Centennial Conservatory

Thunder Bay Centennial Botanical Conservatory
Type	Conservatory
Location	Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Coordinates	48°23′27″N 89°15′37″W / 48.3909°N 89.2604°WCoordinates: 48°23′27″N 89°15′37″W / 48.3909°N 89.2604°W
Created	1965
Operated by	City of Thunder Bay

The Centennial Conservatory in Thunder Bay, Ontario is located in the city's south end. It was built in 1965^[1] and opened to the public in 1967 as a Centennial Project to commemorate the Canadian Centennial. The conservatory houses various varieties of tropical plants, flowers, trees and shrubs in its main greenhouse, a cactus room, and a room with seasonal displays. The facility includes paths and benches and a wishing well and is open to the public, year round free of charge.^[2]

History

The Centennial Conservatory (also known as the Centennial Botanical Conservatory or the Thunder Bay Conservatory) is a commemorative Centennial Project donated to the citizens of Fort William as their legacy. Construction started in 1965^[3] and was for the most part completed in 1966 leaving one year for seeding and growing. It was finally opened to the public on November 10, 1967. On November 18, 1967, the official opening ceremony was held.^[4]

In 1968, one year after the Centennial Conservatory opened to the public, a large banana plant was donated by the Canadian Daughters Assembly 34.^[5]

References

1. "Conservatory Will Start In Fall" The Fort William Times Journal. Wednesday, July 21, 1965
2. "Living And Recreation: Botanical Conservatory." http://www.thunderbay.ca/Living/recreation_and_parks/Parks/Botanical_Conservatory.htm Accessed: March 2012
3. "Conservatory Will Start In Fall" The Fort William Times Journal. Wednesday, July 21, 1965
4. "Official Opening" (Advertisement)The Fort William Times Journal. Friday, November 17th, 1967
5. "Banana Tree New Edition" The Fort William Times Journal. 1968