A friend and I recently spent a sunny summer afternoon at one of the largest and most spectacular greenhouse conservatories in America. The Garfield Park Conservatory, located on Chicago’s West Side, is often referred to as “landscape under glass” and contains permanent plant exhibits with plants from all over the world.
The Conservatory was built between 1906 and 1907 by Jens Jensen, chief landscape architect and superintendent of Chicago’s West Park Commission. Jensen collaborated with Prairie School architects Schmidt, Garden and Martin and the engineering firm of Hitchings and Company, from New York. Old buildings were demolished and a simpler glass structure put in their place, complementing the plants and foliage that it contains. Jensen’s concept of naturalistic landscapes under glass was a great innovation at that time and still forms the basis of the Conservatory’s displays today.
The Conservatory underwent a major renovation in 1994 after a long period of neglect. The Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance, a non-profit organization, now helps maintain the buildings and grounds and provides programs and services for visitors.
The Conservatory features many programs and special events throughout the year. This summer, it will have many classes such as one on beekeeping. Another is the Artists Flower Show, showcasing the flowers and plants that many artists use for pigments for their artwork. The program runs from July 1—September 13, 2026. The garden features flowers and plants that have been used throughout history to create pigments and dyes for textiles, inks, paints and cosmetics.
Enchanted, my companion and I wandered through rooms filled with tropical plants like hibiscus and palm trees, with enormous fern and other plants populating a “jungle” floor. Waterfalls streamed down into pools and the air was moist and humid, a necessity to preserve the plants and trees. There was a room of desert plants like cacti and aloe, with cactus flowers blooming and stones scattered strategically on the sand. Needless to say, the atmosphere was much drier than in the “jungle” room. We returned to the outside eventually and gazed once more at the Artists Flower Show, marveling at the colors of the blooms on display and plants used for dyes. Nearby is the Children’s Garden, open from May 1, 2026. It features many botanical exhibits specifically geared to little ones and is accessible to children with disabilities. Schoolchildren on field trips are welcome to explore the gardens and exhibits. Classes at the Conservatory are open to all who wish to attend. College students are also welcome, though they must present a valid ID.
Free outdoor picnic space is available for those who wish to have lunch outside. Lunchrooms are open to those who wish to eat indoors. Visitors must bring their own lunch, as there is no cafeteria available on the grounds. The Conservatory has “themed field trips” for different grades. Themes include “Introduction to Plants” for pre-K through third grade and “Pollination” for children in the first to fifth grades. There will be more themes to come.
Private tours for adults are also available. To make a reservation for tours and other groups, potential visitors should go to the Conservatory’s web site (garfieldconservatory.org) and follow the prompts. The Conservatory is closed Monday and Tuesday and is open Wednesday and Thursday to Sunday.
