Institute of Museum and Library Services announced Chicago’s Garfield Park Conservatory as one of 10 recipients of the 2012 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The nation’s highest honor conferred on museums and libraries for service to the community, the National Medal celebrates institutions that make a difference for individuals, families, and communities. The National Medal was presented at a celebration in Washington, D.C. on November 14, 2012. MORE

Upcoming Workshops, Classes & Events 

Beer Under Glass

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Celebrate the return of spring with the return of Beer Under Glass! This year’s Beer Under Glass will again be brought to you in partnership with the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild. Enjoy the Conservatory at night as you sip inventive brews from some of Chicagoland’s hottest craft breweries in your souvenir glass. Popular local restaurants will serve up tasty small plates, and other surprises will round out the evening. MORE

Fleurotica2013
June 12, 2013

Save the date for Fleurotica2013! We hope you will join us on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 for a night of flowers, fashion, and fabulousness. For more information about the event, please visit fleurotica.org. To buy tickets online Click Here.

Summer Solstice Backyard Square Dance Celebration Friday, June 21, 2013

Come celebrate the first day of summer by dancing together in Chicago’s big backyard! Come square dance, contra, polka, and waltz the night away to the locally-sourced-organic-bourbon fueled spectacle of Golden Horse Ranch Band. Square dance caller Annie Coleman will walk and talk participants through group circle dances, square dances, and Virginia reels. By the end of the night, we will all be wearing our summer smiles ... MORE

Public Practice at Garfield Park Conservatory Wednesday, June 26, July 24, August 21, 2013

Join us in shared public delight at the Garfield Park Conservatory on 3 Wednesday evenings this summer, where we invite the public to get better at something together! Bring your violin, your harmonica, your ukulele, or whatever instrument it is you play and practice it anywhere in the Conservatory or on the Conservatory grounds. Take a break and join your family for a picnic, explore the urban nature around you, and watch others get better ... MORE

Conservatory Fire Jam
Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Visit the Garfield Park Conservatory on this evening, and enjoy family friendly fire arts, performances, and the percussive beats of local musicians. This fire jam unites performing artists and spectators through a love and appreciation of fire art. It is held in partnership with Pyrotechniq and Chicago’s Full Moon Jam Community. Encompassing myriad performance styles and tools, fire dancers from the greater Chicago area and Great Lakes share their creative gifts in the big beautiful backyard of the Garfield Park Conservatory ... MORE

Garfield Park Seasonal Foraging Series (Saturdays)
April 27, August 3, October 5 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Nance Klehm leads this seasonal series, by showcasing the foraging abundance of medians, boulevards, and tracts of land that are often hidden in our cultural blind spot. Learn that St. John’s Wort (pictured) is found in ditches and atop hills. Part radical urban historian and seasoned horticulturist, Nance Klehm leads this series on open air foraging and the importance of knowing where you are by the plants around you. MORE

Double Coconut Palm

In 2012, we were sad to announce the death of our Double Coconut Palm (Lodoicea maldivica), the star attraction in the Palm House for 45 years. The Double Coconut Palm, which grows only on the Seychelles Islands, has become protected and removal of the seed from the islands is now prohibited. We are very proud to announce that in working with the Seychelles Islands Foundation, we were able to procure a new Double Coconut Palm seed that has been planted in the Palm House! The Double Coconut Palm seed is the largest in the world - our new seed topped the scales at over 20 pounds!

Items Made from Conservatory Broken Glass
For Sale in Gift Shop

The broken glass collected in the Conservatory after the 2011 hail storm is being put to good use. Local artists have created works of art with the glass, keeping the original whitewash coating intact, which are now on sale in the Gift Shop at the Conservatory. Glass bowls made by artist Bryan Northup are available for $100 to $250. All proceeds from these pieces will help the rebuilding efforts. Visit our Gift Shop and take home a piece of Conservatory history!

Conservatory Guided Tours

Guided tours are now offered at the Garfield Park Conservatory! Tour the Conservatory with a knowledgeable, trained guide who will share plant information, historical facts and insight into our unique plant collection. Free introductory tours are given every Sunday at 2pm. MORE

Teachers Enhance Your School Field Trip

Teachers are invited to lead their groups through the collection of the Conservatory at no cost. Or they may enhance their existing curricula by reserving an Exploration Kit to use within the unique and exotic plant collection that is found at one of the world’s largest conservatories! MORE

Volunteer at the Garfield Park Conservatory!

Enjoy the beautiful, lush surroundings of the Garfield Park Conservatory while sharing your time and skills as a volunteer. Opportunities abound! The Conservatory is undergoing a revitalization of its buildings and programs. We are looking for motivated and committed volunteers of all ages to lend a hand and share their skills. Join our team today! MORE