Age of Azaleas Spring Flower Show

Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily; Thursdays till 8 pm
Where: Show House, Horticulture Hall
Cost: Free

The 2008 Centennial Flower Shows include a number of historical plants and themes that reflect a century of American culture and horticulture, and pay tribute to the Conservatory's long, illustrious past. The first half of the Spring Show features azaleas, some descended from those in the Columbian Exposition of 1893. The second half highlights hydrangeas. More than 5,000 bulbs, including tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, will be in bloom in the Show House.
 
The tradition of using the Show House as a changing landscape throughout the year is as old as the Conservatory itself. With a nod to the past, the 2008 Centennial Flower Shows will include a number of historical plants and themes that reflect a century of American culture and horticulture. Each unique show will pay tribute to the Conservatory’s long, illustrious past and will include plants from the time-honored All-American Selection list of hybrids.
 
Summer 2008 Flower Power    
June 7 - September 28, 2008
Our summer tropical show will feature showy flowering plants in addition to those selected for color full foliage. The theme “Flower Power” will be enriched by a soundtrack of hit 60’s and 70’s songs that reference plants and flowers.
 
Autumn 2008 Mum’s the Word     
October 11 - November 9, 2008
The autumn season will feature a re-creation of the indoor Chrysanthemum Show that was so popular at the
Conservatory in the 1920’s. In addition to the indoor display, the outdoor City Garden will feature hardy mums,
ornamental kales, and other fall botanicals.
 
Winter 2008 Holiday Traditions    
November 28, 2008 - January 11, 2009
The culminating centennial show will use traditional poinsettias (mainly reds) that were popular at the turn of the Century, flowering plant material in reds, oranges, and whites. Holiday decorations reflecting diverse traditions.

Museum of Botany: Plants Have Ancestors

Saturday, Feb. 2 through Sunday, May 11

As a tribute to the Conservatory's historic role as the Museum of Botany (a name bestowed by the City of Chicago in 1931), a section of the Show House becomes a botanical museum. This living time capsule not only displays important plants of past decades, but addresses botanical concepts that bring to the forefront the role a conservatory plays in the enduring connection between people and plants.

Family Fun Centennial Activities

February through June 1

Did you know that Chicago’s botanical gem under glass, the Garfield Park Conservatory, has been home to rare tropical plants for almost 100 years? (The  Conservatory opened to the public in April of 1908.). During the Centennial Celebration the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance is offering a number of exciting programming events that will enhance the family-oriented visitor’s experience of both history and horticulture.  

Family Make-and-Take Activity: Centennial Celebrations

Saturdays and Sundays, 1 pm - 3 pm
Visit the Elizabeth Morse Genius Children's Garden to make and take home an activity celebrating plants of the past, present and future.  [MORE]

Family Exploration Station: Past, Present and Future of Plants Saturdays and Sundays, 11 am - 4 pm
Stop by the dig-pit and the sensory cart in the Children's Garden for hands-on, multi-sensory activities that peak curiosity about horticulture and the history of plants.  [MORE]

Mobile Exploration Station: Conservatory Birthday Booth
Thursdays 5 pm - 7:30 pm Saturday & Sundays 11 am - 4 pm
Help blow out birthday candles for the Conservatory at this historically-themed discovery cart. Decorate a special conservatory cake for the 100th birthday . [MORE]

Hunting for History Scavenger Hunt
Daily 9 am to 5 pm, until 8 pm on Thursdays
Pick up a scavenger hunt sheet at the front desk and travel back in time. During the self-guided hunt, discover exciting historical secrets, meet centennial celebrities.  [MORE]

Conserve-A-Story Exhibit: A Collaborative Exhibition Celebrating A Neighborhood's Unwritten History

April 10 through June

Opening April 10th in the Community Room as part of Garfield Park Conservatory’s Centennial Celebration, “Conserve-A-Story” will unveil some of the untold stories of the surrounding area through the eyes of those who have lived here. This exhibition is a collaborative community project, in which residents showcase neighborhood history through a collection of narratives and portraits. Stories are told using autobiographical objects, audio interviews, photographs, and recipes. As part of the April through June exhibition, a number of companion events, such as garden walks, crafts, music, plays, and children’s activities, will take place during the scheduled public viewing times.

This exhibition is aimed to present, educate, and celebrate the history of the residents near the Conservatory, and is an ongoing project. If you are interested in participating and adding your own history, a story donation booth, plus an audio-recording “story booth” will be available on site. You can also download a Conserve-A-Story Donation Form, or contact Conserve-A-Story facilitating artist, Rachel Moore, at 773-252-5618 or email rmoore@saic.edu.

Click here to view additional information on the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance's Centennial website for CHICAOASIS: The Greenest Show on Earth.

Spring Tree ID Walk

Friday, May 16th

Hours: 10 am – Noon

Where: Meet in the Conservatory Lobby

Cost: Free

Learn how to identify city trees through the seasons with Treekeeper Jim DeHorn of Openlands Project. We will explore the trees of the beautiful and historic Garfield Park. Dress appropriately for weather. These walks take place rain or shine!

Origami Open House
Presented by the Chicago Area Origami Society
Second Saturday of Each Month (throughout the year)

Hours: Drop in anytime between 1 pm - 4 pm

Where: Classroom of the Conservatory
Cost: Free

Origami is a fascinating, fun-filled creative activity for children as well as adults. With a minimum of folds and creases, you can transform a flat sheet of paper into a three-dimensional form like a swan, a boat, a flower or even a hat. So, if you're interested in creating animals, dinosaurs, flowers, decorative boxes and various other models, please join us.

Every second Saturday of the month in the Conservatory’s Classroom, the Chicago Area Origami Society presents a free drop-in Origami Open House to our visitors. Please drop by — both kids and adults are welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Experienced folders welcome as well. Also, though there will be a limited supply of paper available, you are encouraged to bring your own. The workshop is FREE and OPEN to the public.

Morning Glories for Families

Mondays (throughout the year)

Hours: Drop in between 10 am - Noon

Where: Elizabeth Morse Genius Children’s Garden

Cost: $1 suggested donation per family

Enjoy learning together with your preschooler in this weekly drop-in activity and story time. This season’s projects include planting popcorn, bug terrariums, seed hunts, digging for worms, and much more! Each plant-related project takes 20-25 minutes, the last group is taken at 11:45 pm. [MORE]

Morning Glories for Schools

Hours: 10 am - Noon (Registration Required)
Where: Discovery Area of the Children’s Garden
Cost: Free

If you are interested in bringing a larger group or an entire class for Morning Glories story-time project, we have a new feature just for you! Morning Glories for Schools allows larger groups of preschoolers to enjoy a project together. Please contact Yadira Correa at 773-638-1766 x25 to learn more and to schedule a Thursday morning visit - registration is required.  [MORE]
 

Weekend Plant Information Clinic

Saturdays and Sundays (throughout the year)

Hours: Drop in between 11 am - 4 pm

Where: Conservatory Front Lobby

Cost: Free

University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners are available in the Conservatory's front lobby to look at your plants or just answer questions Saturdays and Sundays, 11 am - 4 pm. Drop by with your plant or questions. Or you can call in your questions to (773) 265-9587, fax them to (773) 265-9588, or email questions to wolfordr@mail.aces.uiuc.edu.  [MORE]