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Restoration of a 130-year-old historical building can be a daunting task, but the crew working in the John F. Wolfe Palm House and Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse have the knowledge and expertise for the challenge.  

In the last construction update, there was mention of restoring the iron arches in the Palm House and Showhouse. Here’s a little more on this process.  

The existing wrought iron arches throughout the Palm House and Showhouse are undergoing structural rehabilitation by inspecting, cleaning, repairing, coating, and if necessary, replacing corroded elements. 

The process includes removing existing paint through paint stripping and removing corrosion through abrasive blasting to expose the bare metal for inspection, installing reinforcement plates where required, and then priming and repainting the structural iron to provide long term protection. 

Although this process can appear tedious and time consuming, it’s well worth the effort and care given to restore this architectural jewel for future generations.  

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As demolition work continues in the John F. Wolfe Palm House & the Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse, it becomes easier to illustrate why this restoration is crucial. Once stone is removed from sections to reveal the steel structure, rust can be seen and work will be done to strengthen the steel. Details on this process will be featured in a future update.  

In the Palm House, the floor is being lowered by 18 inches to accommodate a new pedestrian bridge that will allow guests to explore the new canopy of the trees. In addition, the bridge will also improve the guest experience, allowing visitors to move east to west without the use of stairs or an elevator. 

Work is also underway in the Showhouse. The tile flooring and much of the old piping have been removed, and the slope of the ramp into the Showhouse from the Atrium will be improved to accommodate our guests with mobility challenges.  

 

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COLUMBUS, OH – Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens will host the 2026 WE DIG Ohio Symposium on Saturday, March 7, 2026, beginning at 8am. This dynamic morning gathering will bring together community gardeners, youth leaders, educators, nonprofit partners, and sustainability advocates to explore the power of collective growth in agriculture and land stewardship.

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COLUMBUS, OH – Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is proud to announce that longtime leader and philanthropist Carla L. Cefaratti will be honored with the Ann Isaly Wolfe Award at Hat Day 2026, marking the 25th anniversary of the Conservatory’s signature spring celebration.

A member of the Conservatory since 2003, Carla’s dedication spans more than two decades of volunteer leadership, visionary philanthropy and impactful service.

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The John F. Wolfe Palm House and connecting Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse are the oldest portions of Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Built in 1895 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974, they are one of only six remaining Victorian-era glass houses in the U.S.  

At 130 years old, the renovation of these areas is crucial and addresses structural issues in both buildings. Construction in these areas and the surrounding Wolfe Terrace will improve ADA accessibility, link the visitor experience of the interior Palm House from east to west via bridge, and dramatically improve ventilation making temperatures tolerable for plants and guests.  

Addressing the structural integrity of the Palm House and Showhouse has always been a priority in the Conservatory’s North Star Master Plan which includes 15 transformational capital projects. These areas are the “roots” of the Conservatory and Franklin Park, and we want to ensure this historic icon of Columbus continues to welcome visitors for generations to come.     

The full renovation of the John F. Wolfe Palm House, Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse, and Wolfe Terrace was made possible by a landmark philanthropic gift from the Wolfe family.  

For more than a century, the Wolfe family has shaped Columbus through journalism, civic leadership, and philanthropy. As longtime publishers of The Columbus Dispatch, they coupled their role in the city’s public life with an exemplary commitment to giving. Their leadership and generosity have strengthened not only the Conservatory but also the Columbus Zoo, and other cultural institutions, helping shape the city’s identity as a community engagement hub. The Wolfe family’s commitment to the Conservatory spans nearly nine decades. 

 

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Welcome back to the Conservatory’s construction updates. Many of our members, visitors and followers are curious about where the plants from the John F. Wolfe Palm House and Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse are and how a few of the specimens will remain in place throughout construction. Many of these plants were relocated to the Conservatory’s Greenhouse, but three specimens will remain in the Palm House.  

The most notable specimen remaining in place and thought of as the heart of the Palm House, is the Fiddle-Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata). Preparation for the fig for construction began two years ago. Our partner, Ahlum & Arbor Tree Preservation, pruned the fig twice a year to promote lush interior growth, and the horticulture team at the Conservatory has provided expert care including watering, fertilizing and horticultural oil sprays to assist with pest eradication. 

The fig’s roots were air spaded, a technique that uses air to remove soil from around the roots. This is a noninvasive way to explore root growth and what direction they are growing so clean cuts to roots can occur as opposed to being ripped out by construction. 

The other two specimens remaining in place are the Traveller’s Palm (Ravenala madagascariensis) and the Belmore Sentry Palm (Howea belmoreana). The Belmore Sentry Palm has a protective blanket around its trunk and is tied to the wall for stabilization. This will keep it from leaning when construction begins, removing the wall and floor around it.  

The temperature is extremely important for all three of these specimens during construction, especially in these cold months. Staff maintain temperature checks around the clock to ensure it stays in the low to mid 70’s. As a precaution, supplemental heaters have been brought in if temperatures drop below the low 60’s.  

And finally, all three specimens get weekly watering and weekly “baths” to keep the construction debris and dust off their leaves.

 

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Opening on February 14, 2026, Kids’ Corner is a playful, interactive space for children ages 2–8 to explore nature themes through movement, imagination, and free play. 

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On January 5, 2026, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens staff came together to deinstall Conservatory Aglow and prepare for the construction on the John F. Wolfe Palm House and Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse.

The task of clearing out the Palm House and Showhouse, in addition to removing and storing a large portion of Conservatory Aglow, was completed in five days. During this time, the Conservatory was closed to the public and, after viewing the photos above, it’s clear why that decision was made.

Once the majority of plants and palms were removed from these spaces, construction began. After three weeks of construction work, with a slight delay brought on by a snowstorm, here’s a look at what the Palm House and Showhouse looked like before we started and what they look like now.

If you are curious about where the plants and palms went and how a few that will remain during construction are protected, keep following the Conservatory’s social media channels, website and newsletter for future updates.

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COLUMBUS, OH – Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens will be closed to the public from Monday, January 5 through Friday, January 9. During this time, staff will be preparing for construction to begin on the full renovation of the John F. Wolfe Palm House, the Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse as well as the Wolfe Terrace.

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On Thursday, October 9, 2025, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens hosted the 2025 Growing to Green Harvest Awards Celebration, an inspiring evening that brought together gardeners, volunteers, and community partners from across Central Ohio to honor 25 years of the Growing to Green program.

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Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens announced a landmark philanthropic gift from the Wolfe family that will restore and enhance the historic architectural icon intended to delight visitors.

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Please join us in congratulating Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens President & CEO, Bruce Harkey, on his service as President of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA)!

These photos capture Bruce being recognized at the APGA annual conference, where he officially transitioned to Past President and welcomed a new leader into the role. We’re proud to celebrate his national leadership and grateful for the continued vision and guidance he brings to Franklin Park Conservatory.

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After 24 months of community research and visioning with architecture and design experts, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens has announced a bold vision for becoming a premier botanical garden destination in the next 25 years. The North Star Master Plan includes more than 15 transformational capital projects.

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Two of Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens’ popular holiday exhibitions—Holiday Blooms and Conservatory Aglow—kick off on November 18, 2023, and run through January 7, 2024. During this timeframe, the Conservatory will be open 10am-4pm and reopen at 5pm daily except for closures on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Please note: Conservatory Aglow will be closed on December 7th for an adults-only Cocktails at the Conservatory event; No one under the age of 21 will be permitted entry after 5pm on December 7th.

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On Thursday, October 5, 2023, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens hosted the annual Growing to Green Harvest Awards Ceremony. The harvest awards are a tribute to individuals, organizations and communities who participate in community gardening and city beautification projects in Central Ohio. The Growing to Green Harvest Awards honors the dedication and hard work of many Central Ohio communities and individuals while furthering Growing to Green’s objective of promoting participation in city beautification and community gardening.

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 Fall is full of beauty, and nothing captures the spirit of the season quite like Harvest Blooms at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. This horticultural exhibition is on display daily from September 23 through October 29, 2023. Harvest Blooms sees the botanical gardens and container gardens filled with rich horticultural displays composed of thousands of pumpkins, gourds, mums and cabbages. In addition to these displays, visitors will discover that both pumpkin houses have returned and are joined by a larger-than-life cornucopia and a magnificent pumpkin tree.

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Beginning June 24, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens will feature the works of local photographer, Steve Harrison. Franklin the Peoples Park focuses on the activity in Franklin Park from everyday occurrences to historical moments over the last 50 years. Harrison began photographing the park in the 1960s when it was a gathering place for young black people. He also captured historical moments in the park from the 1960s to present-day, including Ameriflora and Dick Gregory’s Food Run. The exhibition will display approximately 50 of his photographs taken in Franklin Park, including large panoramic pieces.

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On Saturday, June 24, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens will bring the public together with local groups for a free festival celebrating all things pollinators. Happening 11am-3pm in the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Garden Campus, Pollinator Palooza, made possible by major sponsor Giant Eagle, features educational activities, demonstrations, live music, food trucks and over thirty local organizations.

 

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This summer guests visiting Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens will be immersed in a world where animals, created from plants, come alive at Garden Safari, on display June 3, through September 10, 2023. This exhibition, primarily focused in the Conservatory’s courtyards, features thirty lifelike topiaries representing animals of the land, air and sea. These topiaries use live plants to mimic the colors and textures of feathers, fur, scales and skin.

 

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Paul Busse Garden Railway features four botanical themes—Fairytale Land, Wild West Town, European Travels and the animals of Who Lives Here—placed throughout 1,122 feet of track. Nine g-scale model trains will weave through the botanical landscapes, sometimes passing overhead! In the summer, colorful blooms will fill the gardens surrounding the railway. As fall arrives, pumpkins and gourds will be placed throughout the railway. Before the exhibition comes to a close, holiday decorations will be added during the winter months.

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