed in 1893 as a Victorian-style greenhouse, meant to serve as the jewel box of Seattle's Olmsted Parks system. It would crown the north-end of Volunteer Park beyond its magnificent, tree-lined promenade.
The City of Seattle purchased the conservatory design and framework as a kit. The entire structure was sent cross country by rail from the Hitchings Company of New York. The City's Parks Department erected the building and, in 1912, opened Volunteer Park Conservatory to great public fanfare.
Modeled on the great Victorian conservatories of Europe, the building itself is a work of art and a living museum. It has housed an impressive collection of plant species from around the world for over a century.
Original portions still intact today: The wooden (Swamp Cypress, Taxodium distichum) “peacock” window or lunette above the main entry, and the steel frame or “skeleton” manufactured by Carnegie Steel of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. If you look closely you will see “carnegie steel” embossed on parts of this framework.
About the Plant Collection
The plant collections in the Conservatory are unique in Seattle, providing an opportunity for people to enjoy and learn about tropical and desert plants and environments. The combination of living botany museum with ever-changing curated artistic presentations of plants inside this amazing glass house - this is a one-of-a-kind experience!
History of Friends of the Conservatory
1970s-1990s
Over the years, the Conservatory has required significant investment to adequately maintain the building and collections. The first major restoration occurred in the 1950s, replacing the original swamp cyprus frames with a more durable wood. However, this would not be a long-term solution.
Seattle experienced a period of difficulty in the early 1970s. The city had been hit hard by the national recession and unemployment reached double digits. By the time the Conservatory celebrated its 65th birthday, the iron frame holding the glass work had deteriorated significantly. During high winds, the building was closed out of concern that glass might fall on staff or visitors. Fearing that the Conservatory might be closed permanently, a grassroots group of citizens demanded the City not allow the jewel of the parks system to collapse in disrepair.
By 1977, the economy had improved, and the city was beginning to see new investment and construction. The City of Seattle allocated $250,000 to the project. Working closely with the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation, the citizens' group raised the additional $250,000 needed to replace the glass panes, wood sashes, and iron framework.
The campaign to save the Conservatory drew attention to the need for citizens’ oversight over important cultural landmarks. The Seattle City Council formally approved the formation of a citizens' advisory committee by ordinance in 1980. The group responsible for spearheading the effort registered “Friends of the Conservatory” (FOC) as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and officially incorporated on behalf of the people of Seattle. Together with Seattle Parks staff, the FOC staff, board, and volunteers provide stewardship, advocacy, and programming for the Conservatory.
2000-Present
In 2012 the FOC commemorated the Conservatory's centennial anniversary, with a lavish summertime celebration, offering the community a glimpse of Seattle as it may have appeared in 1912. Visitors of all ages and backgrounds were treated to period costume, a croquet tournament, live music and box lunches.
As advocates, the FOC has been instrumental in keeping the Conservatory open, through direct engagement with the Seattle City Council and Parks Department. Thanks to support from individual and family donations and support from the community, the FOC has ensured the Conservatory's doors remain open to the public.
FOC kicked off the most recent restoration campaign, which raised over $3M capital funding to complete the restoration of the Conservatory’s Seasonal and Cactus houses. This project also included the construction of a new multipurpose wing, replacing the decommissioned upper east production house. This space is shared between the Conservatory gardeners and FOC for production, plant shows, and educational programming. In 2019 the new growhouse was named the "Sharon Priebe Educational Wing '' in honor of one of FOC's most impactful charter members (pictured above wielding a sledge hammer) and was re-dedicated in 2023.