A Breath of Fresh Air

Artwork by Michael DiMilo

By Geoff Carter

Like almost everyone, my wife and I had family come into town come to see us during the holidays. We had a very nice visit, and, on their last day here, we had to decide between going to Milwaukee County Zoo or the Mitchell Park Horticultural Domes. There has been quite a blitz of commercials lately about the Domes, encouraging Milwaukee area residents to pay them a visit. This ad blitz is probably because the domes are in a state of disrepair and there has been talk of raising taxes to fix them, privatizing them, or even—possibly—tearing them down. We decided to go.

If you’re not familiar with them, The Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory, better known as the Mitchell Park Domes, consists of three glass geodesic domes that house different climates: desert, tropical, and the show dome, which hosts a series of seasonal exhibits in a temperate climate. The structures are eighty-five feet tall, have a one hundred forty feet diameter, and were built in the mid-sixties. In 2017, The National Trust for Historical Preservation has declared the Domes a national treasure. They’re kind of space-age greenhouses—a comparison that even stands up today. There is nothing else like them anywhere.

Although I drive by them nearly every day, I hadn’t been there since I was a child, so I thought going there would be a great idea—and besides, I figured they probably needed all the help they could get. And so, we all set out on the family expedition. It was a pleasant surprise to see that the parking lot was full and that there was a longish line, about twenty minutes, to get in. It was sunny winter afternoon, so we didn’t mind the wait. 

After we paid a very reasonable entrance fee, we entered the lobby and made our way to the first dome, the show dome, which was hosting the annual Holiday Show “Calm and Bright”. A huge and beautifully decorated Christmas tree dominated the center space. Hundreds of brilliantly colored poinsettias, (including poinsettia trees—a novelty to me), decorated the grounds. A sleigh, a gazebo, and Santa’s Chair were available for family photos. And, as in any conservatory, hundreds of different plant species were scattered along the winding walkway. 

Dozens of people were making their way through the beautiful trail. A young girl was taking photos of nearly every plant—a botanist to be. Families, old couples, and young couples of all stripes made up the diverse crowd. I heard at least four different languages being spoken. We ran into a young man wearing a sweatshirt adorned with the legend “Farm to Bong” on it and got into a very interesting discussion of the cultivation—and politicization—of legal marijuana. 

We then made our way to our next stop, the Desert Dome, which contains flora from desert climates ranging from species native to Africa to Australia to Chile to Mexico. We walked along the winding path past dozens of succulents, cacti—including massive barrel cacti and a monstrous Saguaro, and enjoyed the distinctive Madagascar and Canary Island collections. We also ran into various medicinal plants including a vast aray of Aloes, Prickly Pears, and different types of Agaves (which give us tequila, raicilla, and mescal). And, of course, there was Steve, the residnt bearded dragon, who was holding court in his comfortably heated terrarium.

Then we went into the third stop at the conservatory, The Tropical Dome, home to flora from the jungles of South America, Southeast Asia, and Africa. As soon as the sliding doors opened, we were embraced by the humid warmth and oxygen-rich air produced by this tropical biome. The plants in this dome are structured like a tropical jungle, starting—from the top down—with an emergent layer, a canopy, an understory, and—of course, the forest floor. The winding path took us past some familiar types of houseplants including philodendrons, ferns, and bromeliads, and other familiar species like the surprisingly skinny mahogany trees and a towering date palm. A small pool populated with koi fish, some twenty years and older, dominated the center of this man-made jungle. Birds flittered through the upper reaches of the canopy and a display of beautiful orchids stood in a small space off the main trail. And, just ahead of us—amidst much squealing and applause, a young man proposed to his girlfriend.

I took my time to stand and admire this beautiful living display and to breathe in the rich fresh air of these hothouse flowers. I’m lucky enough to live across the street from a greenhouse. Sometimes, in the winter, I used to take my daughter over to visit. Walking into that rich fragrant atmosphere was a revelation—a promise. Spring would not be far off.

While this may not have been as exciting an excursion as going to a movie or a Bucks game, it was a beautiful and relaxing experience. Reminding ourselves of the vast array and unique beauty of life on this planet is restorative—and maybe inspirational. Those feelings, together with the pride of enjoying one of Milwaukee’s architectural crown jewels, was well worth the trip. 

Wisconsin winters can be long, dark, cold, and miserable. The Mitchell Park Domes can transport us away from the gray slush, the gripping cold, and the biting wind into new worlds of the mystery of life. We can smell the roses, breathe the rich fragrant air, and enjoy the exotic—and all for a price that is fair below the admission price of many comparable places. 

Stepping into a holiday extravaganza, a desert wonderland, and a tropical forest, even for a short time, was more than just a breath of fresh air. It was a small slice of heaven.