The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory has been at its present
site since 1904. It was designed by Albert Kahn and occupies a
thirteen acre parcel of land shared by the formal perennial
gardens, rose garden and lily pond garden. It was reconstructed
during the years 1952 through 1954 and the wood beams were replaced
with aluminum. The Conservatory was dedicated to Mrs. Whitcomb who
left her 600 plant orchid collection to the City of Detroit when
she died in 1953.
The Conservatory covers more than one acre and features a dome
eighty-five feet high. It has a continuous display of blooming
plants during the six major flower seasons of the year. The
Conservatory provides an overall look at the world of
horticulture.
The Conservatory also has one of the largest municipally owned
orchid collections in the country.
