Como Conservatory North Garden
Como Park, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
December 19, 2004 - 03:00 UTC (09:00 CST)
© 2004 Grant Hermanson, All Rights Reserved.
It was -10°F(-23°C) outside the morning of December 19th, 2004 when the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park(formerly known as The Como Conservatory) held a special Photographer and Artist event, which allowed people to use tripods or easels without obtaining a special permit. It was about 70°(21°C) inside and water vapor condensing on the glass ceiling was turning to ice and falling off in chunks.
The Conservatory is operated by the city of St. Paul (the capital of the state of Minnesota) along with a zoo and amusement park, including a restored 1914 carousel. The Zoo is open all year and has no admission fee. The Conservatory, also open year round, has a small fee of $1 for adults and $.50 for children and seniors.
First opened in 1915, the Conservatory is the largest glass-domed garden in the region. The garden occupies approximately one-half acre under glass. In 1974 it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2002, the weekly newspaper, City Pages, recognized the conservatory as the 'best place for a first date!'.
The Conservatory is made up of the North Garden, the Palm Dome in the center(64ft/19.5m high and 100ft/30.5M in diameter), and the Sunken Garden on the South end. There is also the Japanese Garden, the Enchanted Garden and Frog Pond, and the Bonsai Gallery. The Orchid House and Fern Room are currently closed for construction, but will be opening soon.
The Sunken Garden features five seasonal flower shows annually. Currently the 2004 Holiday Flower Show features Poinsettia cultivars Chianti, Merlot, and Cortez Burgundy in deep reds and maroons. Panoramas of the Sunken Garden are available on my bp.aroundphoto.com site.
Other panoramas |
Como Zoo and the |
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