Palm Court Restoration

To commemorate our 125th anniversary in 2018, we restored our signature Palm Court glasshouse to protect and sustain its beauty for generations to come. This renovations included a pane-by-pane replacement of the room’s glass and a dramatic recreation of the conservatory’s crowing ogee crest. We invite you to be a part of this Pittsburgh legacy by sponsoring a glass pane today. Give as a touching gift, make a dedication for your family, or pay special tribute to a loved one, becoming a permanent part of Phipps that will fill each visit with special memories.

125th Anniversary Gifts

Celebrate 125 years of glasshouse splendor by adding a touch of Phipps to your home décor! Limited-edition mugs, magnets, ornaments, puzzles, coasters and more are now available in our shop.

1. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens was a gift. Philanthropist Henry Phipps gifted the Conservatory to Pittsburgh and, after a little over a year of construction, it opened to the public on Dec. 7, 1893. The building, originally consisting of only nine rooms, cost $100,000 and was designed by greenhouse manufacturer Lord & Burnham. Many of the original plants showcased at its opening came to Phipps from the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

2. Flowers used to be displayed very simply. Unlike the immersive, unique shows guests enjoy today at Phipps, early exhibitions consisted largely of flowers presented in pots on waist-high benches. It wasn’t until 1935 that the new head horticulturalist, Ralph Griswold, implemented more comprehensive garden designs that continue to inspire Phipps’ shows today.

3. Phipps’ collection of orchids is world renowned. Phipps’ Barbara Tisherman Slipper Orchid Collection is curated in collaboration with the Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania and is one of the most definitive of its kind. The collection is accredited by the Plant Collections Network, offered by the American Public Gardens Association and the USDA Agricultural Research Service. This acclaimed orchid collection displayed in the Orchid Room, with additional vibrant displays through the Conservatory during Phipps’ Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show now through Feb. 25, remain guest favorites.

4. Art exhibitions are a part of Phipps’ 125-year history. From the white marble kneeling Venus statue added by Henry Phipps in 1893 to the nature-inspired biophilic art showcased in the Center for Sustainable Landscapes, Phipps has developed an esteemed collection of exclusive artwork to further enhance the guest experience. Artwork on display now includes iconic glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly, Hans Godo Fräbel and Jason Gamrath.

5. Phipps is a green building hotspot. Five years ago, Phipps opened the Center for Sustainable Landscapes (CSL), a net-zero energy and water building that remains the first and only building to meet four of the highest green certifications: The Living Building Challenge™, LEED® Platinum, Four Stars Sustainable SITES™ and WELL Platinum Certification™. In addition to the CSL, many additional buildings hold prestigious certifications at Phipps: The Welcome Center is the first LEED certified visitor center in a public garden, the Production Greenhouse is the first and only greenhouse in the world to achieve LEED certification (LEED Platinum EBOM), the Tropical Forest Conservatory is one of the most energy-efficient in the world and the Living Building Petal-certified Nature Lab at Phipps is one of the nation’s first sustainable, modular classrooms. Construction is underway to transform a former public works building on a brownfield into a high-performance, sustainable Exhibit Staging Center designed to give visitors behind-the-scenes access as staff members develop props and materials for use in Phipps’ flower shows and exhibits, continuing its expansion as a forward-thinking green leader.