Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory
Mitchell Park Domes
Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory
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Type	Public
Location	Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Nearest city	Milwaukee
Area	45,000 square feet (4,200 m²)
Created	1959 (1959)
Visitors	200,000+
Species	1,800
Public transit access	MCTS
Website	https://www.mitchellparkdomes.com

The Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory, often called the Mitchell Park Domes or just The Domes, is a special place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It's like a giant greenhouse where you can see plants from all over the world! The Domes are part of the Milwaukee County Park System. They replaced an older conservatory that was there from 1898 to 1955. These three amazing domes show off a huge variety of plants.

What Are the Domes?
- Keeping the Domes in Shape
Explore the Domes
Mitchell Park History
Images for kids
See also

What Are the Domes?

The entrance to the Domes

The Domes lit up at night

Exploring inside one of the Domes

The Domes were designed to look like three giant beehives made of glass. Each dome is about 140 feet (43 meters) wide and 85 feet (26 meters) tall. They are known as the world's first "conoidal" domes, which means they have a unique curved shape. Together, they cover a huge area of 45,000 square feet (4,180 square meters). They were built in different stages between 1959 and 1967.

A central area connects the three domes. This lobby was updated in 2008. There's also a smaller dome behind the main ones that isn't open to the public. It's where they grow extra plants and a collection of beautiful orchids. More than 200,000 people visit the Domes every year!

Keeping the Domes in Shape

The Domes have needed some repairs over the years to keep them looking great. In the summer of 2008, the Conservatory closed for a while. Workers replaced about 800 cracked glass panels. The lobby also got a new look, and a generous donation helped pay for a new lighting system. The Domes reopened in October 2008 with big crowds. They even held concerts there! Other improvements included a new parking lot, outdoor landscaping, and a new learning center.

In February 2016, the Domes had to close again because of worries about their structure. But by the end of 2016, after important repairs, all three domes were open for visitors once more. In 2017, a new greenhouse complex was built behind the Conservatory. This helps them grow even more plants for the displays.

In 2019, a study looked at the Domes because of some wear and tear. While one report suggested tearing them down, many people, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation, disagreed. They believe the Domes are an important historical landmark that should be saved.

Explore the Domes

Each of the three domes has its own special climate. This allows them to show off different types of plants from around the world.

The Floral Show Dome

The Floral Show Dome opened in December 1964. This dome is famous for its four seasonal shows and a special holiday display in December. Each show has a fun theme. Some themes are based on different cultures, like Japan or Germany. Others might be inspired by books, like "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, or historical events.

In recent years, the Winter Show has featured an amazing garden railway display. Model train clubs from Wisconsin help set up this huge indoor display. It has become one of the most popular attractions at the Domes!

The Tropical Dome

The Tropical Dome opened in February 1966. Step inside, and you'll feel like you're in a rainforest! This dome is home to almost 1,000 different kinds of plants. Many of them are important fruit-bearing plants, like bananas, papayas, guavas, and even cacao (where chocolate comes from!). One cacao tree is over 60 years old and still grows fruit every year. You can also see tall hardwood trees like mahoganies and ebony. A rare curare vine also grows here.

The Tropical Dome is always decorated with colorful blooming plants, including many beautiful orchids. A giant kapok tree stands tall in the center of the dome. It's one of the tallest trees growing under glass! It used to be 95 feet (29 meters) high, but now it's kept at a more manageable 60 feet (18 meters). Besides plants, you might even spot some colorful birds flying around!

The Desert Dome

The Desert Dome opened in November 1967. This dome takes you to dry, sandy places around the world. It has many plants from the Americas and Africa. The American section features plants from the Sonoran Desert, including cacti, shrubs, and trees.

The African section has plants like aloes and euphorbias. You can also see the unusual Welwitschia plant. This plant only has two leaves that keep growing throughout its life. It can live for over a thousand years! Another part of the Desert Dome shows off plants from Madagascar. Many of these were grown from seeds brought directly from Madagascar.

Mitchell Park History

The Domes are located in Mitchell Park, which is one of the first parks ever created in Milwaukee. The park started with 5 acres (2 hectares) of land donated by John L. Mitchell. The park was named after him. Over time, more land was added, making the park just over 60 acres (24 hectares) in size.

On a bluff in the park, overlooking the Menomonee Valley, there's a monument. It marks the spot of an old trading post built by Jacques Vieau. Vieau was an early settler and fur trader. He was also the father-in-law of Solomon Juneau, one of Milwaukee's founders. South of the Conservatory, there used to be beautiful formal gardens and a water feature. These were opened in 1904 but were removed in the late 1980s due to budget cuts.