Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, Detroit

The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, also known locally as the Belle Isle Conservatory, is a historic greenhouse and botanical garden located on Belle Isle, a 982-acre island park in the Detroit River, within the city of Detroit. Despite its proximity to the Canada–United States border, Belle Isle is entirely within the United States. The conservatory occupies 13 acres of preserved land within the park, offering a serene escape filled with botanical wonders.

Opened on August 18, 1904, the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory holds the distinction of being the oldest continually operating conservatory in the United States. Designed by the renowned architectural firm of George D. Mason and Albert Kahn, the conservatory reflects inspiration from iconic 19th-century structures like The Crystal Palace and the Palm House at Kew Gardens. Its architectural centerpiece is the 85-foot-high central dome, which houses towering palm trees and other tropical species.

The conservatory features five sections: the Palm House (domed center), Tropical House (South Wing), Cactus House and Fernery (North Wing), and Show House (East Wing). Highlights include a lily pond to the north and perennial gardens to the west, featuring the Levi L. Barbour Memorial Fountain by Marshall Fredericks.

In 1955, the conservatory was renamed to honor Anna Scripps Whitcomb, who donated her collection of 600 orchids to the city. These orchids, some of which had been rescued from Britain during World War II, made the conservatory home to the largest municipally owned orchid collection in the United States. This gift cemented the conservatory’s reputation as a botanical treasure.

In the mid-1920s, the Belle Isle Conservatory attracted around 1.5 million visitors annually. Despite a 1953 renovation replacing its wooden dome frame with iron and aluminum, it retains its historic charm and remains a cherished symbol of Detroit’s dedication to natural beauty and heritage.