Conservatory of Flowers - Millennium Rehabilitation

Millennium Rehabilitation

During the winter of 1995-1996, a series of large storms exacerbated the ongoing deterioration of the wood structure. The 100-mph winds blew out 30,000 fogged white glass panes in the Conservatory, shattered the white, glass dome, and weakened the structure. In addition fifteen percent of the plant collection was lost due to exposure to the cold, wintry air, and flying glass. After covering the holes with tarp and plywood and bringing in some heaters, the Conservatory contemplated farming out hundreds of plants to other institutions while the building was repaired. Some specimens however were too big or too old to move. The most challenging plant was the one hundred twelve year old Brazilian philodendron that inhabited the shattered dome. A greenhouse was built to house the philodendron and other plants during renovation and afterwards used for expansion and keeping more exotic plants.

The conservatory was placed on the 1996 World Monuments Watch by the World Monuments Fund. The Fund aimed to encourage repair rather replacement of the original fabric, and provided funding from financial services company American Express. In 1998, the National Trust for Historic Preservation adopted the Conservatory into its Save America's Treasures program, launched as part of First Lady Hillary Clinton's Millennium Council projects. The publicity from these efforts eventually led to a fundraising campaign to raise the twenty-five million dollars needed for rehabilitation, restoration, and stabilization of the Conservatory. The construction lasted from 1999 until 2003. On September 20, 2003, the restored Conservatory was once again opened to the public.