Contact: Colleen Roche or Nydia Negron 212 788 2958
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today presented a proclamation celebrating "Botanical Garden Day"" in New York City during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the grand opening of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory at the New York Botanical Garden. The Mayor also presented Ms. Haupt with a Citation for her dedication and generous contribution to the restoration of this New York City landmark which was renamed in her honor in 1986.
"On behalf of all New Yorkers, I'd like to thank Enid Annenberg Haupt for her generous spirit and concern for the restoration of the conservatory that is the centerpiece of the New York Botanical Garden," Mayor Giuliani said. "Besides being a beautiful landmark in our City, the Botanical Garden also plays a critical role in the continued economic growth of New York City. The garden and the conservatory will surely attract thousands of people from the greater metropolitan area, as well as American and foreign visitors to New York City."
The Conservatory is reopening after a four-year, $25-million restoration. Designed by Lord and Burnham and constructed in 1899, this beautiful conservatory is the pre-eminent Victorian-era glass structure in North America. It was designated a New York City landmark in 1973 and has been continuously renovated and restored. In 1973, the Conservatory was named for Enid Annenberg Haupt, who saved the soaring crystal palace from destruction.
The New York Botanical Garden was founded in 1891 by botanists Nathaniel Lord Britton and his wife Elizabeth, who were inspired by the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. Today, the Garden consists of 250 acres with 16 specialty gardens and a wonderful look at New York City as early inhabitants saw it--with dramatic rock formations, wetlands, ponds, a cascading waterfall and 40 acres of the uncut forest that was replaced in other parts of the City by buildings and streets.
The Conservatory is the site of the A World of Plants exhibition, featuring more than 3,000 plant specimens from around the world. A World of Plants will take visitors through areas of lush tropical rain forests and American and African deserts. The Conservatory and exhibition will be open to the public beginning Saturday, May 3rd.