Public Invited to Be a Part of Phipps Conservatory’s Glasshouse Restoration

For Immediate Release: Thurs., July 12
 

Contact: Julie LaBar | Director of Marketing and Communications
412/638-6008 ǀ jlabar@phipps.conservatory.org

Public Invited to Be a Part of Phipps Conservatory’s Glasshouse Restoration 
Guests can help preserve Phipps’ legacy by purchasing panes of glass in major enhancement project.

Pittsburgh, PA — To commemorate its 125th anniversary, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens’ historic Palm Court glasshouse is undergoing a critical restoration this year.  Phipps invites the public to participate in this exciting project, which includes recreating the signature crowning ogee crest that has been missing from the conservatory for over 80 years.

Through Phipps’ newly launched interactive site — phipps.conservatory.org/restore — guests can now sponsor a glass pane of Palm Court, restoring the skyline to its original, stunning design and preserving Phipps’ beauty for generations to come.  

Guests can choose to honor the memory of a loved one through this donation, a treasured gift that weaves the memories of donors into the legacy of Palm Court.  Sponsors will receive a special certificate with the code of their designated pane of glass, as well as its latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates. A personal message may be added to appear on the pane’s certificate and in public recognition. An on-site kiosk at Phipps will allow guests to locate the pane of glass they sponsored and view their message on an interactive map. 

Located at the heart of the conservatory, Palm Court has a treasured history and significance. It is the signature architectural gem that guests first experience at Phipps and are inspired by breathtaking plants, floral displays, special exhibits and collections. The Palm Court renovation includes a replacement of the old wooden ribs, pane-by-pane replacement of the room’s glass and a dramatic recreation of the conservatory’s crowning ogee crest, a distinctive reverse curve, which has been missing since a catastrophic storm in 1937. 

Phipps invites the public to play a part in preserving the glasshouse’s historic legacy by sponsoring a pane of glass today at phipps.conservatory.org/restore.

The conservatory remains open throughout this restoration process, which is expected to be complete by the opening of Phipps’ signature Fall Flower Show on Sat., Oct. 13. Guests can experience history in the making by visiting Phipps every day from 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. or until 10 p.m. on Fridays. Admission is $17.95 for adults, $16.95 for seniors and students and $11.95 for children (2 – 18). Members and kids under 2 enter free.

###

About Phipps: Founded in 1893, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, PA is a green leader among public gardens with a mission to inspire and educate all with the beauty and importance of plants; to advance sustainability and promote human and environmental well-being through action and research; and to celebrate its historic glasshouse. Phipps commemorates its 125th anniversary throughout 2018, celebrating its historic past, vibrant present and exciting future ahead — including inspiring seasonal flower shows, community events, public programs and groundbreaking green innovation. Learn more at phipps.conservatory.org.