Milwaukee’s iconic horticultural Domes have achieved a long-sought historic status.
The Wisconsin Historical Society announced June 5 that the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservancy, affectionately called the Domes, is now listed on the State Register of Historic Places.
The Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd., now appear on the Wisconsin Historical Society’s online database. The entry notes architect Donald L. Grieb’s contributions to the Modern Movement.
The conservancy “exemplifies the engineering innovations of concrete, aluminum and glass during the mid-century,” the historical society said in a news release.
The Domes’ status is also pending on the National Register of Historic Places. The Wisconsin State Review Board has approved nomination to the national register, and the National Park Service is undertaking a final review.
“The Domes have always belonged to Milwaukee. Now they take their place on the state stage — and we are one step closer to the future they deserve,” the Milwaukee Domes Alliance posted on Facebook.
The Domes have long faced uncertainty – a few years ago, the county considered demolishing them – but the latest redevelopment project is moving forward with plans for renovations, a cafe and indoor children’s garden.
Part of that plan relies on $18.7 million from state and federal historic preservation tax credits, which reimburse construction costs that follow preservation standards. The National Trust for Historic Preservation authored a 2019 report that suggested using those credits.
The State Building Commission also provided a $2 million grant last month toward the Milwaukee Domes Alliance’s $115 million fundraising goal.
The conservancy features a tropical, desert and show dome. A “Glass Under Glass” exhibit, featuring stained-glass and hand-painted artworks, runs in the show dome June 6 through Sept. 7.
Tom Daykin from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contributed to this story. Hope Karnopp can be reached at HKarnopp@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee’s Domes are now listed on Wisconsin’s state historic register
Reporting by Hope Karnopp, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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By Hope Karnopp, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
