Fairmount Park Horticulture Center (Philadelphia) facts for kids
The Horticultural Center in Philadelphia is a super cool place where you can explore nature! It has an arboretum (that's like a big garden with lots of different trees), a greenhouse full of amazing plants, special gardens that show you how to grow things, and even a real Japanese house and garden.
You can find this awesome spot inside Fairmount Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It's usually open every day, except for holidays, and it's free to visit the grounds! If you want to see the Japanese house, there's a small fee.
The Horticultural Center was built for a big party in 1976 called the United States Bicentennial. This party celebrated 200 years since the United States became a country! The new center was built right where an older building, called Horticultural Hall, used to stand. That old hall was built way back in 1876 for another huge event called the Centennial Exposition.
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What You Can Explore at the Center
The grounds of the Horticultural Center are packed with interesting things to see and learn about. It's a great place for a family outing or a school trip!
The Centennial Arboretum
Imagine a giant outdoor museum for trees and plants! That's what the Centennial Arboretum is like. It covers about 27-acre (11 ha) of land. Here, you can walk around and discover all sorts of trees and plants from different parts of the world. It's a peaceful place to enjoy nature and learn about plant life.
The Amazing Greenhouse
One of the most exciting parts of the center is its huge greenhouse. It's about 31,000-square-foot (2,900 m2) big! Inside, you'll find a warm, humid world filled with tropical plants. These are plants that usually grow in hot, wet places like rainforests. You can see colorful flowers, giant leaves, and plants that look like they're from another planet! It's a fantastic way to experience a tropical climate without leaving Philadelphia.
Demonstration Gardens
Do you like gardening or want to learn how to grow your own food? The Horticultural Center has seven special demonstration gardens. These gardens are designed to show you different ways to plant and care for plants. You might see gardens focused on vegetables, herbs, or even plants that attract butterflies. They give you great ideas for your own garden at home!
Shofuso Japanese House and Garden
Step into a different culture at the Shofuso Japanese House and Garden. This isn't just any house; it's a real Japanese house built in a special style from the 16th century called shoin-zukuri. It was actually built in Japan and then brought to Philadelphia! The house is surrounded by a beautiful, peaceful Japanese garden with ponds, rocks, and carefully placed plants. It's a wonderful place to learn about Japanese art and design.
