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It’s spring in January inside the Conservatory

Oh, the weather outside is frightful. But the Palm House is so delightful. A balmy 72 degrees in fact. The Volunteer Park Conservatory underwent a $3 million capital improvement project last year, and winter is a perfect time to check it out.
Volunteer Park Conservatory Cactus House

Volunteer Park Conservatory Cactus House

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Oh, the weather outside is frightful. But the Palm House is so delightful. A balmy 72 degrees in fact.

The Volunteer Park Conservatory underwent a $3 million capital improvement project last year, and winter is a perfect time to check it out.

The renovation reinforced the iron structural framework in the Seasonal and Cactus houses of the century-old Victorian-inspired building. The improvements included expanding walkways and installing new exits to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADT) and adding event lighting.

new grow house

New 1,550-square-foot multi-purpose grow facility at the Conservatory

The project also replaced a 1920s-era production greenhouse with a modern 1,550-square-foot multi-purpose grow facility to increase production space, and provide an area for educational classes and workshops.

The completed renovations mean Seattleites have a beautifully remodeled respite from the January rains. Within the five glass houses, you can find orchids, cacti, palm trees, carnivorous plants, and most importantly, heat.

This week, the Conservatory’s Seasonal House will fill with the new spring collection. Take a stroll through the greenhouse blooms and forget about the naked trees outside.

The Conservatory offers docent-guided tours of the houses and its plant collections by reservation. Tours last from 30-60 minutes and are free (minimum two weeks’ notice required). Call 206-322-4112 for more information.