Lauritzen Gardens

History

Plans to open a botanical center in Omaha were first proposed in the early 1970s. The proposed botanical center never made it to construction and was cancelled. In 1982, following the Des Moines Botanical Center's opening, Omaha Botanical Center Inc. announced the development of a similar development. It wasn't until 1988 that concrete plans were announced for the botanical gardens.

While the center was offered land from Union Pacific on its former shops area, developers instead chose a site closer to the Henry Doorly Zoo. The site was a former garbage dump, which was cleared in 1981. The botanical center encountered several delays. While planting was intended to start in 1989, it wasn't until 1993 that the center began planting. It opened in April 1994 as Omaha Botanical Gardens.

In March 2000, a $16 million visitor's and education center was announced. Designed by HDR and Christner, the building would be 32000 sqft large. The building included a Floral Display Hall for year-round seasonal displays, a gift shop, a cafe, and a special events center. The center officially opened in 2001. That same year, the center changed its name to Lauritzen Gardens, named for the Lauritzen Family.[[File:Ripe crab apple fruit.jpg|thumb|Ripe crab apple fruit at the gardens.]]The model railroad garden opened in 2007. The Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory, a $20 million greenhouse addition, opened in 2014. The conservatory is a glass building that is 17,000 sqft large. In 2025, Lauritzen Gardens opened Sofia's Play Garden, a playground located to the north of the visitors center. That same year, the Daugherty Conservatory underwent renovations.

Design

Lauritzen Gardens has a total area of 100 acre and is named for the Lauritzen Family. The gardens have two buildings, the visitor center and the Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory. The visitors center includes 32000 sqft of space and the conservatory includes 17,000 sqft of space. Also included is Sofia's Play Garden, located North of the visitors center, and a model railroad garden.

References

References

1. (1982-11-21). "Interest Here". Omaha World-Herald.
2. (1988-09-10). "Site Announcement Due Soon". Omaha World-Herald.
3. (1991-03-12). "UP makes land donation offer". Telegraph.
4. (1993-05-18). "Botanical Center to Begin Planting". Omaha World-Herald.
5. (1994-04-22). "Omaha Botanical Gardens Shows Off Spring Colors". Omaha World-Herald.
6. (2000-03-18). "Well-Tended Plot Grows, Matures". Omaha World-Herald.
7. (2001-10-03). "New name, new look for gardens". Omaha World-Herald.
8. (2007-07-08). "Lauritzen Gardens opens model railroad garden". Lincoln Journal Star.
9. (2014-10-19). "Lauritzen Gardens Conservatory is a clear winner". Lincoln Journal Star.
10. (2025-05-23). "Lauritzen Gardens set to open new addition Monday".
11. (2025-08-19). "'A completely new experience': Lauritzen Gardens begins planting in updated conservatory".
12. "Lauritzen Gardens".