New York Botanical Garden’s landmarked glass conservatory reopens after $18M restoration
Photo courtesy of the New York Botanical Garden
The palm dome of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory at the New York Botanical Garden reopened on Monday after an $18 million restoration project. Constructed by Lord & Burnham from 1899 to 1902, the stunning glass greenhouse features 11 galleries with plants from around the world, including the garden’s Palms of the World gallery. The Haupt Conservancy, which has been closed since March 15 because of the coronavirus pandemic, will reopen to the public at limited capacity on September 22.
The restoration project, which began last April, included an infrastructure upgrade led by Jan Hird Pokorny Associates and Silman Structural Engineers. The project focused on the central dome above the Palms of the World gallery, which includes the cupola, the upper dome, drum, and the lower dome.
The wood-cladding around the drum and the wood cornice, originally made with first-growth bald cypress, were replaced with cast and extruded aluminum components that will require less maintenance, according to the garden. Additional upgrades were made to the dome’s mechanical and electrical systems, public restrooms, exhibition and path lighting, and the bluestone pavers were repaired.
Along with the restoration of the dome, the garden added dozens of new palm species to the Palms of the World gallery, while preserving about 180 plants during the restoration. New palms in the collection include the petticoat palm, Bailey’s Fan Palm, and the parasol palm.
“For 118 years, visitors from our local communities here in the Bronx and around the globe have delighted in the treasures contained in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory,” NYBG Chair J. Barclay Collins II said in a press release.
The Palms of the World gallery displays both New and Old World palms, cycads, ferns, warm-climate monocots, and ground covers.
Visitors can use the NYBG’s Palm Dome interactive mobile guide while exploring the galleries for an even more immersive experience. Timed tickets to the garden must be purchased in advance here.
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Photos courtesy of the New York Botanical Garden
