Background
The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory is located on Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan. It is currently the oldest continually running conservatory in the United States. The Conservatory began construction in 1902 and opened its doors in 1904. The city of Detroit commissioned architects Albert Kahn and George Mason to design the Conservatory, they also were the architects who designed the Belle Isle Aquarium directly next to the Conservatory. It can be classified as a European Modernist style and was originally constructed of glass and a wooden frame.
The City Beautiful Movement
The conservatory was a part of a much larger movement to beautify large industrial cities through parks. This was known as “ The City Beautiful Movement” which was developed during and after the Columbian Exposition in Chicago around 1893. This had a very large impact on urban planning around the United States and Detroit was no exception. The efforts to beautify Belle Isle through the Conservatory and other attractions was a success. During the mid 1920’s the conservatory averaged 1.5 million visitors a year.
Anna Scripps Whitcomb
Prior to 1955 the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory was known as the Horticulture Building or the Conservatory. In 1953 the Conservatory was gifted 600 rare orchids from Anna Scripps Whitcomb’s private collection. Many of these orchids were rescued from Britain during World War ll. Because of her donation, the City of Detroit became home to one of the largest municipally owned orchid collections in the United Stats. In honor of her donation, the Conservatory was renamed on April 6th, 1955 to The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory. Anna Scripps Whitcomb was known as an American Philanthropist. She was the daughter of the Detroit News Founder James E. Scripps. Anna was an active gardener and art collector. Her and her father were known as being very generous benefactors of the DIA. She participated in and had a large involvement in the Annual Detroit Flower Show and left her collection to the Conservatory after her passing in 1953.
Modern Day Involvement
There are many benefactors and volunteers today that help keep the conservatory running. Belle Isle Conservancy is a non profit organization dedicated to keeping Belle Isle beautiful and running. They are a result of four merging groups dedicated to supporting the park. This organization works closely with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the City of Detroit. The conservatory remains free to the public but accepts donations upon visits.
The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory is currently under a $10 Million renovation as of November 2022. The work encompasses the final phase of the plan to revitalize the upper 60 feet of the 80 foot tall glass dome. This is one of the nation's oldest turn of the century glass houses still in existence. These renovations are made possible through the federal relief funding from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Private donations raised by the Belle Isle Conservancy.
Sources:
Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory | Detroit Historical Society
