Franklin Park Conservatory has opened its 15th annual “Holidays at the Conservatory” with a number of new attractions this year sure to delight visitors during the holiday season.

New attractions this year include Paul Busse’s Enchanted Express model railway exhibition traveling throughout the Conservatory; a display of original Currier & Ives lithographs on loan from the Nationwide collection; and more than two dozen entries from the Conservatory’s inaugural gingerbread competition.

In addition, visitors and members will be delighted by the more than 1,100 poinsettias of nearly 100 varieties on display throughout the Conservatory, including the much-loved poinsettia trees. Also, the Ohio Christmas Tree Association has placed live evergreens from Ohio tree farms inside and outside the Conservatory.

The Conservatory continues its ever-popular candlelight nights. On Wednesdays in December from 5 until 8 p.m., hundreds of votives are placed throughout the Conservatory bringing a seasonal glow to the entire building. Live music performers are scheduled for each evening and a cash bar is available.

Holiday themed family activities and programs are scheduled for the afternoons of Dec. 26, 27 and 28 and story times for children aged four and up and their adults will take place on Jan. 2 and 3, 2008.

“A few new elements have been added to the annual favorites for this year’s ‘Holidays at the Conservatory’,” says Bruce Harkey, executive director of the Franklin Park Conservatory. “Visitors of all ages will find something to delight in: model trains, poinsettias, gingerbread creations, nostalgic lithographs, candlelight and holiday ambience.”

Franklin Park Conservatory is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Conservatory is also open on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day and closed on Christmas Day.

Holidays at the Conservatory Event Happenings/Attractions:

* Currier & Ives Lithographs from the Nationwide Collection

The 17 lithographs displayed at Franklin Park Conservatory represent the finest large winter scenes from the Nationwide collection of Currier & Ives prints, which includes nearly 300 originals that reflect scenes of rural life, period sports, city life, and significant events.

Nationwide began their collection in 1936 when the Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (which was renamed Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company in 1955) moved into its new headquarters on North High Street in downtown Columbus. The reception area of the executive offices was in need of art and Company President Murray Lincoln and his wife Anne suggested Currier & Ives prints.

The first prints purchased by Nationwide were large rural scenes, reflecting Farm Bureau’s roots in the farming community. Many of the scenes depict New England snow scenes, which are among the rarest and most sought after. In the ensuing years, the Nationwide collection grew mainly through the efforts of W. E. West, former Vice President Treasurer/Controller. Parts of the collection have exhibited numerous times, including a touring exhibition of Civil War battle scenes for the war’s centennial anniversary and most recently for a major exhibition at the Ohio University Insurance Institute in 2000.


* Gingerbread Competition Entries
On display now through the holiday season. Entries in the Conservatory’s Gingerbread competition, inspired by the current exhibition, Enchanted Express, will be on display throughout the holiday season. This is the first year for this contest, and the submissions are as delightful as they are sweet!

* Candlelight Nights
Wednesdays, December 12, 19 and 26. Candlelight Nights, held from 5 until 8 p.m., feature the Conservatory aglow with hundreds of candles, and holiday entertainment in the Grand Atrium.

* Enchanted Express
October 13, 2007 through March 30, 2008.

Enchanted Express, a garden railway, journeys through the Conservatory’s plant collections past eight small-scale architectural wonders of the world crafted of natural materials. The adventure continues through the Conservatory’s Show House to imaginary places and the homes of well-known fairy tale characters, including Rapunzel, the Three Little Pigs and the Old Woman in the Shoe. Enchanted Express was created by famed garden railroad designer, Paul Busse, known for his holiday garden railway at New York Botanical Garden. 

For more information, visit the Conservatory’s Web site at www.fpconservatory.org.