Volunteer Park Conservatory Fights for Another 100 Years

The Volunteer Park Conservatory celebrates its centennial as supporters ensure it lives another day.

By Seattle Mag July 17, 2012

0812essentialsopener

This article originally appeared in the August 2012 issue of Seattle magazine.

When the Volunteer Park Conservatory opened its doors in 1912, there was no art museum, no “Black Sun” sculpture, no Shakespeare in the Park to keep it company. For 100 years, the Victorian botanical garden, built of cast iron and 3,426 panes of glass, has been treating visitors to rare bromeliads, ferns, palms, cacti, succulents and seasonal flora—and a few sweet, sweaty moments in the thick humidity our natural climate rarely provides. But despite its historic landmark status, the conservatory’s very existence hangs in the balance this year, due to city budget cuts. In May, a consultant hired by Seattle Parks and Recreation recommended a $3 or $4 entry fee (entry is currently free, with suggested donation) to offset costs. At press time, a decision was yet to be made. Meanwhile, the conservatory is holding a centennial celebration fundraiser, Victorian Day, wherein participants dress in period costume, play croquet, sample champagne and cake, and consider what a shame it would be to lose such a glinting, green gem.

8/12, 1–6 p.m. Event is free; croquet fundraiser entry fee $50–$60. 1400 E Galer St.; 206.322.4112; volunteerparkconservatory.org

Watch the video made by the Friends of the Conservatory:

 

Follow Us

Seattle: Again The Place To Be

Seattle: Again The Place To Be

Seattle nears pre-pandemic visitor levels in impressive turnaround

Visit Seattle released preliminary figures for 2023 at its annual meeting Wednesday, and found that the region hosted 37.8 million visitors last year, an 8.9% increase from 2022. That’s just 10% less than in 2019, the last full year before the pandemic.

Foot Traffic Rises Again in Downtown Seattle

Foot Traffic Rises Again in Downtown Seattle

Downtown Seattle Association: Slow recovery continues

Nearly 1.9 million visitors came downtown last month. Downtown averaged 85,000 daily workers, a 16% increase from February 2023. That, however, is only 57% compared to the same period in 2020, right before the pandemic.

Cream of the Chop: Top Chef Kaleena Bliss

Cream of the Chop: Top Chef Kaleena Bliss

Washington native competes on popular Bravo cooking competition

Seattleites will spot a familiar face on the latest season of Top Chef, set in Wisconsin this year. Chef Kaleena Bliss competes for the coveted title on the longstanding cooking competition franchise, now in its 21st year.

Washington’s Woeful Gender-Pay Gap

Washington’s Woeful Gender-Pay Gap

Women across the state earn significantly less than men

Women across the state made $18,4000 less in average wages than men in 2022. New research from the National Partnership for Women and Families found that only Utah has a larger discrepancy, at $20,649.