Wright Park is a
arboretum
An arboretum (plural: arboreta) in a general sense is a botanical collection composed exclusively of trees of a variety of species. Originally mostly created as a section in a larger garden or park for specimens of mostly non-local species, man ...
and public park located in
Tacoma, Washington, that is managed by
Metro Parks Tacoma. The park was designed by
Bavarian
landscape architect
A landscape architect is a person who is educated in the field of landscape architecture. The practice of landscape architecture includes: site analysis, site inventory, site planning, land planning, planting design, grading, storm water manageme ...
Edward Otto Schwagerl
Edward is an English given name. It is derived from the Anglo-Saxon name ''Ēadweard'', composed of the elements '' ēad'' "wealth, fortune; prosperous" and '' weard'' "guardian, protector”.
History
The name Edward was very popular in Anglo-Sax ...
. The park was named in honor of
Charles Barstow Wright
Charles Barstow Wright (January 8, 1822 – March 24, 1898) was a United States financier.
Biography
Wright was born in Bradford County, Pennsylvania on January 8, 1822. He started in business at 15, and at 19 was taken as a partner by his employ ...
, who had donated the land for the project.
Description
The arboretum contains over 700 mature trees, representing about 100 native and exotic species.
Several artworks are installed in the park, including a
bust of
Henrik Ibsen
Henrik Johan Ibsen (; ; 20 March 1828 – 23 May 1906) was a Norwegian playwright and theatre director. As one of the founders of modernism in theatre, Ibsen is often referred to as "the father of realism" and one of the most influential playw ...
, the
Greek maidens nicknamed "Annie" and "Fannie", ''
Fisherman's Daughter'', ''
Trilogy'', and a pair of lions.
W. W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory
The W. W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory is a Victorian-style conservatory located in Wright Park. Built in 1907, it was named in honor of donor William W. Seymour. Designed by Isaac J. Knapp, its wings and twelve-sided central dome contain some 3,500 panes of glass. Six sculptures created by former conservator Clarence Deming rest among the plants and reflect
African,
Māori, and
Aztec traditions.
The conservatory contains more than 550 plant
species in its permanent collection, including
agapanthus, azaleas, bromeliads, cactus, cacti, clivias, cymbidium, epiphyllum, ferns, ficus, figs, more than 200 orchids, arecaceae, palms, and rhododendrons. It also contains a rotating exhibit of floral displays that generally features between 300-500 blooming plants at any given time.
The conservatory was featured in several scenes in the 1992 film ''The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (film), The Hand that Rocks the Cradle'',
starring Annabella Sciorra and Rebecca De Mornay and directed by Curtis Hanson.
See also
* List of botanical gardens in the United States
* List of Registered Historic Places in Pierce County, Washington
References
Sources
*
External links
Wright Park- official site
W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory- official site
{{Authority control
Arboreta in Washington (state)
Botanical gardens in Washington (state)
Geography of Tacoma, Washington
Greenhouses in Washington (state)
Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Washington (state)
National Register of Historic Places in Tacoma, Washington
Parks in Pierce County, Washington
Tourist attractions in Tacoma, Washington