Garfield Park Conservatory

Indoor gardeners are sure to find something familiar here; many aroids are popular houseplants. A variety of aroids growing in a landscape setting are on display. A spectacular feature is the "Persian Pool", sixteen yellow lily pads surrounding a serene lagoon, which was created by the world acclaimed glass artist Chihuly expressly for the Aroid House.

The Aroid House will close to the public on Monday, March 3, 2014 and will remain closed until construction is completed. Construction is slated to be completed in late fall, but because this is a very complex construction project, this may change. These renovations are following the June 30, 2011 hailstorm that caused unprecedented damage to the Conservatory. Learn more about the Conservatory restoration project on our Back to Glass page.

The Aroid House is Closed for Repairs.

In the early 1900's, the room that is now called the Aroid House, was called the Conifer House because of the collection of sub-tropical evergreens it housed. Since evergreens require fairly chilly temperatures, this room also became known as the "Cold Room.” In 1923, after years of struggling to maintain the cool climate of this space, it was converted to the Aroid House and became home to a living collection of "houseplants gone wild.” (Aroid refers to a specific flower structure that is common to many houseplants.)

The room formerly known as the Cold Room ironically became just that in the winter of 1994, when a brutal freeze devastated the plants of this room and threatened to shut down the entire Conservatory. The Park District convened a task force with representatives from community, educational and environmental organizations. Over the next few years, the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance was born and the revitalization of the Conservatory began as a partnership between the Chicago Park District and the newly formed non-profit Alliance. This partnership- a government agency paired with a private non-profit organization was one of the first of its kind. Today, these two entities remain strong collaborators in the stewardship and growth of historic Garfield Park Conservatory.

Persian Pool

In 2001 artist Dale Chihuly transformed the Conservatory into a "garden of glass” with his colorful glass sculptures. The exhibition of Chihuly’s work reintroduced this hidden gem of a conservatory to the public and proved to be another important renaissance for Garfield Park. The "Persian Lily Pads” crafted by Chihuly were purchased by the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance and are now on display in the Aroid House pond.