On this day in Alabama history: BBG opened glass conservatory
The conservatory at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens was the first structure completed at the site, in 1961. In 2011, the building underwent a major renovation and reopened to the public in 2014. (From Encyclopedia of Alabama, photo courtesy of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens)
December 18, 1962
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens (BBG) opened its glass conservatory to the public as BBG’s first main structure. Designed by glasshouse designer Henry E. Teuscher of the Montreal Botanical Gardens, the conservatory was constructed by local architect Charles McCauley. The conservatory underwent a $1.3 million renovation project in 2013 and currently features a three-house configuration that includes a Tropical House, an Arid House and a former Camellia House. Including the conservatory, the 67.5-acre BBG is home to more than 10,000 native and non-native plants in more than 25 separate themed gardens. The gardens are open daily with free admission and receive more than 350,000 visitors each year.
Read more at Encyclopedia of Alabama.
For more on Alabama’s Bicentennial, visit Alabama 200.
