Centennial Conservatory, Botanical garden in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Centennial Conservatory is a greenhouse facility in Thunder Bay with separate sections displaying tropical plants, cacti, and rotating seasonal exhibits. The building houses a diverse range of plant species grown under controlled indoor conditions.
Construction began in 1965 and was largely finished in 1966, leaving a year for seeding and growing. The Centennial Conservatory opened to the public on November 10, 1967, with the official ceremony held on November 18, as a Centennial Project donated to the citizens of Fort William. It closed temporarily in February 2012 when glass fell from the ceiling, and renovations were carried out in three phases between 2020 and 2026.
The conservatory serves as a gathering place where visitors connect with plant life from around the world and learn about natural ecosystems. People come here to experience how plants grow in different climates and to understand their role in our lives.
The site is easily accessible and provides parking for visitors, including dedicated spaces for group coaches and tour buses. Guided tours are available to help visitors learn about the plant collections.
In 1968, a year after opening, the Canadian Daughters Assembly 34 donated a large banana plant to the conservatory. The cactus room and the seasonal display room are separate from the main tropical greenhouse, and the grounds also hold a wishing well.
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