Botanical Conservatory

THE BEGINNING: The Botanical Conservatory began as an idea between two good friends who wanted Fort Wayne to have an indoor sanctuary to enjoy the wonders of nature. Helene Foellinger, publisher of the News-Sentinel, and Bill Sowers, a local attorney and trustee, often visited gardens around the world together and wanted to share the same beauty with the people of Fort Wayne.

The two friends joined forces and secured the resources to begin construction and make the dream a reality. With backing from the City of Fort Wayne, the Foellinger Foundation, the Freimann Trust, and Lincoln National Corporation, the Conservatory opened in 1983, providing a unique botanical oasis.

TODAY: The Conservatory offers four changing showcases each year, houses 24,500 square feet of indoor gardens with a vast plant collection, maintains four outdoor gardens, and serves thousands of schoolchildren, residents, tourists, and visitors from around the world. The Conservatory also serves as a plant rescue center for endangered species and as a regional clearinghouse for plant information. Programs and special events throughout the year allow the community to enjoy the facility while exploring the complex relationships between the plant world and mankind.

We welcome you to explore the wonders of nature at the Conservatory Gardens including four outdoor gardens that feature scenic vistas, plazas, shaded pathways, seasonal plantings, and Midwestern trees and shrubs.