Directory/Parks & Nature/Lamberton Conservatory/Edit history
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Version 1— Imported from RockWiki archive — April 9, 2026
Snapshot details
- Name
- Lamberton Conservatory
- URL slug
- lamberton-conservatory
- Category
- park
- Description
- Tropical Dome, December 2009. Photo by CntyParks Located in Highland Park, the Lamberton Conservatory displays exotic flowers and foliage plants from around the world in lush tropical settings. Originally constructed in 1911, the Lamberton Conservatory was named in honor of Alexander B. Lamberton who was the President of the Parks Board from 1902 to 1915. Original funding from the relatives of Lamberton provided for the building costs and allowed for continuous specialized exhibits of diverse plant species. Already a nationally renowned arboretum designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Highland Park’s horticultural status was certainly heightened by its construction. The conservatory also contains numerous turtles and quail throughout the display areas. Special events and exhibitions of far off floral wonders continued to delight generations of Rochesterians. The structure would expand over time and its interiors would become known as a tranquil destination or even a tropical respite to Rochester’s chilly winters. Among the popular attractions at the Conservatory are seasonal floral displays. Exhibits are changed five times throughout the year; the spring flower display is always a highlight for visitors to the Lilac Festival. The Parks Department rents the conservatory for wedding ceremonies and other events before and after normal public viewing hours on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for $100/hour (see Monroe County Reservations). Renovation By 2006, deterioration to the original building could not be repaired cost effectively; like most historic structures of that period, time had just gotten the better of it. More than 80% of the original steel and glass were still in the structure and high temperatures and humidity, required for the tropical displays, had taken quite a toll on them. In 2007, the Parks Department sought one million dollars for a complete tear down and historic reconstruction, maintaining every possible detail of the original design. Workers dis-assembled the original Conservatory right down to its foundation and reconstructed it with modern materials, as an exact replica of the historic structure. The previous steel framework became a pattern for the new galvanized steel framing system. The project included salvage, refurbishing, and reuse of the original interior cypress gutter system, the operable ridge-vent, the exterior cast iron gutter system, and the memorial to Alexander B. Lamberton mounted over the front doors. As a result, the newly restored section of the Conservatory has approximately 1,800 square feet of floor area and boasts nearly 1,000 brand new panes of glass specially formed for the structure. Photos See Talk Page for discussions about the content of the page.
- Status
- Active listing
- As of snapshot
- 4/9/2026, 10:01:28 AM