Garfield Park Conservatory-Hail Damage

 Garfield Park Conservatory - Fern Room 

The tragedy of the damage done to the Garfield Park Conservatory was not widely covered. This is such a sad occasion. I love this place. Please see below for more information. This is a letter I copied from its web-site from the Conservatory's president.

From: Eunita Rushing, President (July 1, 2011)

Dear Friends of the Conservatory,

I never thought I would ever write a letter like this one, but today is not a normal day. You may have already heard by now that the Conservatory sustained catastrophic damage from last night’s hailstorm, shattering nearly all the ceiling panes in 3 public houses – the historic Fern Room, Show and Desert Houses and all 9 of the production greenhouses in the back area where horticulturists keep and grow the Conservatory’s extra plants. 

This is a major catastrophe. The pathways, ponds, and plants in the Fern, Show and Desert rooms are covered with broken shards of glass. Until the ceiling is repaired, rain will cause the ponds to overflow, and direct sunlight will destroy and kill at least half of the plants that have been so carefully and lovingly conserved for so many years – hundreds of years for some, in the Fern Room, including the famous male and female cycads at the room’s entrance.In order for us to save the Conservatory, its thousands of treasured plants, and, of course, make it accessible for visitors again, the Conservatory’s crew will need to sweep all the glass, pull off broken pieces dangling dangerously from the ceiling, and sweep again and again until the pathways are safe.

Most difficult of all, horticulturists will need to inspect every plant and remove every piece of glass – by hand – buried in the plants. Finally, each broken pane of glass will need to be replaced. I have been told that it will cost millions of dollars just to replace the glass, and this does not even include infrastructure repairs that are needed as well. There is much at stake here, not just for me or my staff, but for the city of Chicago. The Conservatory is a historical landmark and a place where you have come to rest, learn, enjoy, love, and find peace. We need funds to rebuild the damaged ceilings with strong, modern glass such as those used in the recent renovations of the Palm House, the Sugar from the Sun exhibit, Aroid House and Children’s Garden. These rooms survived the storm! Words cannot convey how devastated I am to see the Conservatory as it is right now. When you spend so much time nurturing, building, and caring for a beautiful and special place like the Conservatory, it is truly shocking to see it broken like this. We need your help like never before.

We ask that you give what you can to preserve this wonderful institution. Any amount you give will help us tremendously. Please go online to our website (www.garfieldconservatory.org) and make a donation now.