Greenhouse Conservatory

The greenhouse is an original feature of the 1910 Beaux Arts style home built by Albert and Elizabeth Beardsley. Elizabeth, the first lady of Ruthmere, loved flowers. Her husband Albert had the greenhouse built for her so she could enjoy her plants year round. A forty foot tunnel connects the main house to the greenhouse so she would not be exposed to the outdoor elements in the winter. The tunnel has painted canvas walls featuring the Italian Lake District, which was one of the Beardsley’s favorite vacation spots. In the late nineteenth century the greenhouse was a place where exotic and more diversified plant varieties could be grown in a controlled temperature. Orchids, fuchsia and lilies were considered rare plants at this time and required conservatories. Today plants raised inside the greenhouse continue to be varieties from the nineteenth century through 1945.

The greenhouse is in need of several repairs. If you are interested in helping Ruthmere restore our greenhouse, please contact a staff member for more information.