Originally built in 1895, Franklin Park Conservatory is a botanical garden located in Columbus, Ohio. It is a premier horticultural and educational institution that showcases exotic plant collections, special exhibitions and artwork. With an annual budget of more than $4 million, the conservatory has a staff of over 100 employees and nearly 400 volunteers. Franklin Park Conservatory offers a range of educational classes for school groups, families and individuals of all ages. Its extensive plant collections and special exhibitions provide hands-on learning opportunities about the natural world and gardening. Today, Franklin Park Conservatory is the only botanical garden in the world to own a permanent signature collection from Dale Chihuly, an internationally acclaimed glass artist. As part of its focus on combining horticulture with fine arts, the conservatory unites nature s beauty with Chihuly s chandeliers, Niijima floats and other art forms.