Published Wednesday, October 29, 2025
For more than a century, the Wolfe family has helped shape Columbus through journalism, philanthropy, and civic leadership. As longtime publishers of The Columbus Dispatch, they didn’t just recount the city’s growth, they fueled it. Their enduring commitment to giving has strengthened some of Columbus’s most loved institutions, including Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.
The Wolfe family’s connection to the Conservatory spans several decades, beginning with Harry P. Wolfe’s creative “zookeeping” in the late 1920s, when he housed many of the animals for the soon-to-be Columbus Zoo at the Conservatory. Over the years, the family’s support has blossomed into transformative leadership, including helping create the beloved Hat Day fundraising event and pioneering the Conservatory’s acquisition of the Dale Chihuly glass art collection. In 2008, the Conservatory named its iconic Palm House in honor of John F. Wolfe, recognizing his support and leadership in previous restoration efforts at the Conservatory.
Now, the Wolfe family begins a new phase in their legacy at the Conservatory with a landmark philanthropic gift of $35 million. This gift is the largest in the Conservatory’s history and one of the most significant ever given to an arts and culture organization in Columbus. The Wolfe’s outstanding commitment will fund a full restoration of the John F. Wolfe Palm House, the Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse and the Wolfe Terrace.
“The Wolfe family’s enduring friendship and support is a gift to Columbus,” said Bruce Harkey, president and CEO of the Conservatory. “Their generosity will nurture the development of an expansive urban oasis here. By investing in the Conservatory, the Wolfe family is driving a great civic endeavor—one that benefits current residents, embraces newcomers, and welcomes visitors from all walks of life.”
(From left: Bruce Harkey, Ann Isaly Wolfe, Katie Wolfe Lloyd, Carmen K. Boy)
As we prepare for this exciting new chapter, please join us in extending gratitude to the Wolfe family for their outstanding generosity and steadfast support.