South Elmwood in Providence in Providence County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)
Botanical Center
Roger Williams Park
From the naturalized landscape that designer Horace W.S. Cleveland inspired to display gardens and chrysanthemum shows that sprouted over the years, visitors could always find a plant of interest in the Park. The Park historically housed several greenhouses, but over time this location became the hub.
Today's Botanical Center features two greenhouses from a donation by Charles H. Smith in 1964, and two additions made in 2007. With the addition of the Conservatory and Mediterranean Room, the facility is the largest publicly owned indoor-display garden in New England. More than 150 different species and cultivars of plants offer the community a tropical oasis and access to plants not grown in Rhode Island's climate.
Did you know?
Did you realize that you're on an island? Noonan Island was named after former Superintendent of Parks, Martin F. Noonan.
Information and photos courtesy of the RWP Museum of Natural History archives and "The Jewel of Providence by David Marshall.
[Captions:]
From top left, a postcard shows an English garden on Noonan Island, Greenhouse Superintendent Alfred Frye survey the greenhouse in the 1930s; flowers grow abundantly; a floral flag on display in the 1940s; current tropicals in the Conservatory.
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1964.
Location. 41° 47.014′ N, 71° 24.422′ W. Marker is in Providence, Rhode Island, in Providence County. It is in South Elmwood. Marker is on Floral Avenue south of Cladrastis Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Floral Ave, Providence RI 02905, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Monkey Island (a few steps from this marker); Marconi (approx. ¼ mile away); Dalrymple Boathouse (approx. ¼ mile away); Carousel (approx. 0.4 miles away); Museum of Natural History and Planetarium (approx. 0.4 miles away); Seal House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Sea Lions (approx. 0.4 miles away); Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Providence.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 34 times since then and 4 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 7, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
